He began printing high-quality cards that could be folded, inserted in envelopes and mailed-something that hadn’t been done before. His postcard business grew, and Hall soon recognized how giving cards, particularly on special occasions, gave people pleasure and even seemed to satisfy an emotional need.
23,578), and came to Kansas City with a pocket full of change, two boxes of postcards and an entrepreneurial spirit. Hall’s grandfather was 18 when he boarded a train in Norfolk, Neb.
"He would write their comments on the cards and match the comments with how well each card sold."
According to company history, the Hallmark patriarch watched curiously as customers perused his early greeting cards, taking careful notes as they looked at each one. "He told us about watching people shop in the early days," says his grandson Donald Hall Jr., 50, president and CEO of Hallmark Cards. For much of the company’s early success can be attributed to Hall being equally observant. Hall, who founded Hallmark Cards in 1910. In fact, Kelley’s conduct likely would have pleased Joyce C. Such behavior is not only tolerated at the world’s largest greeting card company, but encouraged. "That’s where some of the best ideas come from," says Kelley, 47, senior editorial director at Hallmark Cards Inc.
When Pam Kelley, of Olathe, Kan., is out in the "real world," she freely admits to eavesdropping on the conversations of strangers and studying the behaviors of her closest friends.