Meet Kara Gordon – Magnificent Milestones

{Kara Gordon – owner of Magnificent Milestones}

I am happy I got to show you my business cards the other day. But that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Kara Gordon, the owner behind River North’s Magnificent Milestones – a paperie with a Chicago accent. Her resume includes Martha Stewart Wedding, The Knot, Brides Magazine and the list goes on! She agreed to answer a few questions for Cedar and Rush on the success of starting her own business, unique gift ideas and a few of her favorite places in Chicago. Enjoy!

{inside}

Cedar & Rush: I LOVE the name Magnificent Milestones – were there any other names in the running? 

Kara Gordon: Not really! I knew I wanted something happy and Chicago, so when this one came to mind, it was a done deal!

C&R: What is (in your opinion) Magnificent Milestones’ biggest “milestone”? 

KG: Moving to our current space in River North. Not only was it a larger space but business tripled in one year. The new space gave us the room we needed to grow.

C&R: What is the most surprising successful service/item sold in your store? 

KG: The most surprising thing that people want to buy are the framed invitations in the front of the store. They aren’t for sale, but part of a display showcasing some of our favorite wedding invitations. Each one is paired with a beautiful wallpaper backer and frame… so a similar concept (that IS for sale) is coming to the store very soon!

{framed invitations}

{unique bride, groom and bridesmaids gifts}

{darling baby and kid gifts too!}

C&R: The holiday’s are on the horizon which means lots of parties – any suggestions on unique hostess gifts or a spin on the traditional go to’s (aka a bottle of wine, dish cloth, wine stopper, etc.)? 

KG: My favorite go-to hostess gift is custom napkins or coasters. They are super reasonable in price. If time doesn’t allow for custom orders, we have initialed votive candles and hand soap that make a great gift, too!

{monogrammed napkins –  start at $54}

{customized coasters – so many options! – start at $58}

{lettered candles – these smell amazing!}

C&R: For those that prefer going off wedding registries, any fun gift ideas for the bride and groom who have everything? 

KG: Yes! Our most popular wedding gift is the Alexander + Co. framed prints. It is what I give to every couple! 

{customized Alexander + Co. framed prints – perfect for the couple that has everything!}

{framed posters are $300 for 18×24 // $500 for 24×36}

C&R: I hear Magnificent Milestones throws some great little parties/events. Can you tell us a little bit about those and how we get on the list? 

KG: We do love our parties! We host trunk shows, workshops, book signings… all sort of fun things! To hear about upcoming events, sign up for our newsletter here (bottom corner).

{in love with these monogrammed zip up bags – they come in every letter}

C&R: You are very well known for wedding invitations – what other events or services do you offer that people may not know about? 

KG: We do all things paper! Baby shower invitations, baby announcements, personal and business stationery, etc. We also create some darling welcome gifts for guests coming to Chicago. We are revamping these offerings. Great new things coming soon!

{cards galore}

{hot dog cookies}

{“el” pillows and “Chicago city map” blankets}

C&R: What was your job prior to opening Magnificent Milestones?

KG: I worked in the corporate world, planning events and designing invitations. Needless to say, the corporate world wasn’t for me, so I took the leap after only a couple years.

C&R: What inspired you to go from the idea of starting Magnificent Milestones to ACTUALLY doing it?

KG: Honestly, it was boredom and frustration in my corporate role. I knew that if I wasn’t happy doing it at 25, I wouldn’t be happy doing it longterm. It was the perfect time to try it: I wasn’t married, I didn’t have children. If it didn’t work, I could always go back to the corporate world knowing that I at least tried.

C&R: Heels or flats? 

KG: I SO want to be cool and say heels here, but I am flats all the way.

{party essentials – fun straws, swizzle sticks, napkins, coasters and drink stirrers}

C&R: Cocktail of choice? 

KG: Just one? You will usually see me with a champagne or wine glass in hand… but I also love French martinis.

{there is even great stuff for men – I adore this cigar book…}

{…and these “gentleman’s deck of cards”}

C&R: Current favorite restaurant in Chicago? 

KG: This is so hard! Without baby: MK, With baby: The Athenian Room, and during the holidays, there is only one place I want to be: Gibson’s!