Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Remer.
Hi Abigail, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I’m Abigail Remer—Abby for short! I’ve been happily married to my husband, Dallas, for 5 years. We have an energetic 18-month-old son named Archie and two lovable, chubby dogs, Copper and Penny. This is the story of how my small business was started…
My teenage years were a struggle, and I honestly wasn’t sure I’d even graduate. That all changed when my grandparents, Mike and Beth Taranto, stepped in. They offered me the opportunity to live with them and finish my education at Butler High School, where I graduated in 2012. At that point, I never imagined I’d attend college, but to my surprise, I was accepted into Cottey College and went on to earn my Associate of Arts degree.
From there, I continued my education at the University of Central Missouri, studying Graphic Design and Marketing. After graduating, I worked at our local newspaper until it unfortunately shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During my time there, I had several design clients, many of whom were Old Order Mennonites. They relied on me for everything from newsletters and catalogs to retail items for their businesses. Realizing I could offer more, I began researching how to start my own LLC. My first step was to invest in a large production printer, followed by securing a paper supplier.
Initially, I planned to run the business from home, but once again, my grandparents came to the rescue. They offered me space at their company, Solar Shade USA, and even had a custom horse and buggy hitching post made for my clients! Their unwavering support truly made it possible for me to pursue my dreams.
As my business grew, I knew it was time to branch out and find my own space. I moved closer to town to make it more convenient for my clients and increase visibility for my “English” customers. I also hired a full-time employee, Carlie, to help keep things running smoothly.
I’m incredibly grateful for the love and support of my grandparents—without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running a small local business is never without its challenges. There are the usual technical hurdles—funding issues, machinery breaking down, and the constant juggling act of trying to take a vacation without everything falling apart. But the real challenge is finding balance—balancing being a mother while owning and running a successful business. A lot of people think that owning your own business offers more freedom and flexibility. In reality, it often feels like the opposite. In this line of work, I’m required to complete projects quickly, and some of them come with strict deadlines. That pressure means I’m constantly pulled away from the things I want to do as a mom.
If my child is sick, he’s either coming to work with me or I’m missing work entirely. As both the lead graphic designer and the business owner, missing work only adds to the anxiety. I love my family deeply, and I’m passionate about my work, but the challenge of balancing both is something I’m still learning to navigate every day.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Gail’s Graphics Design & Print Shop offers a wide range of printed products, including but not limited to: Address Labels (which we proudly ship from Canada to Belize), Cookbooks, Books, Catalogs, Stickers, Magnets, Banners, Invitations, Envelopes, Business Cards, Carbonless Invoices, Stationery, Bulk Mailing, and much more. While we are internationally recognized for our high-quality Address Labels, locally, we are best known for our product labels, book publishing, catalogs, and bulk mailing services. We take great pride in the books we’ve published and the custom labels we design. What sets us apart is our personalized approach: we work closely with each customer to ensure their vision is fully realized. Whether it’s sitting at their kitchen table or taking proofs to their homes, we’re dedicated to understanding and delivering exactly what they want.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Abby Remer, Owner: I have so many childhood memories, but my absolute favorite has to be the vacations spent visiting my grandparents when they lived in Buffalo, New York, with my cousins—Bailey, Braidey, and Evan. We had some unforgettable adventures together, but one that stands out the most was our trip to SeaWorld. Finally getting to see the Killer Whales perform was a dream come true for me. I’ve always been a HUGE Free Willy fan, so seeing those majestic whales up close was like living out my childhood obsession.
Carlie Ridenour, Employee: I don’t remember much from my childhood, but there’s one story my mother loves to tell. We went to Disney World, and at some point, they sprinkled pixie dust on me. From then on, I kept telling her, “I AM FLYING!” for the rest of the day. I must’ve truly believed it, and it makes me smile every time she shares that memory.
Pricing:
- Business Cards Starting at $25
- Address Labels $2.25 per sheet
- Custom Stationery $5.00 per set
- Small Color Book Starting at $3.00 per copy
- Designing $30 per hour
Contact Info:
- Instagram: gails.graphics
- Facebook: Gail’s Graphics Design & Print Shop
