Paperless Post: James and Alexa Hirschfeld

How I Built This | Oct 7, 2024

In 2007, when James Hirschfeld got the idea to start an online invitation company, the first person he turned to for help was his older sister, Alexa. Together, they were inspired to create a brand that combined the ease of digital correspondence with the beauty of paper.

Along the way, the founders faced myriad challenges: convincing investors that people would pay for virtual paper, settling on the right business model, and—worst of all-- the existential threat of Covid. 15 years after launch - Paperless Post has sent over 650 million invitations, and has even been parodied on Saturday Night Live.

This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant, with research by J.C Howard. Our engineers were Robert Rodriguez and James Willetts.

You can follow HIBT on Twitter & Instagram and sign up for Guy's free newsletter at guyraz.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

WNYC Homepage - Top Stories

Ask Mayor Mamdani: Childcare, Pedestrian Safety & Trans Healthcare

Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayor, takes questions from listeners and talks about the big news in the city.

The Brian Lehrer Show |

I.C.E.'s "Wartime Recruitment" Campaign

Hiring at the highest-funded U.S. law enforcement agency.

On the Media |

Who is ICE detaining at NJ's Delaney Hall? Not as many criminals as DHS suggests.

More than 10,000 people have been detained at the facility. Most have no criminal background.

Gothamist |

Shakespeare in the Park Tackles "Romeo and Juliet"

All Of It with Alison Stewart |