My Biz: Letter writing a “mindful way to spend time”

Name: Niki Neems

Title: Owner

Company: RSV.P

Address: 140 North Linn St., Iowa City

Phone: (319) 337-4400

Website: http://www.rsvp-asap.com/

Elevator speech: Purveyor of pretty paper products and sundries

Niki Neems believes in the power of writing, in particular writing letters.

It's becoming a lost art in a fast-paced world.

“We could do ourselves a big favor if we slowed down,” Neems said. “We could tell people they matter to us in more meaningful and honest ways.

“It's a mindful and intentional way to spend your time.”

It's fitting then, as owner of RSVP in Iowa City, that she spends her days surrounded by stationery and greetings cards.

At RSVP, shoppers will find greeting cards and invitations - for baby showers and holiday parties to elegant wedding invitations - as well as jewelry, candles and whimsical children's novelties, Neems said.

“We have a lot of gift items under $30. They make great stocking stuffers for the holidays,” she said.

“And 90 percent of what we sell is artisan based, 1- to 5-woman or -man shows. The price point is a little higher because people are producing their own product.”

Christmas seems a particularly fitting time marker, given the significance the holiday holds for her small business.

“Some of us bank on that two-month period,” she said.

She does what she can to remind people to shop locally - “even if 1/10th of the shopping is shifted to us, it doesn't have to be hundreds of dollars. If shoppers consciously chose to use that money locally, it makes a world of difference for us - and I think I speak for everyone down here when I say that.”

Neems opened RSVP in 1998 - taking inspiration from a fast-track business course at the University of Iowa - after working as a speech pathologist for several years. She considers herself not only owner of RSVP, but also buyer, sales rep, the marketing department, window washer and janitor.

“This is not a hobby job,” Neems said. “It's a real job and it's a good job, challenging and rewarding all at the same time.”

RSVP's original location on Washington Street took advantage of heavy foot traffic in Iowa City's ped mall.

“As a new business with not a lot of money for advertising, that space served me well,” she recalled.

After several years, however, Neems realized it was more space than RSVP needed.

“This will be our sixth Christmas here,” she said of her location on North Linn Street. “I moved a year before the economic downturn, and if I had stayed there I don't know that I would have survived it ....

“I grew up in a family business, knowing our neighbors and that's what I searched out. This shop combines my love of language and a need for community,” Neems said.

“The retail part is sort of what I knew. It's a nice luxury to make money, but our goals with RSVP have been much more community-focused.”