THE OF GIVING Joy Steph Weibring's Art of Thoughtful Giving

By Kate Ward

Pop into Steph Weibring's Joy Creative Shop off Forest Lane, and you will be immersed in a bright, cheerful, and perfectly organized space. Vibrantly patterned wrapping paper, adorned with playful and imaginative designs, stands proudly beside shelves filled with stickers and notepads in cheerful hues like poppy, turquoise, orange, and mint. Stripes, dots, and paper products in distinctively cool fonts beckon you to pick them up. Pens of all colors wait neatly next to paper pads, enticing you to jot something. At the helm of this paper paradise is Preston Hollow resident Steph Weibring.

Steph and her husband both hail from North Texas. "I am so proud to be born and raised Texan!" Steph says proudly. "I was born in Plano, Texas. I met Matt riding the school bus from Plano to Bishop Lynch High School when I was a freshman! Fast forward many years and several moves. We loved the idea of the Preston Hollow area. For us, we're set on Catholic school for our family. We knew Preston Hollow had many school options that were close by, so it was a perfect fit to settle down and start our family."

Their three children—Marlie (15), Ben (12), and Charlie (8)—keep their family bustling on the weekends with basketball (Marlie will play with Bishop Lynch this winter), golf, lacrosse, soccer, and baseball (Ben & Charlie). Matt has greatly influenced the children's pursuits on the field. He played sports in high school, college, and even professionally as a golfer.

Steph's career began at the University of Oklahoma, where she first dipped her toes into the world of graphic design. After a brief detour to the University of Cincinnati, where her love for the craft blossomed, she returned to OU, graduating with a degree that paved the way for her future. "I started my first stationery and greeting card business as a senior at OU and found my way to Joy Creative Shop in 2010," Steph shares.

Fast-forward to 2010, shortly after the birth of her first child, Marlie. Like many new moms, Steph was navigating the complex balance between her work and her new role as a mother. As her babies grew and became more independent, Steph was able to dedicate more time to her fledgling stationery business.

"I've grown my business side by side with my growing family," Steph reflects with a smile. "I started right after Marlie was born, and as the kids grew, so did Joy Creative Shop." She describes her early years working during nap times and late into the night, balancing the needs of her young family while also nurturing the business. "Once they were all in school full-time, it marked a huge turning point," Steph explains. "That’s when I shifted from growing to scaling the business. I have had moments of feeling behind, or our growth has been slow, but it's truly been the perfect timing, and I'm right where I want to be in my family life and business life. The key as a young mom was finding something that I enjoyed and was good at to keep involved in my creative life, and when I had more time, I was able to go a bit faster, rather than wondering, 'What will I do now that I have all this time back.' It's a juggling act, but one I'm so grateful for."

Her family has been a critical support system throughout this journey. "They've all been a part of it—helping with pop-up shops, counting envelopes, or even, in Charlie's case, covering himself in stickers and declaring himself the Joy Creative Shop mascot," Steph laughs. The Weibring kids have grown up watching their mom work tirelessly, and they've witnessed firsthand the joy, hard work, commitment, and fulfillment that come from running a small business. "I'm proud that they think of me as a stay-athome mom, even though I've been working on my business every step of the way. They've seen me live out my passion, and that's something I hope they carry with them."

In the Weibring household, gifting is a heartfelt way of expressing love and care for family and friends, rooted in the selfless joy of making others feel special. "We've always taught our kids the importance of giving thoughtful gifts," Steph explains. From a young age, Marlie, Ben, and Charlie were guided through the process of selecting gifts, not just to pick out items but to thoughtfully consider why each gift would be meaningful to the recipient. "We've always focused on the joy that comes from finding the perfect gift and watching the receiver's reaction."

One story, in particular, stands out in Steph's mind—the year Ben gifted his grandmother ten packs of Handi-Wipes for Christmas. "He knows she always carries them with her, so it was the perfect, thoughtful gift. My mom thought it was hilarious, and it just goes to show how much the kids pay attention to the little things," Steph says, beaming. It's these kinds of moments that fuel her philosophy behind Joy Creative Shop, where she helps busy moms—and anyone else—gift thoughtfully and beautifully.

"We often say at JCS that sometimes we are the gift, sometimes we're the accessory, but we always want to be part of the thoughtfulness behind it."

While Steph appreciates the convenience of a last-minute Amazon gift, she believes that nothing beats the impact of a thoughtfully wrapped, personalized present. "A personalized gift shows that you've thought ahead, planned, and made the effort," she explains. "It's about making the receiver feel special, knowing that they were on your mind."

When asked about the best gift she's ever received, Steph pauses. "That's a tough one," she admits. "I love unique, out-ofthe-box gifts, especially art. Some of my favorite gifts have been pieces from local Dallas artists like Carrie Song and Katie Craig. I love giving art, too—it's such a personal and meaningful gift."

Beyond the walls of Joy Creative Shop and the bustle of family life, Steph and her family have found a community they love in Preston Hollow. Having moved to the area in 2011 after living in Plano for six years, they knew they wanted to settle somewhere close to the Catholic schools they'd envisioned for their kids. Preston Hollow, with its mature neighborhoods and central location, was the perfect fit. "We love it here," Steph says warmly. "I feel safe; our neighbors are kind, and it's a place where our kids can explore freely."

The family often takes advantage of their proximity to the Northaven Trail, where they walk or ride bikes together. "I feel so fortunate to have access to that—it's one of the things we love most about living here." When they're not outdoors, you can often find them grabbing a quick lunch at Torchy's or The Gem or enjoying dinner at local favorites like Hudson House, Onesan, or Remmy's. For Steph, who runs the JCS office and shop near Preston & Forest, the convenience of having so many great spots nearby is just another reason why Preston Hollow feels like home.

As Steph Weibring tidies up the shelves of her shop before closing for the day, surrounded by colors, patterns, and thoughtful details, she reflects on the journey that brought her here. "The magic is in the details," she says. "Whether it's a beautifully wrapped gift or a handwritten note, it's those little things that make life more joyful." For Steph, Joy Creative Shop is more than a business—it's her way of spreading that magic, one thoughtful moment at a time.