Our Story

Meet the Paper Plant Co Team!

Friedia N.
Shop Owner

Hello! This is Friedia, the owner of Paper Plant Co. As a Japanese Brazilian, my heart carries the essence of two unique cultures. My teenage years were spent in the bustling city of Tokyo, that is where my passion for creativity bloomed. I couldn't resist collecting all sorts of cute stationery items to adorn my desk.

When I moved to Los Angeles, I quickly noticed I could not find those similar stores that satisfied my stationery cravings. The dream of owning my own stationery shop had always lingered in the back of my mind, but it wasn't until after I became a mom that I finally took the plunge.

I started small, creating greeting cards and showcasing them at local shops, craft fairs, and markets. In early 2020, I finally made the bold move to open my own shop. Little did I know that the pandemic would hit us hard, but we've persevered and are still here, determined as ever.

In 2022, our shop underwent a delightful transformation and emerged as Paper Plant Co, nestled cozily alongside Thank You Coffee in the vibrant Chinatown of Los Angeles.

Our goal is simple: to bring you the special stationery tools that once inspired me during my time in Tokyo. We want to offer you pens and paper that make you want to write more, notebooks that beckon you to open them and draw, and all the items that keep the flames of creativity burning bright.

I'm incredibly grateful to all the amazing people who have supported us on this journey. Your continuous support means everything to me, and I'm humbled that you keep coming back. I'm genuinely excited to see what you'll create with the wonderful goodies from Paper Plant Co.

Claire P.
Shop Manager

Hello, I’m Claire! I am a queer Mexican-American comic artist and illustrator. My journey at Paper Plant Co began shortly after the pandemic. As a recent university graduate affected by the state of the world in 2020, I began to tap into what truly made me happy. I grabbed the closest notebook and pen I had and wrote down a few things: drawing, stickers, pens… the list went on. I noticed a trend– they were all things I loved as a child. Suddenly, I remembered how I would buy scented putty erasers and cute pencils at the Sanrio store, feeling giddy when I would pick up a notebook or sketchbook for the new school year, and saving up my loose change to purchase stickers! I remembered that these creative tools and goods made me incredibly happy. That passion was dormant while I focused on school. 

So, when the world had to pause a few years ago it also gave me time to think:

What can I do to make every day meaningful?
How do I learn to love this precious, little life of mine?
Where can I seek creative inspiration?

I discovered Friedia’s shop on Instagram in early 2021 after noticing a post saying they were seeking interns. Since I was living really close by, I stopped by the shop. I think it’s no exaggeration to say it was love at first sight! I noticed this small stationery shop in the heart of Chinatown carried a variety of cute and functional tools that sparked my creativity and brought out my inner child. Now, a few years later, I’m pleased to say it’s been such a wonderful journey. I’ve learned so much, met so many wonderful people, and have constantly seen the beauty in the stationery community. Every day I get the opportunity to appreciate the little things, heal my inner child, and pursue the small details that make this precious life a meaningful one. My wish is that Paper Plant Co can also be that space for you. 

Amy D.
Shop Assistant

Hi friends this is Amy! I’m a queer Chinese-Korean American illustrator currently based in Long Beach, California. My work tends to be playful + full of color drawing inspiration from childhood memories, culture, and mental health.Spending the majority of my childhood in Tangshan, China, one of my most treasured memories was getting to explore the numerous corner shops around town. These little shops were filled with toys, snacks, and often had an extensive stationery section. Looking back, I think this is where my appreciation for stationery had all started.When I first discovered Paper Plant Co. in early 2024, I was overjoyed to be in a space filled with so much cute stationery and delicious scent of coffee. In the past couple of months, I’ve learned so much about new creative tools and always excited to know more! I’m endless grateful for the community here and look forward to growing together with Paper Plant Co.!

Michelle M.
Shop Assistant

Hello all! Michelle (she/her/they/them) here - I am a queer Latina from Los Angeles, CA and I’m a scholar & stationery nerd. My academic passions revolve around archives & libraries, Latin American studies, and art history. I am part of the organization team for L.A. Zine Fest which has deepened my appreciation for both community and zines.

In my free time, I love writing in my journals and weeks, watching tv, movies & anime, reading webtoons, comics & zines, building legos, collecting vinyls, thrifting, and playing video games. My love for stationery started as a kid at the Sanrio store in Culver City and it only progressed from there! I am drawn to all things cute, coffee, prints, pens & stickers, so when I visited Paper Plant Co. for the first time, I fell in love! I am so happy and grateful to build community with you all!

Julia Z.
Shop Assistant

Working with stationery brings a nostalgic bliss to my days, as I’ve always had a deep appreciation for beautifully crafted paper goods. I rely on pen and paper every day, so being part of the Paper Plant team feels like a dream come true! When I'm not working, I love watching movies—especially scary ones! Going camping, playing basketball, swimming, taking pictures, drinking coffee, riding my bike, and cooking with my lovely girlfriend are what I rate as top-notch activities! Let's chat when you come by the store : )

Alex D.
Shop Assistant

Hellou~ I’m Alex, I look forward to meeting you! I hail from Mexico, and I originally came over to the US to study and pursue a career in art! I fell in love with the people here and I’ve been lucky enough to participate in a few animated shows as a vis dev or background design artist, depending on the needs of the project. While drawing my days away, the stationery I used was not only integral to keeping myself organized, but also helped me remain inspired. I’m a massive stationery fan, I love how clever and thoughtful these tools are! Finding specialty stationery in a sea of strict plain tools feels like a triumph so I treasured the days I got to visit Friedia’s store in Chinatown. Therefore, when the opportunity came to work a few days a week for the store I knew I had to do my best to jump on it!I love the contrast of both my jobs! I feel it brings balance to my life since working from home can get lonely sometimes, and I love meeting and chatting with all sorts of people, specially stationery fans who in my opinion are the gentlest most interesting customers a store could have. In my free time I love to play video games, read, go to Zumba with my dear friend Aki, and right now I’m working on learning Japanese! So feel free to visit and we can chat about stationery and many more things!

Illustrations by Claire! (@umeclaire)