Élana Camille is the creative mind and multidisciplinary artist behind Élana Camille Creates, where her talents as an illustrator, artist, and creative content producer shine. Born in Toronto and based in Halifax, Élana was globally-raised and draws inspiration from lifestyle, food, and fashion, as well as the many countries she has visited. Her greeting cards bring in fun pops of colour with beautifully heartfelt messages, like “grow through what you go through.” Paper Hearts Post Office is thrilled to have Élana as our newest Paper Hearts Pen Pal!

What is the origin story of Élana Camille Creates?

I have always been creative, so I suppose that it shouldn’t have surprised me that I ended up with a creative business.

Six years ago, I started just by sharing my fashion illustrations on social media! Initially, it was just through Instagram and then my blog (where I would write about fashion, travel & lifestyle). I also started looking for inspiration in real life and as a regular fashion week attendee, I would sketch the looks that I would see on and off the runways.

People & brands started to take notice and from there I started to get hired to create illustrations for live illustration events, product launches and custom illustration projects.

When I moved to Halifax, I really wanted to focus on working for myself & setting up a business to do so. And that’s just what I did. As a military spouse, this gives me the freedom & flexibility to work with my husband’s career, while pursuing my own artistic interests and endeavours.

What did your family and friends think when you first started your business?

They were all for it! My family & friends are extremely supportive of my business. I couldn’t do this without them, especially my husband. I also come from a family of strong, smart, female entrepreneurs (my great grandmother, grandmother, mother, aunts, cousins). I have great examples in them, and they are always cheering me on with each milestone that I reach in my business. I also own a food business with my mother & brothers, so owning a business is nothing new to me!

What is your favourite thing about stationery?

Can I say everything?! I remember travelling to Brazil as a child and stumbling across a pen store. They had every colour under the sun! It was one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen. I still remember it to this day. And also, when my father would return from business trips around the world, he would always bring me back notebooks, paper & pens from whichever country he had visited!

What is your favourite part of being an entrepreneur?

My favourite part of being an entrepreneur is the flexibility that I am able to create with my business. Not just with the projects that I take on but that I’m able to work from anywhere in the world. And I have! Whether it’s a short trip to London, England, or setting up my laptop in front of the water in beautiful Barbados, I get to work wherever I happen to be travelling to. And I love that.

Fun facts about Élana!

• Élana is a Scorpio
• Her favourite animal is an elephant
• She has lived in British Columbia, Ontario, Nova Scotia, & Singapore
• Her secret talent is singing, but only for very special occasions!
• Élana's favourite sport is soccer, which she played from childhood until varsity in college and even some post-college seasons

Want to be friends with Élana online? You can find her on your favourite social platforms right here:

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Photo credit: Élana Camille Creates