Welcome to the latest episode of Behind The Print, where we bring you the creative stories of industry leaders shaping the world of professional printing. In this episode, I sit down with Martha Bennington, CEO and designer of The 3 Sisters Design Co., to discuss her incredible journey of building a brand that blends humor, creativity, and bold design. We’ll explore Martha’s passion for art, her transition from handcrafted jewelry to a thriving design business, and how print plays a pivotal role in bringing her unique and sassy creations to life. From greeting cards to boutique goods, Martha’s work reflects her distinctive voice and fearless approach to business.

Below, you’ll find the transcript of our conversation, edited for clarity to ensure easy reading. If you want the full, authentic experience, make sure to check out the video attached below.

9-minute read

“Before I started all this, I wish I had a community of small business owners to turn to, like the one I later helped create. I mentor because it’s expensive to get to market and build an audience.” Martha Bennington, CEO & Designer

Transcripts from Behind The Print with Martha Bennington From The 3 Sisters Design Co.

Welcome back to Behind The Print podcast, where we feature industry leaders and uncover the creative minds behind businesses in the professional printing world. Our mission is to provide you with inspiring, actionable resources to elevate your business projects and accelerate your journey to excellence in profit and print.

Today’s episode is Bold, Branded, and Brilliant, and I’m here with CEO and designer of The Three Sisters Design Co, and eldest sister, Martha Bennington.

Martha Bennington: Hey people!

“Sourcing is everything. We really try to stay American-mad It keeps the supply chain simple and ensures better quality and responsiveness.” Martha Bennington, CEO & Designer

Zoe Fisher: So, Martha, how did The 3 Sisters Design Co. all start, from key fobs to the creation of your Big House line?

Martha Bennington: I’ll try to keep it short! The 3 Sisters Design Co. started over 20 years ago. At that time, I was a jewelry artist, and both my younger sisters are also artists. One of them visited me in California and said, “We should start a business.” Genius, right? So we bought a domain. But, baby sister is what we call the ethereal one, so she drifted off, and middle sister had twins—so she was out, too! And there I was. Over the years, it became more design-focused rather than labor-heavy, which was a great shift for me.

Martha Bennington: Our line reflects our sense of humor, we’re snarky, sassy, and a little badass-y. That’s our brand!

Zoe Fisher: I love that! And I’ve seen your hilarious cards. Who typically gravitates toward your greeting cards? Are they for a particular occasion or type of person?

Martha Bennington: The 3 Sisters Design Co. doesn’t just do greeting cards—we also make stickers, postcards, boutique soap, body butter, air fresheners, and soon, tote bags, tea towels, and pillows! But when it comes to paper goods, everyone knows that person on the card. One of my buyers told me a little old lady keeps snatching them up for her bridge party—she thinks they’re the funniest things ever! That just cracks me up. You just need an outside-the-box sense of humor to love them.

Martha Bennington: All of my images are vintage mugshots, dating as far back as the 1870s up until the ‘70s. That’s where you get the great hairstyles and glasses. I pair them with something I would probably say in real life. Like one of my best sellers, Carol doesn’t get drunk, she gets awesome.

Zoe Fisher: That’s such a perfect mix of comedy and realism!

Martha Bennington: Exactly! Over the years, The 3 Sisters Design Co. has had our ups and downs but 2008 hit us hard, and we lost about 70% of our business overnight, like a lot of people did. But we learned how to take care of our buyers. Most of our business is wholesale B2B, and we focused on keeping our buyers happy. We bought out old stock and gave them affordable stock. In doing that, we realized that if you give someone change from a $20 bill, make them laugh, or provide self-care, you’re golden. We’re still here, and we’re doing great!

Zoe Fisher: That’s amazing. So, when designing, what do you focus on most? Style? Message? The images?

Martha Bennington: Honestly, the hardest part isn’t the design, it’s sourcing. You guys at PrintingCenterUSA make that part easy! I love working with you. Every time I make a mistake; you guys catch it. “Are you sure you wanted to say that?” And I’m like, “Oh no, I put too many E’s in that word!”

Martha Bennington: Sourcing is everything. We really try to stay American-made and support small businesses. It keeps the supply chain simple and ensures better quality and responsiveness. I’ve had a sourcing nightmare with tea towels lately, but I’ll figure it out. When I started, I was doing candles which was a huge mistake. They break, they’re hard to ship… don’t do candles. A friend of mine said, “Girl, do greeting cards!” And here we are.

Zoe Fisher: That’s awesome! So what are some of the biggest challenges Three Sisters Design Co faces right now?

Martha Bennington: Nothing’s really holding The 3 Sisters Design Co. back. We’d love to invest in another $20,000 machine, but at the same time, we’re growing the Big House line so fast. We don’t want to grow too fast, for example, right now we’re in a great rhythm. We track our numbers carefully and test products in small batches before going all in. Like our napkins, it’s crazy, I had to buy 20,000 of them for the first order. That was terrifying, but they blew up! Now, we’re at 12 designs and counting.

Zoe Fisher: What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting this journey?

Martha Bennington: I wish I had a community of small business owners to turn to, like the one I later helped create. I mentored other artisans at major markets because it’s expensive to get to market and build an audience. Some people are secretive about their sources, but I’m not afraid of competition. I have confidence in my line and no one has my exact squirrel brain! There’s enough space for everyone at the table, and if I help someone with sourcing, it comes back to me in spades.

“Even when I’m on a cruise ship, I’m walking around writing down funny things drunk people say. Everything turns into a greeting card eventually!” Martha Bennington, CEO & Designer

Zoe Fisher: That’s a great mindset. You also emphasize eco-friendliness and giving back. How do those values influence your business?

Martha Bennington: I’m a cancer survivor of ovarian cancer, 17-18 years. Not a common survival story, so yes, round of applause! So many people supported me when I couldn’t work, so I feel it’s important to give back. Every month, we donate to different causes like Habitat for Humanity, cancer research, LGBTQ+ organizations, even Heifer International, where we buy cows for families in need.

Martha Bennington: At The 3 Sisters Design Co. eco-friendliness came naturally to us. We used to work with vintage license plates, fire hoses, and record albums. Our key fobs are made with recycled plastics. Even our air fresheners are 35% recycled diapers! Brand new, unused diapers that couldn’t be sold. The manufacturer told me, “We don’t tell everyone it’s diapers,” and I was like, “That’s hilarious—I’m telling people.”

Zoe Fisher: That’s amazing! Now, you made a conscious decision to stay off Amazon. Why?

Martha Bennington: No shade to Amazon—I shop there, too. But it’s not small-business-friendly. We sell to almost 6,000 galleries and boutiques worldwide. If our retailers saw us on Amazon, they’d drop us. We don’t compete with our own stores. Amazon would also never offer us the exclusivity and customer service we need. Instead of being anti-Amazon, I say, support small businesses instead!

Zoe Fisher: Absolutely! So, if you had a completely free day, how would you spend it?

Martha Bennington: Honestly? I’d still be designing. Even on vacation, I’m walking around with an old-fashioned in my hand, writing down funny things drunk people say. Everything turns into a greeting card eventually! But I do love cruising. No kids cannonballing in the pool? Sign me up.

Zoe Fisher: That sounds amazing! How can listeners connect with you and shop your products?

Martha Bennington: Easy! Head to the3sisters.com—that’s the number three, not the word. From there, you can find our Etsy store for retail and our wholesale catalog on Faire. I keep it simple—no need to maintain a complicated website. You can also find us on Instagram @ThreeSistersDesignCo..

“We track our numbers in small batches before going all in. Like our napkins—I had to buy 20,000 of them for the first order. That was terrifying, but they blew up!” Martha Bennington, CEO & Designer

Zoe Fisher: Perfect! Listeners, check out Three Sisters Design Co. and grab some of Martha’s hilarious and sassy products.

That’s a wrap on another episode of Behind The Print. Thanks to our listeners for joining us as we explore the artistry and innovation of the printing world. Remember, have a strong vision, build the right strategy, and use tools like print to amplify your message and make your brand stand out.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to get your sample pack today from PrintingCenterUSA.com and share it with your fellow business enthusiasts. Until next time, keep your creative sparks flying, and remember, there’s always more to discover behind the print.

Make Your Mark Today!

From bold humor to unforgettable branding, Martha Bennington brings her snarky, sassy, and creative vision to life through The Three Sisters Design Co. Her work blends vintage aesthetics with modern wit, creating products that resonate with customers who love personality-driven design. For Martha, we have been a trusted partner in turning her unique style into beautifully crafted, high-quality printed materials that engage and delight audiences worldwide. Whether it’s greeting cards, calendars, or custom merchandise, you can bring your own creative vision to life with custom printing. Order today!

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