Tache

A love story with a furry tail ending...

Tache is the story of Frank and Pennie…and a kitten called Tache, named after her moustachioed face markings! A millennial love story of two young creatives struggling to make ends meet, while attempting to forge their careers - Pennie in fashion and Frank in web design.

In 2013, Pennie moved in with Frank in Bournemouth, after liberating herself from a series of unpaid fashion internships in London. Working for free in the capital had left Pennie, well, pennie-less! From their run-down flat in Bournemouth though, spawned an idea that would change their lives forever.

‘Frank often watched me hand-making greetings cards for family and friends, seemingly fascinated’ says Pennie. ‘You thought I was mesmerised by your creativity, but really I was stealing your ideas,’ chuckles Frank.

And so, for her birthday, Pennie was surprised to receive a hand-made card from Frank - an elaborate 3D cut-out of two quirky cartoon cats - a smug Tom handing a heart-shaped balloon to his unimpressed sweetheart.

Despite taking his inspiration from Pennie, Frank had employed some genuinely innovative techniques, giving the card a charming originality. A sticky heart-shaped seal, a lined envelope to match the main image and, as a final loving touch, Frank hid a matching mini envelope inside, containing tickets to a London show! ‘It took me ages!’ says Frank. ‘Pennie was out of work at the time and feeling pretty low so I really wanted to cheer her up’.

Over time things began to look up, with Pennie landing a promising job in visual merchandising and Frank gaining recognition for his web design talents. The run-down flat became a nicer flat, and then a house. Frank and Pennie even bought a cat: a furry bundle of fun with moustache markings below her whiskers - aptly named Tache of course!

All was well until Pennie’s company moved, making her commute impossible and she had to resign. During this difficult time, when even a cute kitten couldn’t lift her spirits, Pennie chanced upon the birthday card that Frank had made for her.

The card made her smile and, once again, inspiration kicked in. With its original and rustic handmade charm it occurred to Pennie that, more than merely an accompaniment to a gift, this card really was a gift in itself. Would other people appreciate this as much as she had? She mentioned it to Frank and, with nothing to lose, they decided to take a leap into the unknown.

And so, Frank and Pennie started laying the plans for a company that would take the greetings card world by storm.

All it needed was a name……