I love to write about companies that solve one of my challenges. And, when they delight me, it makes me even happier. This post is the story of Vanessa and Nate Quigley who started their business called Chatbooks in 2014.

Their mission is to strengthen families.

But the story started for me almost 70 years earlier.

My grandfather, George Ginsberg, was a professional photographer. And when he retired, he needed something to keep himself busy. So, as each new grandchild came along, he wanted to create an album of each year of their lives.

Starting with my sister Diane, then me and then my brother Mitch, Pop made albums for his family for more than half a century. And then my siblings and I had children; Poppa George kept making more and more albums.

Growing up in my family, we had an expression – save it for the book. The book was the album for the year that Pop was creating.

Becoming a Grandfather

So when Bodhi Kai, our grandson was born, I knew I had to continue the tradition. But unlike Pop, I lived in the digital world, and all my photos were on my phone. Pop used scotch tape and glue to put physical prints and memorabilia into each album page. My grandfather would gold stamp every album he created.

Each page may be filled with photographs and scraps of my childhood, but they are held together with the love he had for me and my siblings.

But I needed a different solution.

I stumbled upon ChatBooks, and it has become the answer to my challenge.

How could I easily make photo albums from the bazillion photos on my phone? I wanted it to be easy to do without any complexity. ChatBooks solved the problem.

So, about every three or four months, I’ll make a new album to send to my daughter and son-in-law and grandson, who live in Hawaii.

I drop in photos or scans of all kinds of images. Every text I get or screenshot I grab from FaceTime gets put into the book. And, I can caption the pictures or even create a collage.

What I love most is that I can do for Bodhi, what George did for me. I use pixels instead of paste.

When Purpose Aligns with Customer Needs

I know other services do similar things, but the folks at ChatBooks have been very accessible when I have questions.

Being able to text their team and get quick replies is extremely valuable.

I get so much joy making these albums for Bodhi, who is now almost 18 months old. Like me, when he grows up, I hope he will enjoy looking at the pictures that will help shape his memory of childhood. I can’t tell you how many times my siblings and I will share photos via text from one of our books.

ChatBooks isn’t paying me to talk about them. I don’t do that type of writing.

But Chatbooks illustrates how purpose aligns with everyday tactics.  To me, simplicity and ease of use were critical. I also appreciate that they don’t give me too many choices.  They are accessible when I need help. I haven’t found them overselling me on deals and promotions.

“We started Chatbooks in 2014 as a small family affair. I didn’t have time to make scrapbooks–or even print photos!–of my seven kids. But I was reminded of how much children love photos of their everyday lives when a preschool teacher gave my youngest son an album of the year. Each night, when I went to tuck him in, he was looking at the photos. I didn’t have time for another project, but I did post photos on Instagram for my family and friends to see. Could I turn those into photo books—automatically? And that’s why my husband, Nate, and I started Chatbooks.” VANESSA QUIGLEY, CO-FOUNDER

Thank you to Vanessa and Nate Quigley and your Chatbook team. 

Poppa George is smiling too and happy you are helping me continue an important family tradition.

Need help communicating how you solve your customer’s problems?

I can help. You can set up a time chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Our initial conversation is free. You talk, I listen. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com or call me. 919 720 0995. Visit my website at www.themarketingsage.com  Let’s explore working together today.

Photos courtesy of Chatbooks and Poppa George