After her son, Noah, was born, Jessica Singer was excited to send out birth announcements, complete with a picture of her new baby.

However, she was dismayed six weeks later when the cards arrived in the mail — she thought they looked terrible.

Graphic design is something Singer has always enjoyed, so she decided to find a way to keep other parents out of the same situation. In January, Singer launched LifeKissesYou.com, a Web-based custom-design business.

"I offer 100 percent custom service 4x6 or 5x7 (photo cards)," she said. "My products are continuously changing."

Singer custom designs photo cards from birth announcements to birthday party or baby shower invitations. Clients can select templates already on the Web site, or they can choose to have their photo card custom-designed. Customers have complete control of the project from what colors will be used to how it is decorated to a matte or glossy finish on the card.

"I really take care of my customers. I want to make sure they're ... satisfied," the Salt Lake woman said. "When you order birth announcements, you don't want it to look awful, and you don't want to wait six weeks for it."

One of the biggest challenges for Singer has been marketing her business.

"My forte is the design. I have a lot of business savvy," she said. "The marketing part of it I find challenging.... Everything costs money."

Printing has also been a concern for Singer. It is currently the only part of her business she has to outsource, and it's been difficult to find a printer.

"I'm very (picky) when it comes to the finished product. If it doesn't look good, I'm going to raise a stink about it," she said. "When I'm done printing, if it doesn't look right or it's crooked, they need to reprint."

The name "Life Kisses You" refers to the significant events the cards are designed to celebrate, such as having a baby, birthdays, marriage or even death. All these have lasting impact and are moments when it seems as if life has laid a kiss on you, Singer said.

In addition to offering a service she hasn't found anywhere else for an affordable price, Singer says LifeKissesYou.com gives her a way to supplement the family income while being a stay-at-home mom. Although she wants to be successful, Singer says growing her business slowly is OK.

"I have time to grow my business," she said. "I know from past experience from watching friends and family that if you grow too quickly it can be a bad thing. I'm just looking for a little bit of extra money."

Anyone interested in can visit www.lifekissesyou.com or contact Singer at 486-2113 or jessica@lifekissesyou.com.

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E-mail: twalquist@desnews.com