Missed moment inspires creation of card business

Kody Bateman thinks of his life as having two distinct chapters: one before, one after.

The before was everything that happened prior to a moment years ago when Bateman felt he should stop and say goodbye to his closest sibling, an older brother, before heading home to New York City after a trip.

Bateman ignored the feeling, and two weeks later his brother died. So began Bateman's "after" chapter.

Changed by that experience, Bateman became fired with a determination to help other people act on their promptings before the crucial moment passes. That was the seed that led to SendOutCards.com, an online greeting-card company that allows subscribers to send everything from a thank-you note to a get-well card and a box of cookies in just moments.

With president and chief operating officer Erik Laver, Bateman has led Salt Lake-based SendOutCards to massive growth and status as the world's third-largest greeting-card company.

The company offers direct-sales opportunities to a worldwide network of distributors, as well as an array of pricing and subscription options to people who just want to send out cards.

The company offers many levels of personalization, from a simple message and signature inside a card to personalized photos and even cards that use customers' handwriting to provide a personalized font and signature.

Customers also can include a gift or gift card with their greeting, and business customers can employ SendOutCards to design all-new cards just for their business or for a special event.