Why I Quit My Desk Job To Open A Gift Shop

Q&A with Chandler Tang, founder & owner of post.script.

Q: Let’s start with the most important question - what inspired you to open a gift shop in San Francisco? 

A: I grew up in San Francisco and never really left - it will always be home to me. Over the years, I’ve watched the city change a lot. With so many large chains opening and mom-and-pop stores closing, I wanted to give back to the community by bringing back a local shop. 

I come from a family of small business owners. Since the '50s, my family collectively ran many different businesses in the Bay Area. It felt like owning a small business was in my blood, which is only something I recently realized.

All of these factors really helped to inspire post.script. (PS) - a San Francisco gift shop that would give back to the community, while also creating community. More importantly, PS honors my family’s longstanding tradition of running and owning a local business in SF. 

Q: Can you tell us more about how your family history has impacted your journey with post.script.?

A: Both sets of my grandparents immigrated from Asia to San Francisco in the ‘50s, and over the years, my family ran a laundry service, laundromat, bookstore, jewelry store, restaurant, bar, dry cleaner, grocery store, and more.

I was not alive while most of these businesses were operating, but as I was building PS, I felt intrinsically connected to my family. I had this beaming sense of honor in my chest, knowing that all of their work was paying off. The steps they took helped me get to where I am today and they are an ongoing source of inspiration as PS continues to grow and evolve. 

Q: How did you come up with the name post.script. for the gift shop?

A: “Post Script” is the long form of “P.S.” - that charming little note at the end of a letter. I loved the idea of spelling it out completely while keeping the dots. I also loved that it’s an acronym widely used, but not widely known.

At the store, we sell a lot of letterpress greeting cards, pens, notebooks, and other stationery items. I love all things handwritten and fervently support the analog movement. Handwritten notes go a long way and make a big impact, and the name “post.script.” highlights the importance of slowing down and sharing something meaningful with a friend or loved one. 

Q: Where do you get your aesthetic & design inspiration from? With so many makers & artisans out there, how do you identify specific products or brands to carry? 

A: I studied Art History in college and have always had an appreciation for design. PS is very much focused on clean, modern lines and pops of color. I would describe it as joyful, bright, cheerful, playful, thoughtful, and community-oriented, and our products and store aesthetic reflect that.

I take inspiration from the community around me, local makers, other small businesses, thoughtful letters, unique gifts, and uncommon goods. 

Using this as a starting point, I built the store with brands and items that I’ve always loved and admired. Being a woman and AAPI-owned local business, I always strive to source products from black-owned, AAPI-owned, women-owned, locally-owned, and LGBTQIA-owned brands so that customers can shop with intention. 

Q: What was life like before you started running a small business? What was it like going from 9-5 to business owner? 

A: I was in a cubicle for a few years before opening up PS in 2019. I jumped from many different careers in fashion, beauty, and interior design, but I always felt like there was something else I was meant to be doing.

The store started as a late-night project after rough days at my corporate 9-5. It was a way I could escape my 9-5. I had an “ah-ha” moment and said to myself, “I want to run a local shop.” After I found a retail space and started to place orders, PS came to be (check out the early days of the store below)! 

Once I opened PS, there were no boundaries. Or rather, I defined the boundaries. I had my hand in everything versus getting things slowly approved by various departments. 

While my path has not been linear, I can truthfully attest that all of my past jobs led me to today and gave me a collection of diverse skills that I apply at PS - from curation and buying to operations, customer service, and design.

Q: What makes post.script. unique? What keeps your customers coming back time and time again?

A: I built PS to serve the community, and we truly love to help! We’ve become a one-stop-shop for all things gift-related - whether it be personalized gifts and gift cards, or postage stamps and gift wrapping (we even offer this for gifts not purchased at the store!). 

Another unique element is our huge range of greeting cards - specifically our handmade letterpress greeting cards. It’s something our customers rave about, and are my personal favorite items to source, curate, sell, and even send. We have an ever-growing card wall and even installed a "card concierge" where customers can sift through all our cards on a tablet!

Everything at PS is curated, selected, and displayed with intention. I want customers to feel like they are walking into a magical, authentic, and positive space with gift ideas and inspiration wherever they turn. Ultimately, I hope everyone who visits the store finds the perfect, unique gift or card for every occasion. 

Our price point starts at under $10, meaning our selection of gifts are accessible to anyone and everyone, as it should be. 

Q: Do you have any words of wisdom or advice you’d give to someone who is thinking of starting a small business? 

A: My biggest piece of advice - make sure you are ready and okay with dedicating most (if not all!) of your time to your business. 

Starting and running a small business is a lot of work. You never truly “clock out.”  I’m constantly thinking of ways to improve and move the business forward. Having said that, it’s the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done.

 Q: Anything else we should know about post.script.?

A: Come visit the store! We’re located at 2413 California Street in San Francisco (off of Fillmore Street), open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am - 6pm (closed Monday & Tuesday). Whether you’re a SF local or just passing through, we’d love to see you! Otherwise, you can shop online 24/7 here on the website. 

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