At the heart of XOXO, Frances is Karen Kremeier, a true paper aficionado whose passion for stationery blossomed at age 13. It all began when she landed her first job at Elements, a gift and card store in Orange County. Following her undergraduate degree from USC and an MBA from Vanderbilt, Karen embarked on a successful career in investment banking, M&A, and sales. However, her love for paper never faded. She further honed her skills by working weekends at Soiree San Francisco and spent a pivotal year with Elizabeth Grace in Chicago. With a smile, she recalls, “It only took 47 years of planning to finally realize my dream of opening my own store.”

The charming name XOXO, frances is a heartfelt tribute to Karen’s grandmother, Frances Margaret Youell Shally. An artist at heart, Frances was known for her beautiful drawings and creative spirit. Every holiday and birthday, she delighted her grandchildren with handmade, illustrative cards – a tradition that Karen holds dear. Embracing her grandmother’s passion for mail, Karen continues that legacy through her work at XOXO, frances.

In her journey toward opening her shop, Karen formed a meaningful partnership with Sheryl Oberman of Stationery Station, a beloved name in North Shore stationery. When Sheryl retired, Karen seized the opportunity to acquire her industry knowledge and maintain connections with top paper companies. Committed to upholding the exceptional quality and personalized service for which Stationery Station was known, XOXO, frances proudly carries on this esteemed tradition.