Today’s world moves quickly. Sometimes, too quickly. We have become accustomed to having the world at our fingertips and immediate satisfaction. We can order something from certain online retailers and it will arrive at our door that very same day. Behind much of what we experience is automation. There are chatbots and AI, robots for warehouses, and sometimes it is very hard to interact with a real person that actually works for the company we are interacting with.
Don’t get me wrong – automation and technology have its place and make our lives exponentially easier in many ways. But there is something to be said for human connection, an attention to detail and a passion behind the product. I know I have an immense appreciation for a small business putting their all into delivering a product or service that they believe in. Sometimes it feels like these types of small businesses are becoming few and far between. But, in a little Massachusetts town, on the corner of a small street, you will find the Counting House, filled with passionate people, counting, assembling, packing, and shipping your Zentangle orders.
What is the Counting House?
In the early years of Zentangle, Inc., packages were packed and shipped from Rick and Maria’s converted garage. At the time there were Zentangle Kits, packages of 55 White Tiles, a few Micron pens, and pencils. As Zentangle Inc. and our product line grew, a bigger space was needed.
Sometime in 2015, the contents of the garage were moved to a small stand-alone building that was part of an old mill, about a mile down the road. This building was where all the bookkeeping took place for the old mill: The Counting House. We thought the name was so fitting for us since a lot of our days are spent counting.
Today, our Counting House is across the street from Rick and Maria’s home. It is the bottom floor of a house that used to be a general store.
The Zentangle Crew at the Counting House are the backbone of everything we do here at Zentangle, Inc. All tiles are hand counted and packaged with love and care. Every detail is considered when creating and assembling the products and then packaging them to arrive safely to tangling hands. Whether it is a Zentangle Project Pack or a Seminar Supply Kit, we love knowing that when a package leaves us, it is going to be used to create beautiful art.
Next time you receive a Zentangle product or a reply to an email, we hope you know it is coming from our hearts to yours. Counted, sorted, packaged and handled with the utmost care.
And, if you are wondering who is responsible for all of the magic at the Counting House, you can get to know the Zentangle Crew here.
I was amazed, but not surprised that everything that happens at Zentangle,Inc. is done by hand with a personal touch. One of my first pleasures of communicating with Zentangle, Inc. was having a real person answer the phone. There was no automated computer voice directing me to some list of numbers to choose to eventually talk with a person. Many years ago I learned about the personal touch of every aspect of Zentangle, Inc. At a late hour of social fun, music and laughter at a recent ZenAgain event, I remarked to Maria that she must be tired after such a long day of teaching and interacting with all of us. It would be ok for her to leave early and take a break to get some rest. The gist of her comment to me was that everyone came to the event to spend time with her and Rick and the whole crew. She wanted to see everyone and be with them, too. It was at that event that I also learned more about “The Counting House”. Zentangle has always felt like family. I feel sure it always will. Thank you to all of you at Zentangle, Inc. for your personal touches! I feel them!
Kathy Wright-Starr on
sue trrembeth CZT 38 on
Heather MacGregor on
Jeanine Hughes on
Much gratitude for all the care in every aspect of Zentangle, Inc. I am always look forward to each package, and it brings so much joy when it arrives.
Mary Kay Cass, C.Z.T. on
Deb Stipp on
I love the stories of the Zentangle evolution. You are living proof that dreams come true. The dreams of the General Store in the picture, the dreams of Rick and Maria’s new art venture, the dreams of the Zentangle staff, the dreams of the CZTs, CZT wanna-bes, and new-be Zentangle artists. Thanks for helping all of our Zentangle dreams come true.
Betsey Youngs on
I love this so much!!! Now I will always think of your sweet “general store” counting house and it’s wonderful staff when ordering. So much gratitude to all of you!
Amy Normann on
Tonya Minton on
Unwrapping my orders always brings joy. Thank you guys who prepare each order as if it were personal gifts.
Nancy Day on
Unwrapping my orders always brings joy. Thank you guys who prepare each order as if it were personal gifts.
Nancy Day on
Cheryl Cianci on
Katrina Thiebaut on
One of the wonderful things about Zentangle is that every order is perfect – accurate, neat, and inspiring. Thanks for keeping the human touch alive and well!
Linda Friedly on
I love knowing that so much thoughtfulness was put into organizing/packaging/shipping of all the products. Gives you a
‘warm fuzzy feeling’ knowing that you support a company that cares and puts so much effort into their business instead of a company who automates everything and has no personal vested interest in the output. Gratitude is abundant.
Dianne Riva Cambrin on
Kathy Y. on
Jacki Brewer CZT25 on
I always look forward to receiving a package from ZHQ. The personalized love that goes into the preparation for shipping is so evident, and appreciated by each of us. Thanks ZHQ staff for all that you do. You are the BEST!
Nancy Gomoll on
Laura on
Jane Elaine on
The Counting House crew are beyond amazing. Every time I place an order I am amazed at how quickly it is packed and shipped. Always beautifully and carefully packaged so every item arrives in perfect shape. Ready to be packed into kits for my students who then make beautiful art.
Not to mention of course that I immediately start creating on the fabulous new products.
You are incredible and I am so grateful.
Kathleen McMurtry on
Good for you!
Melody Marks on