The year was 1981, and I had just begun my business journey. I remember it clearly—sorting through a growing pile of business cards. Before long, I realized they were more than just cardstock. To me, they were symbolic tokens—representing handshakes, introductions, and moments of significance. In some ways, they held more meaning than my childhood baseball cards.

Business cards have always been about connection and commerce. Like the ancient merchants of the Nile, modern professionals use these little rectangles to forge relationships and mark the beginning of something more. They’re not just a formality—they’re often the first impression and, sometimes, a lasting legacy.

And then there are the taglines. All of my early employers had one. My favorite was centered around relationships. Much like Ford’s “Built Ford Tough” or Milton Glaser’s iconic “I Love NY” campaign, it reflected a deeper commitment—relationships built on trust, respect, and shared success.

Before email, LinkedIn, or digital contact-sharing, the business card was the centerpiece of networking. The creativity behind those cards said a lot about the person and the business. They weren’t just functional—they were an art form.

My father understood branding well. His Yellow Pages ad read simply: Find it Fast in the Yellow Pages. It reminded me of the timeless principles championed by advertising greats like Claude Hopkins and David Ogilvy—clarity, simplicity, and consistency. That mindset shaped much of my early career. Now, that’s become Artificial Intelligence—where clarity, speed, and targeting are the new watchwords, but the principles of connection remain the same.

Business cards also carry personal meaning. I’ll never forget my trip to Hong Kong, where I learned the cultural significance of presenting a card with both hands—a gesture that signals respect and commitment. What might seem like a simple exchange here becomes a meaningful ritual elsewhere.

Over the decades, I’ve collected thousands of business cards. Each one is a chapter—a snapshot of a relationship. Sorting through them today is like flipping through a scrapbook. Some are from people who have passed on, but their legacies live on through the connections we shared.

The cards I’ve kept tell stories of trust earned, deals struck, partnerships formed, and lessons learned. What began as a professional habit has become something deeply personal. Each card reflects a shared moment—of connection, achievement, or growth.

Even in a digital world, business cards haven’t lost their charm. They still serve as a branding tool and a statement of identity. Whether minimalist or elaborate, a card often encapsulates who you are and what you stand for.

Take a moment to reflect on your own experiences with business cards. What do yours say about you? What stories do they hold? Maybe we should even start a tradition—an annual award for the most creative card.

Just as my mom typed term papers at our kitchen table and my grandparents kept meticulous farm records, business cards represent effort and intention. They reflect values passed down through generations: hard work, pride, and the importance of meaningful relationships.

Let’s be frank—no one’s going to wax nostalgic about a collection of QR codes. But those faded cards in your desk drawer? They tell a story. One worth remembering.

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