Who are the puzzle lovers out there? I sure love to unplug and work my brain with a good puzzle. Our next Maker we Love is Ali, founder of Puzz.
MAKER:
Ali Pokorny, Founder of Puzz
NEIGHBORHOOD:
Lawrenceville
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BRAND AND WHY IT'S THE BEST:
Puzz celebrates the fun, funky, and adventurous parts of life - in puzzle form. I took the classic pastime and gave it a fresh new feel by teaming up with artists to create modern, one-of-a-kind designs.
I really built Puzz to be something relatable, which is part of what makes it so special. Our puzzles are inspired by the things that make life fun with the goal of creating something that people can resonate with, like "Plant Lady" for plant-lovers or "Van Life" for the explorers at heart. So even if you're not an avid puzzler, the relatability creates an opportunity for someone to press pause, relax, and bring a spark of joy to their downtime.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND THE STORY BEHIND WHY YOU STARTED CREATING?
Half creative, half methodical, 100% hard to shut off. That's my brain in a nutshell and also a pretty spot-on description of a jigsaw puzzle, so it's easy to see why I’m so drawn to them.
I can remember doing jigsaw puzzles with my grandma as a kid. I loved digging through the pieces and the satisfaction of finding a fit. As an adult, I found my way back to doing puzzles as a way to relax and unwind. Over the years, it became my go-to when I needed to zen out a little. But finding puzzle designs that fit my interests or style was always a challenge.
When the pandemic hit and my work slowed, I used the opportunity to start Puzz to bring fresh and modern puzzles to the scene. I was actually doing a puzzle in the early days of quarantine when the idea was born!
WHAT ONE PRODUCT DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AND WHY?
Plant Lady is a 1,000 piece puzzle featuring an assortment of sprawling houseplants and colorful pots created by local artist Courtney Powell. There's so much fun to be had in piecing together the different types of plants and scenery. It's perfect for anyone who loves a little greenery in their life, and the best part is you don't have to remember to water these ones.
IN THREE WORDS, WHY DO YOU LOVE PITTSBURGH?
People, history, community
HOW CAN PEOPLE LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU?
You can learn more about Puzz and shop puzzles on our website www.letspuzz.com and would love for you to come be friends with us on Instagram @letspuzz