Meet Catherine Paraiso | Sticker and Stationery Artist / Businesswoman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Catherine Paraiso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Catherine, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve been journaling since high school. Back then, my pages were filled with doodles and little written snapshots of my everyday life. Eventually, I wanted to decorate my planner with stickers — something cute, something me. But when I looked around, I realized those kinds of stickers weren’t available online or offline.

So I started making my own and posting them on my socials. People who also journaled loved them and kept asking where I bought them. That’s when it clicked: maybe this wasn’t just a hobby. Maybe it could be a business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art has always centered on women. In the beginning, PaperDollzCo was simply a collection of my own manifestations and dreams — little pieces of the life I wished for. But as more women discovered my work through social media, they began sharing their ideas and stories with me. Their suggestions shaped my illustrations into a blend of my experiences and theirs, making the collection richer and more meaningful.

Every artwork is unique, but what sets my illustrations apart — especially from AI — is the soul behind them. I create each design mindfully and with intention. As one of my customers once said, PaperDollzCo illustrations feel calming. My goal has always been to make my art relatable, and as I added more doll options, more women began to say, “This is me.” Hearing that never fails to make my heart flutter.

From being a Marketing Management graduate, I eventually became an artist. The journey wasn’t easy, but I truly believe God paved the way for me to reach this point. It was a rocky path that helped me grow both as a person and as a businesswoman. I can’t remember every struggle, but I remember crying and praying through each challenge.

Over time, I learned that every problem has a solution. I allow myself a short moment to feel stressed, then I focus on figuring out how to solve it and move forward. I learned not to let emotions control every decision, and to treat a bad day as just a day with a few bumps — not a sign to give up.

Many people think my stationery brand is just another cute brand, but its hidden message has always been: “Life is beautiful, don’t die today.” Journaling helped me release negative thoughts regularly, and that’s what I want to share with the world — that life is beautiful, and the good things will always outnumber the bad.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Philippines is a beautiful archipelago made up of 7,641 islands, but I would bring her straight to Boracay. Boracay is paradise the moment you see it — powdery white sand, crystal‑clear water, and sunsets that look like God’s own painting. It’s truly one of the greatest gifts to Filipinos.

For food, I’d take her to places that serve real Filipino comfort dishes: chicken adobo, ginataang tulingan, tinapang bangus, sinigang na baboy, bistek Tagalog, and kare‑kare. And of course, dessert wouldn’t be complete without halo‑halo and a slice of our sweet Philippine mango.

And of course, we’d stop by SM Mall branches to visit PaperDollzCo and pick up stickers as souvenirs!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to honor God for all the gifts He has given me. I’ve always been an easily scared person, but being prayerful has helped me find courage at every step. Building a business is not an easy road — new challenges appear all the time — but with God’s help, I know every problem has a solution.

I also want to recognize my husband, who has supported me from the moment I chose the path of becoming an artist. He gifted me my very first drawing tablet and has always encouraged me whenever I feel down or overwhelmed. He does everything he can to make my life lighter. I love him so much.

Website: https://paperdollzco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperdollzco.stickers/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/99695470/admin/dashboard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paperdollzco

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paperdollzco2240

Other: https://www.threads.com/@paperdollzco.stickers