Meet Lexi & Preston Holt, co-founders of Postcards
Before Lexi & Preston Holt started Postcards, they were both students at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Shidler College of Business. Postcards is a locally based small business that creates candles that are free from dyes, toxins, phthalates, parabens, carcinogens, mutagens, and cruelty.
1. Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from and what are you doing now?
Lexi: I grew up in the small ski town of Park City, Utah. I think my passion for the outdoors took root in my childhood. Whether that was skiing, biking, hiking, or playing soccer, I've always been drawn to nature's playground. I am currently the co-founder of Postcards, a souvenir company that reminds people of special destination spots. My role at Postcards is CMO, customer service, creative director, and customer outreach. We are only a two person team so Preston and I play many roles!
Preston: I’m Preston, one of the co-founders of Postcards - an online candle and souvenir brand. I was born and raised in Chicago, where I spent my later high school years in Park City, Utah - but I’ve really gotten to live all over the country. Growing up landlocked in Chicago created an obsession with outdoor activities, which has brought me to live in places like Denver, Hawaii, Bend, and 30A within the last five years. I think there’s an amazing shift of perspective, confidence, and empathy when we travel to new places, and that’s really a big part of the brand we’re trying to build. Lexi and I have been working on Postcards for the last 18 months, and it’s the most fun thing ever. It’s both extremely tough and rewarding to bootstrap a consumer brand out of college while being mostly clueless and making it work. We’re learning a ton every day, which has allowed both of us to be Swiss army knives in business - I think the skills we’ve learned from day 1 to now can’t be replicated anywhere else
2. What made you decide to create Postcards?
Lexi: Preston and I launched Postcards back in our sophomore year at UH. We were interested in the tourism industry and loved watching people exploring new places for the first time. As a couple, our relationship was built on trying new things and adventuring to new destinations. But there was this gap in the souvenir market—nothing quite captured the essence of our travels or held that special meaning we were searching for. So we decided to design and make scented travel candles that whisk you back to those unforgettable moments. Postcards embodies who we are and how we live—ensuring those cherished memories never fade away!
Preston: Postcards was the 10th business idea and 8th registered domain - I know we’re still early, but it feels like all the previous attempts gave us the perfect opportunity with this idea. We started Postcards based on three things: an obvious gap in the souvenir market, a low barrier to entry product that we could test while going to school at UH, and a genuine passion for travel. The brand identity for Postcards continues to change, but our inspiration comes from Hawaii and the sense of adventure. But really, we just love business, and this is shaping up to be the perfect creative outlet.
3. Where do you draw inspiration from for your candles?
Lexi: The natural world around us! The beauty we see in places through our eyes.
Preston: This brand is really just an extension of Lexi and me - so each candle represents a place that has made an impact on our lives. The artwork and aesthetic come from the word nostalgia, which is the feeling we want associated with Postcards. An unexpected bonus of starting this business is seeing how special each of these places is to our customers. We’re flooded with stories and memories from other travel and candle lovers.
4. Why did you choose to attend UH?
Lexi: I transferred to UH during my freshman year of college after starting out at Washington State University. Quickly realizing that WSU wasn't the right fit for me, as it seemed to prioritize partying, drinking, and football over learning, I sought something different and chose to transfer to UH. The island's beauty definitely drew me in. During my initial months at UH, I learned many life lessons about independence, respect, embracing new cultures, and much more. Transfering to UH was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Preston: I tried the stereotypical college-frat-thing and immediately felt my heart being pulled in a different direction. My first day of school at UH was my second day ever being in Hawaii, and I didn’t know anyone except Lexi within 2000 miles. I chose UH based on what Hawaii represented to me at 18 years old, which is one of the most culturally and geographically different places than anything I’d experienced. I saw a place where I could pick up new hobbies, learn new cultures, and rewire my brain. Hindsight says this was a great choice.
5. What do you value most about your time at UH?
Lexi: What I value most from my time at UH was the lessons I learned there. UH taught me the importance of taking risks and persevering against all odds. Preston and I faced many rejections in various business competitions, yet we refused to give up. We continued trying and stayed confident in our abilities to build a brand. As marketing students we believed in the power of community and building a brand. Eventually, our perseverance paid off when we were accepted into the Summer Launchpad program, which provided us with $4,000 to kickstart our dream brand!
Preston: UH was my first real exposure to business professionals. There are many people in my UH network who helped me learn basics and inspired me to think big. I say it on repeat, but Lexi and I have taken so much value from the 3 business competitions we didn’t win. As I started working on random business ideas throughout my time at UH, I always felt like I had teachers who were good resources.
6. What advice would you give to an incoming UH student?
Lexi: Take advantage of all opportunities!! The school is here to launch you into a successful future. Looking back, I can tell that the teachers and school wanted the best for their students. I think understanding what your goals are for after college will give you a good direction on what to get involved in. Also volunteer at the Ka Papa Lo’i O Kanewai and go on field trips. So amazing!!
Preston: Swing big and take risks. Use every resource at UH for whatever you decide to do. This time in college can really change the trajectory of your entire life, so use it accordingly.
Find the Postcards website here for more information.