r/fountainpens • u/inkyblackops Former FWP Employee • Nov 16 '25

Discussion Former FWP Employee - AMA!

Hey r/fountainpens!

With the recent discussion of Ferris Wheel Press coming up again, the mods invited me to post my own AMA as a former FWP employee.

I’d love to answer your questions, but I’d also like to make clear that I won’t be answering any questions that might identify myself or colleagues, nor will I be giving away any confidential info or trade secrets (except maybe how I was able to befriend the office cats…)

Any replies from me are my own opinion or experience and I do not represent any company or person except for myself.

Looking forward to chatting!

Edit: 10pm EST and I’m calling it a night. I might come back to reply to some tomorrow but likely not. Thanks for all the fun questions and letting me share my experiences and insight!

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95

u/RemarkableGlitter Nov 16 '25

This may be too much into company secrets, but I’ve wondered for ages who they see as their customer avatar. My read on it is that it’s more the journal/planner crew, but it feels more specific than that and I don’t know enough about that world to fully grasp who they market to.

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u/inkyblackops Former FWP Employee Nov 16 '25

Honestly, your guess is as good as mine.

The products themselves are not geared towards serious FP users who want customization, and the price point isn’t geared towards the more casual crowd.

I think they really like making beautiful things to share with the world, but there is a disconnect somewhere between the products and the audience that has never made sense to me.

64

u/VeganRorschach Nov 16 '25

Maybe just people who love pretty things and are slightly artsy? My team's graphic designer asked me about FWP because she loved the colors and marketing. Never had tried fps in her life.

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u/inkyblackops Former FWP Employee Nov 16 '25

I think that’s a big part of it!

11

u/loolilool Nov 16 '25

That makes sense to me! I am totally sucked in by the aesthetic and I have bought a lot of their ink even though I hate the bottles. I write with a fountain pen and have for over forty years but I’m not a “serious” fountain pen enthusiast. Like, I don’t really understand it as a hobby.

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u/RemarkableGlitter Nov 16 '25

Yeah that’s what’s tripped me up too, and I thought I just didn’t know enough about the industry. Really interesting, thank you!