About us!
Who we are & our story
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Victoria
CEO & Head of Operations
Victoria keeps this whole thing running. She manages finance, marketing, and website development, bringing over a decade of People (HR) experience from the tech and entertainment industries. A first-generation immigrant raised in Nebraska, she blends sharp business acumen with a deep commitment to community, sustainability and care. -
Shawn
Chief Creative Officer
Shawn is the heart and inspiration of Smartass. Originally from Lorain, OH, Shawn was raised by a single mom and grew up an only child. With over ten years of stand-up comedy, improv, and acting experience, Shawn channels humor into every design and message we create. He brings 100% of the savagely raw realness in our cards.
Our Why
We started Smartass Support Cards to offer an authentic alternative for those navigating grief, loss, or life’s toughest challenges.
After losing close family members, I (Shawn) found the most healing messages weren’t traditional condolence cards; they were irreverent, unexpected laughs from friends. We created this brand to offer an alternative: a reason to smile when it’s needed most.
Our story started in Omaha, where we met and eventually married in 2009. Not long after, we packed up our lives, moved to California in a cargo van. And true to form, charged it to a friend’s credit card. We paid her back of course. But that mix of scrappiness and humor pretty much sums up who we are.
We’ve experienced loss firsthand—Shawn’s mom, several close family members, and all three of our cats (Sophie, Bucky, and Nina). We know what grief feels like, in all its heaviness. And we know that sometimes the only thing that helps is laughter—the kind that comes from remembering things that would drive us bonkers about our loved ones.
That’s why Smartass Support Cards exist: not to offer empty platitudes, but to show up with real-speak.
Join our mailing list for updates or read our blog for more about us!
Shawn Gnandt &
Victoria Xiong-Gnandt
Founders, Smartass Support Cards
Humorous sympathy or loss cards are rare in the industry because they’re incredibly difficult to write with the right balance of empathy and comedy.
We believe our business fills a vital niche that’s both necessary and uplifting. Over the years, we’ve been sending these kinds of cards to our friends and family. We thought, why not share it with the rest of the world.
