As moms, Jodie Ford and Hannah Randle know first-hand the power of a thoughtful, heartfelt note for the people who do so much for your kids—the teachers, coaches and other parents. Together they recently launched Greatfull Mail. They describe the company, which was recently honored with a NAPPA Award, as a words-first gift that helps people turn the thoughts they often feel but don’t always say into something meaningful someone can read, keep and come back to forever. You can send notes for free as a solo or group gift, with an optional gift card that can be split and spent across hundreds of favorite retailers.
We had the pleasure to chat with Jodie (mom of two boys, ages 9 and 11) who splits her time between Oregon and L.A. and Hannah (mom of a 14-year-old son) based in Santa Monica about motherhood, their company and the power of gratitude.
Tell us a little about how you came up with the idea for Greatfull Mail.
Jodie: The idea really came from something very relatable — as moms, we were always the ones organizing the group gifts. Teachers, coaches, class parents, birthdays, thank-yous — we were the ones starting the group texts, collecting money, buying the gift, and getting everyone to sign the card.
And every time, we found ourselves asking the same question: what do you give someone who has given your child so much? Nothing ever felt quite right. A mug didn’t feel like enough, a gift card felt a bit impersonal — and we realized there was a gap between what people gave and what they felt. People were trying to buy a gift to say something they didn’t quite know how to put into words.
The only place that ever came close was the card — the words people wrote. But even then, it can sometimes be hard to put into words the impact someone has made.
Hannah: That’s when it really clicked for us — the part people keep with them forever often isn’t the gift, it’s the words. But those words were always scattered — in group cards, emails, and texts — and still no one ever got to see the full picture of the impact they had made.
So, we started asking ourselves: How do we make this easier and better for people? How do we find a way to help people say the things they really want to say, and give those words as a gift in a way that someone can keep forever?
That’s where Greatfull Mail came from — a simple way to bring all those words together in one place so someone can truly see the difference they’ve made and keep it forever. We even created our own spelling — “Greatfull” — because to us, feeling grateful is part of living a great and full life.
As people started using it, they naturally wanted a way to pair those words with a gift as well, so we added an optional Greatfull gift card — which can be spent and split across hundreds of favorite retailers — so you can give something practical alongside something deeply personal. But the heart of it will always be the words.
What would you love to see grow out of your innovative creation?
Jodie: We’d love Greatfull Mail to become the go-to way people give a meaningful gift — whether it’s from one person or many. Something you naturally turn to when you want to give something that actually lands. Because gifting isn’t going anywhere — but we think it can feel a lot more thoughtful.
Hannah: Our hope is that it becomes a new kind of default. Where the gift isn’t just something you give, but something you say. A way to make people feel genuinely appreciated and remembered.
You are both moms. Tell us a little about raising kids in L.A. — the challenges and joys.
Hannah: L.A. is an incredible place to raise kids. There’s so much diversity, creativity, and opportunity — you can be at the beach one day and in the mountains the next. It’s also a place where kids can really explore who they are.
At the same time, it’s busy. Schedules are full, traffic is real, and getting anywhere can take longer than you think.
Jodie: But there are also real opportunities for community and connection — through schools, sports, music and shared interests — and those moments create a sense of belonging. It’s big energy, but there’s also space to build something meaningful within it.
You focus on teachers and truly appreciating them. Tell us more about that and why.
Jodie: Teachers were one of the first places we saw the impact of Greatfull Mail so clearly. They give so much — and they do it because they care — but they rarely get to hear the full impact they’re having.
We kept thinking: what if we could give teachers something they could keep? Not another mug — but a reminder of why they matter.
What’s been incredible is seeing how much kids actually have to say — they just need a little help getting started.
Hannah: To help with that, we use simple prompts like:
“You’re a great teacher because…”
“You have taught me that…”
“I like the way you explain…”
Once they begin, the most honest and unexpected reflections come out — often things a teacher would never otherwise hear.
Jodie: And that’s where the magic is.
Gratitude is an important quality to cultivate. Tell us some of the things you are most grateful for.
Jodie: We’re most grateful for our kids — their health, their personalities and who they’re becoming. We’re also incredibly grateful for the teachers and mentors in their lives who help shape that.
Hannah: And honestly, we’re grateful to be living in a time where two moms with an idea can build something that solves a real-life problem and makes a positive impact — and getting to do it together.
How do you personally practice gratitude?
Hannah: For me, I have a gratitude partner — a good friend I voice note with most mornings. We just share a few things we’re grateful for. It’s a small habit, but it shifts my mindset for the day.
Jodie: For me, it’s more about quieter moments — walking my dog, being in nature and having the space to pause and reflect. It’s when I feel like I can think more clearly, without the usual noise of the day.
For both of us, it’s less about having a perfect routine and more about paying attention.
The more you notice those moments, the more they show up.
How do you teach your kids about kindness and showing appreciation?
Jodie: We’ve found it’s less about teaching it formally and more about noticing it in everyday moments. Asking questions, being curious, and helping them put words to how they feel — about people, or even small moments in their day.
Even something as simple as asking at the dinner table what they’re grateful for can open up really meaningful conversations — often about things you wouldn’t expect.
We’ve also put together some simple prompts and exercises in our free Teacher Appreciation Toolkit, so families and classrooms can practice this in an easy, natural way.
Can you give us an example of a moment when you truly felt appreciated?
Hannah: One moment that stands out was during the making of our one-minute film about the impact teachers have. I played the role of the teacher (I’m not an actor!) and Jodie surprised me with real Greatfull Mail messages to read. The reaction you see is completely real — it was genuinely emotional, and it was all captured on camera.
Jodie: That’s what we see again and again. When someone hears what they actually mean to someone else, it really lands. It’s not just a nice message — it becomes an emotional experience.
Why is showing appreciation so important, especially here in L.A.?
Hannah: We live in a world that’s busy, fast-moving and full of noise — inboxes, schedules, to-do lists. And in all of that, connection can become quick and surface-level. Taking a moment to say something meaningful cuts through that. It brings things back to what actually matters — how we make people feel.
And in a place like L.A., where life can feel full (and sometimes overwhelming), those small moments of genuine connection matter even more.
Give us a few simple actions that everyone can take to show their gratitude and appreciation.
Hannah: It’s often as simple as saying the thing you’re already thinking — instead of keeping it in your head. Letting someone know why they matter, or what they did that stayed with you.
Jodie: It doesn’t have to be big. Don’t underestimate the power of your words — they often last longer than you think.
