At Grasshopper, we believe that creative visionaries deserve financial partners as bold and imaginative as they are, which is why we’ve built a client-first digital bank designed to champion innovation, artistry, and entrepreneurship. One of our standout clients is PostCurious, an award-winning tabletop game publisher founded by artist and designer Rita Orlov. Known for crafting intricate, story-driven puzzles that blur the line between art and gameplay, PostCurious needed a banking partner that could match its creative energy while supporting its small business needs without the baggage of traditional financial institutions. Grasshopper delivered.
Where Art Meets Entrepreneurship
PostCurious was founded in 2018, but its roots go back further. Rita Orlov, whose background spans design and the emerging escape room industry, had long been exploring immersive storytelling experiences. “I started working in escape rooms back when they just started opening in the United States. It was actually the 2nd escape room to have opened in the U.S. Most people didn’t know that they existed yet,” Rita recalls. Her transition into tabletop games was both natural and strategic. “Because I didn’t have the capital or desire to open my own live escape room, I decided just to try designing tabletop games.”
What began as a personal creative endeavor soon grew into something more. Rather than mass-market replication, PostCurious focuses on immersive, one-time experiences that leave a lasting impression where every design decision supports the narrative and player engagement. “We strive to make games that feel more like an experience. To me, that means making sure all the elements of the game are really cohesive. The art and tactile components are integrated into the story, and it makes sense with the puzzles, and the puzzles drive the story forward.”
Banking with Integrity, Not Institutions
For Rita, banking isn’t just about managing money, it’s about aligning with institutions that reflect the same care and intention she puts into her own work. Like many creative small business owners, Rita faced challenges navigating traditional banking systems. Her values—prioritizing community, ethics, and accessibility—didn’t align with the big banks. “I am not a fan of big banks. It’s hard to find solutions that aren’t unethical,” Rita explains.
But that mindset typically comes with tradeoffs. Smaller banks and credit unions often lack the technological compatibility or infrastructure needed to support growing businesses. “I was trying to find a business banking solution that was not one of the big banks, which comes with its own challenge because then there’s fewer integrations.”
That’s where Grasshopper stood out – offering integrity without compromise. For a business like PostCurious, which operates in a niche but globally connected creative industry, seamless digital tools aren’t a luxury; they’re essential. “Thankfully, that hasn’t been a problem with Grasshopper,” Rita notes. Grasshopper offers a rare combination: the values and agility of a smaller company, paired with the infrastructure and digital maturity needed to keep up with today’s entrepreneurial demands.
Financial Solutions for the Creatively Driven
Running a small business like PostCurious means balancing creativity with the operational demands of a growing business. Grasshopper’s values-driven approach and digital-first platform made it an ideal match. “I don’t deal too much with cash,” Rita explains. “We also rarely deal with checks.” With limited need for in-person banking, Rita found that Grasshopper’s digital-first model aligned seamlessly with the way PostCurious works.
Beyond convenience, Grasshopper also offered something deeper: tools that respected the realities of running a creatively driven small business where imagination and practicality must coexist. “It’s definitely nice to not have to pay money to keep money in an account,” she shares. And products like our high-yield savings account help clients maximize the value of every dollar.
“When we do have more cash flow available, it’s nice to be able to make a little bit of interest on that. That was another reason why I went with Grasshopper. A lot of the larger banks give you 0.01% interest.”Rita Orlov, Founder & Designer, PostCurious
Grasshopper provides more than just digital banking—it delivers practical financial solutions tailored for the unique challenges of an artist-led small business. From eliminating unnecessary fees to helping PostCurious earn meaningful interest on idle funds, every feature is built to provide tangible benefits where they matter most. This thoughtful approach gives Rita the freedom to stay focused on building, not battling bureaucracy.
Real Support, When It Matters
Grasshopper has become a trusted financial partner for PostCurious, offering not just banking, but a sense of stability and support through every stage of the company’s journey. “It’s been useful as a banking tool,” says Rita Orlov. “When I did need to make a big transfer, I was able to just call and have someone actually answer the phone right away. That was huge.”
Grasshopper’s responsive service also gave Rita peace of mind during pivotal moments, including navigating new legal and financial structures after relocating the business from New York to California. By transitioning more of PostCurious’s banking activity to Grasshopper, Rita was able to build the financial track record needed for future growth.
“We moved all our stuff to Grasshopper so we could show our income when we eventually need to apply for a line of credit or a loan,” she explains. For small businesses like PostCurious, gaining access to capital can be a steep climb. Grasshopper helps chip away at those barriers with modern digital banking tools and reliable infrastructure that empowers rather than complicates.
Powering Growth, One Puzzle at a Time
What sets Grasshopper apart is its ability to provide ethical, accessible digital banking services to creative small businesses like PostCurious—starting from day one. The onboarding process is smooth, and support is immediate. And while Grasshopper operates as a fully digital bank, it never loses sight of the importance of personal connection.
“I appreciate that I can talk to a person right away, especially now when you call anywhere, it’s just phone trees and hold times. It is really refreshing to have a human respond immediately and do what I need them to do."Rita Orlov, Founder & Designer, PostCurious
This kind of direct, dependable support creates a foundation of trust and efficiency that carries through the entire banking relationship. Instead of spending hours navigating bureaucracy and red tape, Rita gains more time and mental space to focus on creativity and growth. And with a banking partner that aligns with her values and supports her workflow, Rita can concentrate on what she does best – designing imaginative, immersive experiences.
