Now he and his wife, Erin West, who live in Willow Glen, are the owners of Signed and Sealed, a boutique invitations, cards and gifts store specializing in invitations and announcements on Lincoln Avenue.

"He's always wanted to own his own business," said Erin, who is a Santa Clara County Deputy DA. "The more I heard about the business, the more I thought it would be perfect for us."

And switching from an employee to an owner was a natural transition for Greg.

As a kid mowing lawns to working at a fast-food business in high school to buying things wholesale on the Internet and selling them on eBay, Greg has had a passion for operating his own ventures.

He never had a preference for what kind of business he would own, but he says like any other typical male he didn't know much about wedding invitations. So in the store, if he notices a groom hanging back, with that uncertain look, he can immediately relate to their situation.

"It's ironic that now that I'm learning all about weddings," he says. West met his wife four years ago through an online dating service. "The Internet has worked out for me in more ways than one."

Greg West works full time at the store's office and has used his technical background to design the store's webpage. Erin West continues to work in the DA's office prosecuting child molesters and other sex offenders. Happy with her job as an attorney, Erin sometimes works in the store on weekends and makes buying decisions at home from catalogs. The business also gives Erin an opportunity to switch gears.

"Working at the store enables me to use my really creative side, which I don't get to use as much as a prosecutor," Erin said.

The former owner, Lisa Richard, sold her four-year-old business in August to the Wests to stay home with her newborn infant.

"We are not changing the name or the style," said Greg. The owners plan to maintain the stores continuity, keeping the same products and general manager because of its loyal customer base.

But the Wests have made some changes by adding some high-end wedding products at their customers' requests and extending the store's weekday hours. The owners also plan to be open on Sundays beginning in October.

"We're also expanding our capacity to take family photos and do invitations," Greg said.

The boutique stationery store attracts customers who have previously ordered bridal invitations, returning for baby-shower stationery, Greg said.

"Business has been brisk," he added.

West said that he plans to get involved in the local business community on the avenue and has signed a long-term lease.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the economy crank up," he said.

When customers who only live a mile away have never heard about the store, West's background in marketing kicks into high gear.

As for owning his own company, he said, "Everybody said it would be a lot of work. It's more work, but it's satisfying."

He says the experience has renewed his knowledge that you have to do what you love.

"I'm loving what I'm doing, I have a five-minute commute, and I'm still waiting for there to be a catch," he said.

Signed and Sealed is located at 1314 Lincoln Ave, Suite D. For more information, call 408.999.0124 or visit http://www.signedsealed.com.