Hej, I’m Therese: your small business big sister
Even at the start of my career in home and gifts (way back in 2008!), I’ve always loved the creativity of small businesses.
Years ago when I was heading up a sales team, I had a conversation with a buyer at a trade show saying exactly this, and specifically talking about some of the independent businesses that I loved. She said that though she loved them too she could never buy from them, because their pricing wasn’t set up to accommodate it.
It felt like such a shame that these brilliant people were making such incredible products, and at the same time missing the wholesale foundations. But it also felt like a lightbulb had switched on in my brain with the idea for Small Business Collaborative, and I officially brought it to life in 2018.
Since then I’ve worked with creative and purpose-driven brands such as Studio Wald, Fox under the Moon, Claude & Co, Etta Loves, Hello Day Planner, Sandwick Bay and many others, and have helped clients and students get stocked in Liberty, John Lewis, Anthropologie, Oliver Bonas, Selfridges and independent shops around the world.
I’m going to hold your hand when I say this(because that’s my style: nurturing, approachable, and there to help you at every step):
Selling and wholesale shouldn’t drain you. In fact, they should energise you!
I believe in creating a repeatable system that works for your way of selling, rather than against it (because as an introvert, I completely understand how important it is to find something that’s comfortable!) I blend mindset and reframes with practical tips and knowledge, so that you can stop the overthinking that comes with selling and wholesale, without overhauling everything that makes you you!
PROUDLY WORKED WITH:
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You’re wildly creative, talented and capable…
You want to expand, reach more customers, and share more creativity with more people. Maybe you want to grow because you want to leave a day job that drains you, outsource the tasks that you’ve never enjoyed in the first place, or you want to hire your first team members. Maybe you even want to buy your first home (something four of my clients have been able to do after working on their wholesale!)
…and I’m the wholesale mentor and sales specialist who can help you make this happen.
I’m Swedish (though the Ø in my last name, Ørtenblad, is actually from my Danish husband), a keen traveller, obsessed with Below Deck and trash tv, and own a cute (even if I am biased) dog called Milo. I’m also currently on a journey of connecting with my heritage, as I’m learning lots about my adoption from South Korea.
My mission is to help you find joy, ease and confidence in selling so you can build a profitable businesses that work for your lifestyle.
Things you definitely do not need to know about me but may want to read anyway:
Favourite food :
Korean food - it's the most accessible way for me to feel connected with my heritage. Second favorite, is anything potato based, and popcorn, I love popcorn.
Most likely to binge:
Below Deck! I’m obsessed! Before lockdown, I really wasn’t into reality TV, but now it’s my favourite past-time. Oh, and MAFS Australia, K-drama and hotel reviews on YouTube.
Drink of choice:
Coffee, always coffee, it’s honestly the only drink I would never want to give up. I tried, for a week, and I never felt so ill! + Lately I've been loving my matcha, does that make me a cliche?
Favourite travel destination:
South Korea, France, anywhere in Asia, basically anywhere with great food.
Favourite blooms:
Tulips and Peonies.
What do you collect:
Notebooks and anything stationery related, stripy tops, and too many open tabs on both my computer and phone, the latter is currently on 86!
Will probably always be stuck in the early 00’s!
Music taste:
Someday I would like to:
Be an angel investor.
"We now have 30 stockists in total - and that number is growing steadily!"
Stacey - Fox under the moon
Why work with me
Customers
I'm an introvert
17 years experience
One of my first customers was John Lewis and Liberty and I sold to both the high street and indpendents here in the UK and abroad.
I've found a way of selling that is comfortable to me. I recoqnise and celebrate the human element of selling.
I worked in the home and gift industry since 2008 and I've managed sales teams with big targets. 10 years selling, nearly 8 years helping brands grow.
My method
Nurturing, kind, down-to-earth, approachable, knowledge based on experience and motivating.
Never stop learning
I keep up to date with industry news and developments so I can give relevant advice.
What I believe and how I work
STEP #1
Knowledge breeds confidence
STEP #2
Plan for creative freedom
STEP #3
Strategy
We plug any gaps in your knowledge so you can avoid costly mistakes and time-wasting.
Processes (plans) are your friend, especially if you’re someone who feels icky about selling. They allow you to grow your sales on autopilot.
Where are your sales leading you? Are you on the right track to build the profitable business you want? How will you hire that next team member, pay for that new garden studio?
I've been a guest on a fair few podcasts over the years, talking wholesale, building a business that actually works for your life, and the occasional/frequent 🤦♀️ tangent. If you want to get to know me a little better, or just binge all things wholesale and small business, press play, grab a coffee, take the dog for a walkies, there are 17+ hours to settle in.
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