Therese Ørtenblad is a speaker, educator and workshop leader with nearly two decades in the home and gift industry.
"I help founders stop guessing about wholesale and start selling in a way that actually feels like them."
Therese Oertenblad is a wholesale expert with nearly 2 decades of experience in the home and gifts industry, who started Small Business Collaborative to help small businesses price their products for profit, and find their way of selling that doesn’t feel icky.
Her warm, nurturing, approachable style has secured her as a regular speaker at trade events, delivering workshops and webinars that demystify wholesale and help founders get started. She’s spoken at the likes of Spring Fair, Autumn Fair and Top Drawer and Scotland’s Trade Fair, and sits on the national committee for The Giftware Association.
Available for:
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Trade show workshops and seminars
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Panel discussions
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Podcast guest appearances
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Webinars and online events
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Member events and association talks
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Roundtable facilitation
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Brand partnerships and collaborations
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Keynote speaking
What I bring to your audience
For product-based business owners:
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How to get your first stockist (without cold calling or a trade show)
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Pricing for profit: what most small businesses get wrong
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How to sell without feeling like a pushy salesperson
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Building a wholesale strategy that works around your life
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What buyers actually want (and how to give it to them)
For industry organisations and trade events:
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What small businesses need to hear about wholesale in 2025
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Why creative founders struggle to sell, and what that costs them
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Building confidence in sales: a practical workshop for product businesses
Personal and broader business topics:
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Running a business as an introvert: selling, networking and showing up online when the world seems built for extroverts
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Building a business that works around your life: what it really looks like to grow without burning out or losing yourself in the process
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Growing up between cultures: how your identity shapes the way you show up in business
Don't see exactly what you're looking for? I'm always open to creating something bespoke for your audience. Get in touch and let's talk it through.
Some of the events and organisations I've worked with
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Kind words
“Therese has been a huge asset to Scotland’s Trade Fairs. From providing pre-Show webinars to our new exhibitors on how to prepare for shows and venture into wholesale, to one-to-one SOS sessions with our Launch Gallery, judging our Best Product Awards and leading sessions in our Talking Shop Seminar Theatre, Therese imparts her retail knowledge in a friendly, approachable and highly professional way.
Her experience in retail is exceptional and it’s been great to have her working with our newer exhibitors.”
“Therese did a fantastic job leading a retailer panel discussion at Spring Fair.
The Growth Map’ session struck a great balance between honest challenges and actionable advice and clearly resonated with retailers in our audience looking to scale without losing their identity.
She’s a natural facilitator and a fantastic retail expert, bringing meaningful insights to brands and retailers.”
Mark Saunders, Scotland’s Trade Fair Show Director and MD, Springboard Events
Keterina Albanese, Head of Production, Spring Fair
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A bit more about me
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I've helped hundreds of product-based business owners start and grow their wholesale, from landing their first stockist to building consistent, repeatable sales.
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I host the podcast Let's Talk Shop, where I interview founders, buyers and industry experts.
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I sit on the national committee for The Giftware Association and am a regular presence at the UK's major trade shows.
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As a Korean adoptee raised in Sweden and now living in the UK, I bring a perspective on identity and belonging that shapes everything from how I run my business to how I show up for my community.
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My style is warm, practical and direct. Audiences leave with something they can actually use.
Podcast appearances
I've been lucky enough to chat wholesale, selling and small business on some brilliant podcasts over the years.
Have a listen and get a feel for how I talk about the things I love.
And if you think I'd be a good fit for your show, I'd love to hear from you.