BLOG

Wholesale Basics, Growing Wholesale Emily Kerr-Finell Wholesale Basics, Growing Wholesale Emily Kerr-Finell

I Have a New Line Coming Out… Do I Pitch to Stores Now or Wait for the New Stuff?

The question goes like this:

“I’m curious about pitching when you’re in the midst of putting together a new line sheet for the next season. I plan on having a new line sheet with lots of new cards around mid August (that’s the theory anyway) and I wasn’t sure if I should wait to pitch to new retailers until it’s ready? Or should I pitch them my current line sheet and just not worry about that?

Read More
Growing Wholesale, Wholesale Basics Emily Kerr-Finell Growing Wholesale, Wholesale Basics Emily Kerr-Finell

When to Send Samples to a Store and When Not to

oday we wanted to talk about a topic that’s always kind of squishy and discomforting for makers: when should I go to the expense and effort of sending samples?

Now, this is a topic with a lot of different approaches and opinions. Every maker is different, every store has different requirements, and there are no hard and fast rules. But today we’re sharing two simple perspectives that might help take the pressure off -- while also helping your products to rest happily on new stores’ shelves.

Read More
Inspiration & Ideas Emily Kerr-Finell Inspiration & Ideas Emily Kerr-Finell

A Simple Way to Make Tough Business Decisions

We’ve worked with entrepreneurs around the world and with makers at every stage of their businesses. We’ve advised people with multi-million dollar businesses and those who are down to their last pennies. So we’ve seen a lot of folks make a lot of crucial decisions. And we certainly face a lot of them, as business owners.

Read More
Growing Wholesale, Wholesale Basics Emily Kerr-Finell Growing Wholesale, Wholesale Basics Emily Kerr-Finell

The Big Outreach Mistake Most Makers Make

In the last few weeks, we’ve shared a bit about how to reframe rejections and what that bewildering email from a store owner might actually mean.

And this week we want to share the big outreach mistake that most makers make. When it comes to outreach to stores, many people take “no’s” simultaneously TOO seriously and not seriously enough. On one hand, most people are way too emotionally reactive about getting no's. Each silence or negative reaction causes a tailspin of fear and desperation.

Read More
Growing Wholesale Emily Kerr-Finell Growing Wholesale Emily Kerr-Finell

A Little Detail When Emailing Stores That Makes A Big Difference

Time after time we have heard stockists say that the biggest factor in determining if they are going to order from a new maker is if they feel that the product is right for them. The sooner you are able to help them see the beauty of what you have made, the better -- and since some of them won’t make it to your website, you need to help them out.

Read More

The Owner of Two Destination Stores Tells Us What Every Maker Should Know

Liz Sieber’s stores are simultaneously super-friendly and exquisitely curated and designed. Walking into Omoi Zakka or Sieber’s new store, Select Shop 215, feels like stepping into a story that unfolds shelf by shelf. The gorgeously practical is nestled next to the outrageously creative -- and it’s all with a consistent voice and point of view. Handmade goods sit alongside Japanese imports; luxurious splurges and economical little items both have their spots. It’s the kind of place that is as inspiring as any museum, but also so accessible and welcoming that you feel instantly at home. 

Read More

Deciding Whether To Email Stores or Send a Package? These Penguins Might Help.

Over here at Wholesale In a Box, we’re really passionate about something we call “Penguin Tactics.” Penguin Tactics is our name for when a maker does something bold, remarkable, generous, and beautiful to connect with a store or customer. We named these incredible little acts of connection “Penguin Tactics” because of something that our friends at the Unreasonable Institute do.

Read More