Many times, a maker comes to us with a beautiful product and an incredible production process but their photos are just not great. They’re a little dark, slightly blurry, the setup isn’t ideal, and the spirit of the product itself isn’t coming through. Or sometimes the mechanics of the photos are good, but there’s no beauty to them, nothing really compelling -- the pieces feel dead and uninteresting.

Have you ever had to call a store owner by phone and felt a little stumped about what to say? This post is for you!

For the most part, when you're reaching out to stores that you don't have a previous connection to, we recommend using email. The main reason is that most store owners really want to be with their customers when they’re in the shop -- so they prefer not to have an in-person or telephone interruption. Plus, email has the added benefit of allowing you the time to craft your story, think through your email template, and attach a few beautiful photos of your work to make a good first impression.

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?

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.

An in-depth, experience-based review of Overjoy AI for wholesale makers covering its CRM, automations, Shopify and Faire integrations, lead generation potential, pricing, pros, cons, and practical alternatives.

A sharp, maker-first reminder that wholesale success starts on the shelf. How to ask and answer the one question every growing product business should be obsessed with: how your product sells itself, and why a customer will choose it.

Curiosity isn’t a luxury, it’s the practice that helps wholesale businesses move from survival toward something more resilient and human. That’s why we’re making 2026 the year of curious wholesale.

Some of the most important wholesale truths are things I don’t say out loud that often. But if I could sit down with you and tell you the real stuff that makes wholesale actually work — these are the five things I’d say.

Believe me when I tell you that this article is written by someone who does not have a natural affinity for AI. But here’s the thing: AI really is one of the most powerful tools humanity has ever created. As small business owners who want to make a living, express creativity, and build the world we want to live in, I don’t think avoiding AI serves us.

Most of us know the difference between revenue and profit: Revenue is the money that comes in; Profit is what is left after the bills are paid. The math is simple. What’s complicated is how we relate to it.

If you create products that you care about — whether you make them yourself or design them thoughtfully — selling wholesale can be one of the most grounding and consistent ways to grow your business. But wholesale can also feel uncertain. Wholesale In a Box exists to answer your questions in a way that is practical, kind, repeatable, and deeply effective.

If you’re a maker or small brand, it’s easy to forget how meaningful your work really is. It’s easy to feel like you’re hustling to sell tea towels while the world burns behind you. 😂 I do understand that. But after a recent day out with my mom and sister, I was reminded how small stores, handmade goods, and the simple act of buying something in person can bring us back to each other. And about the quiet, beautiful work of connection that you’re part of every day.