As a team and as a company, we say again (and will keep saying): Black lives matter. Black makers matter. Black store owners matter. Black communities matter. Black stories matter. ⁠ ⁠

The issues, dynamics, and histories being spotlighted right now are of deep importance to each of us on the Wholesale In a Box team. Structural violence and racism touch every person and institution in our country -- and so it is appropriate that recent weeks have been marked by deep emotion and turmoil. It’s also Pride Month -- a time that is both a celebration of our LGBTQIA+ community and also demands greater reflection and engagement and energy from all of us.

In the first few weeks of COVID self-isolation, I couldn’t concentrate on reading even the fluffiest of novels. That worked fine because our library was closed, I’m not into reading books on a device, and I couldn’t bring myself to spend money ordering books from Amazon that wouldn’t arrive for several weeks.

We’re big podcast fans over here — they are such a beautiful medium to connect to others in a personal, deep way. And so, at a moment when we all might need a little more inspiration and a little more company, we’re bringing you our new podcast! It's called Making Do and it’s creative inspiration for makers growing businesses in lean times.

First, I hope that you are staying healthy — mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. Many of you are facing closed markets, drops in wholesale orders, revenue hits, and overall uncertainty in your businesses. Others have increased or maintained sales, but are facing supply, shipping, or production issues. Still others are just starting your business journey and feeling unsure how to proceed. Whatever the specifics of what you are facing, it is true that there is both a crisis and an opportunity in all of this — but the stress and sadness are very real.

The Small Business Administration announced that they are offering Disaster Assistance Loans to eligible business owners. Read more about the details of the loan information and 3-part application process.

We started getting emails from makers and stores within days of coronavirus hitting the United States. So many stores began closing. And so many makers saw dizzying drops to their revenues. Day jobs were lost; markets closed and heaps of inventory languished; so many people are taking care of small children and trying to save businesses. And above all, everyone had so much uncertainty.

This is such a difficult, weird, and uncertain time for humans in general and makers and store owners in particular!

Of course, everybody has different burdens and experiences in the face of this challenge. Medical providers, teachers, parents, government officials, and everyone else each have a unique role to play in keeping themselves and the people they are responsible for safe.

Today we’re answering a common maker question that seems simple but trips a lot of makers up: Should I use a newsletter-style email or a personal email to keep in touch with my stockists? There are certainly pros and cons to each method, so we’ll take them one at a time. 

I love planning and reflection. That “big picture” time is usually the most satisfying and peaceful part of my work.
But sometimes a bigger reflection process feels overwhelming. For instance, this month, we are doing a big batch of Wholesale In a Box improvements. And when you combine that with all the rest of life and holidays and management and family -- currently I’m planning more like 12 hours in advance than 12 months in advance.

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.

When it comes to my creative business projects, I tend to work in the shelter of my own space and ideas. I don’t usually ask people for advice, trusting my own vision over what Uncle Ned Who Worked In Business thinks.