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.

Over the next several weeks we will be writing several posts in response to what we have been hearing from the makers that we work with around putting yourself out there, rejection, what silence means, and the key mistake most makers make when sharing their work. 

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.

We are so excited and honored to share an interview that we had with (the great) Elise Blaha Cripe on Elise Gets Crafty. We talk about getting started with wholesale, what to expect from stores, what you really need to jump into wholesale, tips on terms and conditions, and more!

As we all learn and relearn as small business owners, anything that is not sustainable in the long run will have to stop, either by choice or by necessity. And we think craft shows are often one of those things, for makers.

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. 

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.

The past week has been incredibly inspiring. We’re hearing makers across the country say, “I am ready to take my business to the next level. It’s game time!” And not to sound sappy, but that is the sound of a person who has a dream and is ready to do the work to claim it -- and that is what gets us up in the morning.

We’re really into New Year’s.

Not the parties or the countdown, so much. But the chance to pause, plan, and reflect. For us, New Year’s has always felt like the end of one year, and the beginning of... whatever we want.

“How do you find stores that are a good fit for my brand?”

This is one of the questions we hear most often. We take it as a good sign when a customer asks this, because it’s an indicator that they are thinking about the right things.  

Last week, we ducked into Moon and Arrow from a cold rain and tucked our umbrellas by the door. As always, we felt like we’d entered a palpably distinct space. Lights sparkle off glass and bronze and scents waft over lovingly made displays. There are tea towels by Native Bear nestled near jewelry by Forge and Finish, by a rack of vibrant vintage, alongside pouches by Peg and Awl.

If you’re a maker who is cultivating relationships with stores, it can feel discouraging. The fact is, most seeds you sow don’t take root; and most retailers don’t respond to your emails.

The flip side (and the good news) is that if you do steady, thoughtful, consistent outreach to stores -- and if your product stands on its own -- you will get sales.