226 – Concept to Wholesale in One Year with Meg Sutton of Belle & Union

Meg Sutton is the boss lady and doodler behind Belle & Union, a company that sells letterpress printed cards, art prints, southern-inspired wrappings and hand-crafted artisan goods brimming with vintage wit and wisdom that tote a bit of a foodie twist – all 100% made in the USA. Meg started the business in 2012 after falling in love with letterpress while working in a boutique shop. Surprisingly she went from concept to wholesale in just a single year. Belle & Union launched their first brick and mortar store in San Antonio, Texas, in July 2018. The shop houses the working studio as well as offers creative workshops across a variety of subject matters. Meg values encouraging people to slow down and enjoy the sweet moments in life, gathered ’round a table filled with smiles and laughter. When she’s not doodling or coming up with Belle & Union’s next great product, you can find her sipping chai tea, chasing her pup with her husband and curling up with a good book. Belle & Union’s products have been featured in Garden & Gun, Country Living, Rachael Ray, Southern Weddings, Southern Living, Southern Lady, and Oh So Beautiful Paper. Meg has been interviewed on KENS 5 in San Antonio, SA Live, Texas Lifestyle Magazine, Proof to Product podcast, and more. Business Building Insights Continually taking the next step will get you where you want to go. If you’re struggling, take some time to stop and look around and see what you’ve already built. Sometimes we forget how far we’ve already come. Create a cohesive brand identity and vision. By doing this you present a line to retailers that they can merchandise. Running a business is a marathon not a sprint. Look beyond that one show. For wholesale, make sure you offer your re-sellers a variety of product options to make it easier for them to reach your minimums. Shows are not just about orders. They’re also about networking and planting seeds for the future. Follow up is key to building relationships with clients. Take time to remember them after your order has been received for feedback and additional opportunity. Invest in avenues that bring new people through the door. For Meg it is in-store workshops. Treat your small business like a big business right from the start. Resources Mentioned Verb House Creative Katie Hunt and Tradeshow Bootcamp – GBU Podcast #199 Contact Links Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Gift Biz Resources Join our FREE Gift Biz Breeze Facebook Community If you found value in this podcast, make sure to subscribe and leave a review in Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. That helps us spread the word to more makers just like you. Thanks! Sue