Want to get your products seen by a shop owner?  Here’s what NOT to do!

Every single week I receive emails, messages and in-store visits from creatives hoping I’ll be interested in stocking their products at The Ruby Orchard. And honestly, our shop wouldn’t be what it is without the incredibly talented makers who supply us. Every piece that arrives has been created with passion, care and a whole lot of heart — and that deserves respect and proper consideration before I ever place an order.

Approaching a shop owner and making a first impression is your very first step in building a strong, long-term relationship. When done well, it opens doors. When done poorly (often unintentionally), it can close them just as quickly.

So, with kindness and honesty, here are my two biggest what not to do’s when approaching a shop owner.

1. Turning up unannounced with a box full of handmade goodies

This is my biggest no-no — and here’s why.

My time in store is precious. Between running the shop, a workshop with four full time carpenters, juggling meetings with the other two business I work for and raising two boys, my days are carefully planned. Turning up without warning can throw that balance completely off, and when my day feels chaotic, I’m far less likely to be in the right headspace to place an order.

When I’m in the shop, my priority is always my customers. I want them to feel relaxed, inspired and fully supported. If I’m suddenly asked to review products, discuss wholesale pricing or talk minimum order quantities on the shop floor, I feel torn — and your beautiful work doesn’t get the attention it deserves.

There’s also a behind-the-scenes element to wholesale that simply isn’t appropriate to discuss in front of customers. Pricing conversations and business negotiations belong in a private, unrushed space — not at the till while someone is browsing nearby.

And finally, when you arrive with a box of samples and expect an immediate decision, it can feel incredibly uncomfortable. If your work isn’t quite right for my store, telling you that face-to-face, on the spot, is hard. And if your products are a great fit, I want time to sit with them, think about them, and build an order thoughtfully — not react under pressure.

What to do instead:
Pick up the phone or send an email first. Learn my name. Ask for my contact details. Request an appointment. When you do that, I can set aside time just for you — time where I’m present, calm and able to give your work my full attention.

2. Dropping off a box of samples “to look at in my own time”

This might sound like a helpful solution, but in reality, it often becomes a burden.

A box of samples needs somewhere safe to live. I have to make sure it doesn’t get lost, damaged, stolen or accidentally squashed behind the counter. Then I need to remember to contact you, arrange collection and manage yet another moving piece in an already busy space.

Yes, it exposes me to your products — but it skips the most important part: you.

I want to meet the person behind the work. I want to hear how your products are made, what inspired them, what materials you use and why you believe they belong in my store. That story matters just as much as the product itself.

What to do instead:
Again — make an appointment. Choose a time that suits both of us. Ask if you can email details beforehand: images, a catalogue, pricing or a line sheet. That way I arrive at our meeting already familiar with your work, and we can have a meaningful, relaxed conversation.

Approaching a shop owner doesn’t have to feel intimidating. With a little preparation, respect for time, and a warm, professional approach, you’re already setting the foundation for a beautiful working relationship.

We truly hope to see you soon — by appointment!