Tickets are $10 and include lunch.
Understanding wholesale is not for the faint of heart.
You’ve made something people love. Maybe you’ve sold it at markets, online, or through your own shop. And now you’re wondering what would it look like to sell wholesale?
Wholesale can open new doors, but it also changes how you run your business. Pricing looks different. Production looks different. The pace, the expectations, the relationships all shifts.
We’re bringing together a group of makers and business owners who have been in it. They’ve figured some things out the hard way.
This conversation is about the real side of wholesale. Not just the highlight reel.
We’ll talk about:
- how to know if wholesale is the right next step
- what it actually takes to price your work sustainably
- how to handle larger orders without burning out
- what shop owners are really looking for
- and the mistakes you can avoid if you hear them first
There will be time for questions, honest answers, and the kind of insight you don’t always get from a Google search.
Come listen, learn, and take what makes sense for where you are.
Panelists:
Scott Schimmel is Co-Owner of Bliss + Tori Mason Shoes, Bliss Home and Golden Threads, bringing extensive entrepreneurial experience to the clothing, furniture and home decor sector in Knoxville, TN. As co-owner, they provide business management and operational oversight. Their responsibilities include strategic planning and contributing to the company’s curated selection of products.
Their background reflects a strong focus on community leadership and cultural preservation. Scott served as President and Board Member at the Bijou Theatre, contributing to the cultural and economic development of Knoxville through all-inclusive access to the arts. They also served as a Board Member at Knox Heritage, an organization dedicated to advocacy, education, investment, and engagement in historic preservation. Their work with Knox Heritage involved protecting and celebrating the unique heritage of Knoxville, ensuring that the city’s historical spaces are preserved. Scott contributes as a Board Member for the City of Knoxville on the Civil Service Merit Board and previously on the Empower Zone Taskforce. Scott is also active in the Fourth & Gill Neighborhood and the West High School Foundation.
Paris Woodhull received her BFA in 2D Art with a concentration in Painting & Drawing from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She launched her illustration business from her dorm room in 2015, and it has since grown into her full-time creative career.
For the past three years, Paris also operated a storefront in downtown Knoxville, where she produced and sold her product line in-house. She closed the shop at the end of last year to focus more fully on her growing client work. Today, she continues to wholesale her products while partnering with trusted suppliers for production.
Paris offers a wide range of services, including murals, branding, social media graphics, and custom product design. She’s produced work for clients like the Tennessee Theatre, Visit Knoxville, Birkenstock, Bush’s Beans, just to name a few. Her work has been featured on Sesame Street, HGTV, They Draw & Travel, and in 25+ news segments and publications.
As an artist, Paris is drawn to bold color, community stories, and anything that sparks joy. Her illustrations celebrate Knoxville, human connection, and all things colorful.
Sarah Loebner:
With a degree in fine art, a background in advertising & design, and an obsession with toffee, Sarah started Towns Toffee in 2018 to help fund a mission trip to Brazil. She handles everything from package design to recipe development. With kids at home and her husband, Josh who is legally blind, she craved the ability to control her own schedule. Between her husband and small business owner mother, and her years helping other businesses build their brands, entrepreneurship has been a seamless transition for Sarah with the added support from the Co.Starters program at KEC.
Get to know Towns Toffee
Towns Toffee is a woman-owned artisanal toffee company in Sweetwater, Tennessee. Made with love and locally sourced ingredients—never corn syrup or artificial flavors—our toffee comes in bags, boxes, and bulk to delight your eyes and taste buds. From our signature Original Milk Chocolate Toffee to the one-of-a-kind Oh My Crackers Toffee, we craft classic and seasonal flavors just for you.