We like to call FAIRLING an online dating site for brands: the goal is to get a perfect and long-lasting match between brands and stores. And we can tell you this much: there is already quite an amount of great FAIRLING-Love Stories to tell. One of them is the story of wearetreed.
Wearetreed works with us on FAIRLING since October, 2021. With their innovative and sustainably produced chargers made out of wood from local sources and compostable wheat straw material they have received over 10 requests from interested retailers who wanted to sell a piece of nature from wearetreed in their local stores. The love story between wearetreed and the unique retailers was a full success. Through FAIRLING wearetreed has been able to form long-lasting partnerships that still last to this date.
Wearetreed was founded by Roman and Tomas on the ambition of creating sustainable chargers made from local and compostable materials that meet modern design solutions and don’t destroy our environment. Wearetreeds’s universe unfolds in the field of tension between innovative technology and leaving a sustainable green footprint.
“Our mission is to provide a sustainable alternative in modern life accessories. The goal is to allow customers to live fully with their devices at home or the office with the lowest environmental impact possible. To do that, we use cutting edge sustainable materials and alternatives, low impact packaging, minimal design to prevent waste. But there are more actions. For every product made, we, for example, plant a tree and support causes that help the environment and implement an opportunity for customers to make positive choices. How? We put a couple of tree seeds inside every package to grow trees or bee grass. Together we are recharging nature.”
How did it all start? What is the idea behind wearetreed?
Roman: The story started amidst 2020 pandemic lockdowns when I called my old friend Tomas on Zoom. I am a technical graduate originally from the Czech Republic but I’ve lived in Berlin for 5 years now so we had a lot to catch up on. After a couple minutes, I brought up that I made a thing in my spare quarantine time. It was a handmade wooden wireless charger. After some arguing with me about turning this into a large-scale project, Tomas activated his experience from advertisement and brand building. After a couple more calls, we were hooked. We decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign. In a few months we made prototypes, designed a brand, created a website and successfully crowdfunded the whole thing. All remotely, involving more than 4 places in Germany and Czech Republic.
Tomas: Yeah, it was a challenge, and to be honest at first, it seemed unimaginable. But after a few brainstormings and shaping the business, we found the deeper purpose and message. Our first product, the treed charger, will be a simple switch from the plastic chargers we all know into one made locally and sustainably from wood. The process will be fair, done in Europe and with as little waste as possible. And to make the message even more profound, we will plant trees and incorporate a couple of seeds into the packaging for people to grow after unboxing. So we did the Kickstarter, funded it successfully, and the treed charger got popular.
We also did some quick math. If we make approximately 1 000 chargers from one tree, and for every charger sold, we plant a tree, we can make one tree plant 1 000 trees. We took this approach and applied it to everything we make and plan now. Circularity and sustainability is not only more ecological but also logical for us. That’s all that is wearetreed about.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE BRAND? TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF.
Roman: I am the CEO and technical director responsible for our products from the first scratch through tooling to final production and packaging. Next to that, I drive daily operations and sales. That means I can apply my B2B sales experience from the Czech Republic and fintech experience from 5 years in Germany.
Tomas: I started as a copywriter in one of Czechs biggest electronics e-stores, then switched to freelance creative and fell in love with web design and everything creative. I also worked for a couple of advertising agencies. Around that time, I got sad that only the big ones could afford top-quality creativity. So I started my own small agency, then Covid hit and Roman called. Now I am here and lead creative and marketing in wearetreed.
We also work with a team of freelancers and friends and family for our ideas. For example Romans father supervises our production thanks to his extensive experience in manufacturing. And without our Art Director Lucie and photographer Tomáš we wouldn’t have such a clean and minimal brand look.
What was your favorite highlight or happy moment in the last months?
Roman: It was when we got inquiries from 2 major global companies. It proved that we are on the right path and that we’re being seen even without bulky marketing budgets. Also, it was my first time to launch something of this scale, so seeing that my dream came to life was really reassuring and felt almost unreal.
Tomas: For me, it was the challenge of sculpting a new brand and turning the abstract concepts into words, symbols and images. In the beginning, it was difficult to explain to people that making a charger is just a start for us, and we are about higher principles. But then the D day came, and we launched our Kickstarter; people loved our video and message. It all clicked together and made me feel really proud of us. And also helped to shake the impostor syndrome a bit.
In marketing and sales, you rely on strong, long-term relationships with your retailers. Why do they choose you?
Tomas: We are really demanding. We don’t cut corners and people we work with, photos, videos, materials and all the quality has to be top-notch. And also, we always push the environmental message first. This whole package works as a filter that rules someone who is in only for the quick buck, wants to greenwash, or is dishonest. And that is why our partners are so incredible. Because we align our values.
Roman: We offer something new and cutting edge. From the other side I also expect only fair and straightforward business discussion.
You have received 10 requests from 5 different countries at FAIRLING so far. Can you give us a little background information on one of these love stories?
Roman: We are in the beginning of our journey, so in most of the cases, we are in the sample request stage, but we are looking forward to what these partnerships will bring to us.
Tomas: I love Roman for being so humble and down-to-earth (that’s what makes our business run, by the way). But I see that every store, customer or company that we got in contact with totally digs our energy and ideas. So yeah, the love story usually comes from a bit of mystery to some deeper conversations and mutual positive emotions.
This is the love story we are looking for at FAIRLING. Bringing unique brands and wonderful retailers together so they can form a long-lasting partnership that they found through FAIRLING.
Where should the journey go? What is the vision of wearetreed?
To become a go-to brand for premium modern life eco-conscious accessories and devices and to make nature a little bit happier on the way. Also, enjoy the whole process with all the people involved in our cause.
Is there anything you would definitely advise other young, emerging brands to do?
Roman: To be patient and persistent. People often expect instant success and give up when it does not come.
Tomas: Think more, take time for yourself and continually challenge your ideas. The only one in control is you – no algorithm, trend or human being has complete control over you. Your values and views count. Keep it up.
Thank you, Roman and Tomas, for the lovely interview! We wish you all the best for you and your brand! Hopefully, there will be many more Love Stories for you to experience!
Company: | Wearetreed |
Founder: | Roman Unzeitig & Tomáš Paták |
Country: | Germany & Czech Republic |
FAIRLING member since: | October, 2021 to this day |
First request: | November 09, 2021 |
Locations of interested stores through FAIRLING so far: |
9 cities |
Performance so far: | 42 interested shops, 10 requests |
Do you want to be part of FAIRLING, too?
Great, there’s a whole world of local stores waiting for your products! Just book a free demo call with one of our brand scouts – they will be very happy to talk about your possibilities on FAIRLING and answer all your questions.
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