As I sat down last weekend, to write a New Year’s message, I found it unusually difficult. Not because there wasn’t much to celebrate businesswise in 2024 – on the contrary, we’ve achieved a lot together in 2024:
• We realized with 60% of our brands a YOY growth of 50% up to 300%!
• We expanded with one European and two German web shops for 3 of our brands
• We added the Galaxus marketplace in Switzerland as sales channel
• We partnered with Dexport for German SEO/SEA and Social Media Ads for 2 of our brands
• We implemented GPSR compliance for more than 1,500 SKUs and GDPR compliance on all our sales channels across Europe
• We started working with VAT agencies in Poland and the Czech Republic, enabling stock keeping and shorter shipping distances for these countries
• We partnered up with “Regainables” to recuperate lost & damaged item losses at Amazon, saving time and money for our brands.
• We redefined processes and developed roadmaps with our brands, thus strengthening our partnerships. Integrating into internal structures, we were able to improve our overall services.
But – at the same time we live in a world of conflict, displacement, personal challenges, and environmental crisis.
The world has become more interconnected, yet somehow more detached from the human partnerships that once defined business.
When I founded ESSD Consulting in 2006, my dream was to become an ambassador for sustainable, foreign brands, leveraging my multicultural, linguistic, and organizational skills to help companies access the European market. I thrived on growing brands, negotiating with real people and partnerships rooted in trust.
But the world has changed. Marketplaces have taken over a large part of the retail space, and success now seems to hinge on algorithms, marketing budgets, and logistics, rather than genuine human connections and quality of product. As new players like Temu and Shein disrupt the market in the most unsustainable way, we’re reminded of the immense impact of consumer culture— not just on businesses, but on biodiversity and civilization itself.
So, does our work matter in the big scheme of things? I believe it does. Because change starts with awareness.
Because:
• We realize the urgency and the need of a sustainable perspective
• We are committed as a team to work on the future-worthy marketplaces of tomorrow. A world where we can enjoy products which are good for us and the world
• We remain committed to working with inspiring people that share our vision of positive change
• We aim to stand for products and business ethics that are future-proof and environmentally conscious
In 2025, we look forward to meeting more inspiring people. Because together, we can create meaningful impact, one step at a time.
To a healthy, successful, loving 2025 of positive change!
Dagmar & The ESSD Consulting Team
