Interview: Oi Soi Oi.
Oi Soi Oi combines Danish simplicity with Asian craftsmanship. Behind the brand are Britt Goodall and Christina Thorbøll, who, driven by their passion for traditional craftsmanship, have created a unique universe of beautiful products. Read on to discover their journey – and why they chose pensopay as their payment solution.
During a meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, the two partners developed a shared fascination with Asian craftsmanship. With a desire to bridge cultures and reduce prejudices, the idea for the interior design business Oi Soi Oi was born.
By 2007, Britt was already living in Vietnam, having established a solid network of small workshops across various villages. Christina, with a background in sales and marketing, joined forces with Britt to launch the business.
“We knew from the start that we didn’t want to build a large operation. We both believe that running a business should be enjoyable. At the same time, we want full insight into everything happening in the company, and we place great importance on knowing the people we work with. For instance, we like to have extensive knowledge of all the small workshops where our products are made,” Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.
Lacquer and Tradition: 17 Years of Love for Asian Craftsmanship
Over the course of 17 years, Oi Soi Oi has maintained a deep appreciation for lacquer products. Lacquerware is an ancient Asian tradition that has been crafted for over 1,000 years. Oi Soi Oi also creates lamps and other interior products using silk, paper, bamboo, and other raw materials rooted in Vietnam – all inspired by the resources available locally.
Building on traditional craftsmanship, Britt and Christina infuse their creations with a Nordic touch, characterized by Scandinavian simplicity. In this way, Oi Soi Oi aims to blend styles and create their own unique universe.
Cultural Bridge-Building Through Sustainable Collaboration
With relationships at the core, Oi Soi Oi also adapts to the local culture. They are fully aware that in Vietnam, resources may be limited. For instance, Oi Soi Oi ensures that suppliers are paid immediately and that a fair price is negotiated for the work being done – under the same conditions as negotiations would occur back home.
Simplicity and Innovation: Oi Soi Oi’s Vision for the Future
Oi Soi Oi’s dream is to run a sustainable business that brings them joy, without the need for lofty ambitions. Their plan is simple: to continue as they are, maintaining close relationships with their suppliers and focusing on organic growth. At the same time, they remain open to new opportunities and development.
In 2023, such an opportunity arose when a Danish-American partner approached Oi Soi Oi, offering assistance in entering the U.S. market.
Collaboration, Trust, and Choosing pensopay as the Payment Solution
When establishing a new website, Oi Soi Oi worked closely with their digital marketing experts from GrowBix, who recommended pensopay as the payment solution.
“It’s an area where my expertise doesn’t go very far, so of course, we listen to those who really know what they’re talking about. They work with web development and digital marketing and had encountered pensopay through previous clients who had positive experiences with you as a payment solution. That’s why they advised us to choose pensopay when the decision had to be made,” Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.
“Whenever I’ve reached out to your customer service for something I didn’t understand, there’s always been help available. For example, Shopify is completely new to us, and you’ve always been ready to assist. Since we implemented pensopay as our payment solution, we’ve had nothing but positive experiences,” Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.
Words of Wisdom from One Entrepreneur to Another
A strong foundation starts with solid financial management. “We started, like many other entrepreneurs, completely from scratch. As an experienced economist, I knew it was fundamental to have control over the finances. It’s essential for running a business. We haven’t reached where we are today without making plenty of mistakes – but we’ve always kept an eye on the financial consequences,”Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.
In addition to the financial aspect of starting and running a business, it’s also crucial to be able to sell your product, whether you’re a natural salesperson or not. “You can either put on the salesperson’s hat yourself or find a partner who’s good at it,” Christina Thorbøll, Oi Soi Oi.
Thank you so much for the conversation, Christina. We are very proud to call you and Oi Soi Oi our partner.
Team pensopay
