enSoie

Noelle, Elin and Sandra work at Studio enSoie. Noelle is responsible for production and sustainability management. Elin manages the online store and the website. She is also responsible for parts of the jewellery design and production. Sandra is in charge of digital marketing. They sat together in the cosy kitchen at the enSoie house and talked about working as a team. Their conversation touched on the fluid transitions between friendship and work, openness and creativity, and the sense of community that arises when working in a team.

Sandra: Working at enSoie is like working with friends. No, not just as if, I actually work with my friends, for example you two! That’s unique. I think this contributes to more honesty, openness, and creativity in the company, even if it can sometimes get difficult when work and private life overlap so much.

Elin: The fact that there is this atmosphere of openness among our team means that everyone is more interested in giving inputs and getting involved in all sorts of processes, even across the boundaries of their department. They are not worried about saying anything wrong. For example, a member of the sales team may come to me or Anna with an idea for a new piece of jewellery. And there is a good chance that it will actually be realised.

Noelle: Ideas are brought in, discussed, and then quickly implemented. Processes are dynamic, things move forward.

Sandra: All the relevant contact points are activated. What is needed from the marketing side? How can the project be implemented in the online shop? Or in the store, and so on. Even if the enthusiasm for an idea or a project is not always the same, everyone pulls together. No one says 'I don't feel like it, I'm out'.

Noelle: Yes, absolutely. In general, I find that everyone in the team is very motivated. I have always enjoyed coming to work. Since I became a mother, this has intensified. I have reduced my working hours. But I don't want to reduce my performance and output. It's a challenge that keeps me going. I also want to be a role model for my daughter, to show her that it is possible to be a successful professional and a present mother at the same time. That's how I was brought up.

Elin: I agree. Women in my circle of friends often tell me that it was not easy for them to return to their old jobs after having children. You may still be in the same position, but you no longer have the same role in the team because you might have reduced your working hours. At enSoie, I have never felt like I am at a disadvantage because I am a mother now. On the contrary, I was met with a lot of understanding and openness.

Sandra: This is probably because the company is run by women who are also mothers.

Elin: Absolutely. And because there is this much sympathy, you are happy to give something back to the company. As a mother, I have also developed new skills. For example, my daughter taught me to be more spontaneous and flexible. I’ve always liked clear structures and processes. A child can really mess those up. You have to organise, compromise and think outside the box to achieve a goal. These are skills that help me personally, but also at work.

Noelle: Exactly. I think that's something you could say generally. We all contribute to the team with our personal skills. To me, teamwork is like a creative puzzle. All the pieces have to be there to complete a picture. I think it's great when people from different departments come together. Different perspectives, inputs and experiences meet. For example, a new skirt is designed. The production and design team might be happy with the design, but the seamstress realises that the cut hardly allows for any customer alterations. However, if the seams were moved a little, alterations would no longer be a problem. This kind of exchange creates good, high-quality, and long-lasting products.

Sandra: I feel the same way. I couldn't do my job without dialogue and discussion. To advertise a collection, to tell a story about a single product, to inspire someone to buy something, I need as much information as possible. I need to understand the ideas behind products and collections.

Elin: Communication is also important when it comes to asking for help. Our team makes that easy. Everyone at enSoie is prepared to spontaneously take on a different role. For example, when products arrive just before the launch of a new clothing collection, everyone helps to unpack, add price tags, organise storage spaces, or do inventory for the online store.

Sandra: And in December, when the shop is very busy, we from the office sometimes jump in and help out in sales. Or you, Elin, read through my newsletter before I publish it and I help you create online products when you're under pressure, and so on.

Elin: We know we can rely on each other. That’s incredibly valuable.

Noelle: It creates a sense of community, of a team.