US MARKET ENTRY & Operations for COnsumer Brands

Welinder

Tailored strategies and hands-on execution for brands expanding into the US.
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“Per has been an integral part of Sezzle's success to date, serving as advisor, investor, and brand champion. From providing marketing advice to making key introductions to candidates and customers, Per has always gone above and beyond when we needed help. And more importantly, he's a great person. He's always been true to his word and follows through without fail.”

Paul Paradis - President and co-founder Sezzle NASDAQ: SEZL

“Birdhouse would have gone out of business in the second or third year if it weren’t for Per’s business savvy. Birdhouse just celebrated its 25th year as a skateboard brand, and we couldn’t have done it without Per’s hard work.”
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Tony Hawk - Professional Skateboarder, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

“Per has been a partner with Zumiez all through my 25 years with the Company and has been one of the few people I have known in our industry who has successfully built multiple brands. He is a serial brand builder. When Zumiez has such a long relationship with an individual, it also reflects that we share a core set of values that build trust and respect. I like to think that Per’s values and his success as a lifestyle brand builder are closely correlated.”

Rick Brooks - CEO Zumiez NASDAQ: ZUMZ

About

Per Welinder

Per Welinder co-founded Birdhouse Skateboards, one of the most influential skate brands in the world, together with Tony Hawk.

Per and Tony helped transform skateboarding from a toy into a global lifestyle – turning culture into commerce and creating a 10x impact on brands, products, and partnerships.

Over the past 30 years, Per has co-founded, operated, and exited eight companies across skateboard, apparel, and footwear.

In 2019, he co-founded Welinder Shi Capital, a China–US cross-border venture fund with partner Curt Shi, backing high-growth consumer and tech companies – including one IPO and a unicorn outcome.

Today, Per works with European and global brands who want to enter – or re-enter – the US market with the right strategy, the right partners, and realistic expectations for long-term success.

Value

Services

Swedish Brands
Sales and Distribution Expertise
Three decades of experience building and scaling consumer brands in the highly competitive US market, from specialty retail to mass distribution.

Swedish Roots, US Track Record
Deep understanding of Swedish business culture combined with lived experience of what it takes to win with American consumers.

Recognized Results
Proven case studies, exits, and industry recognition across skateboard, apparel, footwear, and consumer brands.
C-Suite Support
Sales & Marketing Leadership
Support for founders and C-suite teams on product roadmaps, channel strategy, and revenue-driving sales plans.

Capital & Growth Needs
Clarify capital requirements and tap into a network of investors and funding sources aligned with your stage and ambitions.

Execution Team & Partnership
Assemble and manage a trusted network of mission-critical partners – from distribution and logistics to retail, media, and talent.

Operational Support
Boots-on-the-ground help with US supply chain, logistics, and local operations setup..

Ongoing Advisory
Continuity of support as your US business grows, adapts, and faces new challenges.
Market Entry
and Expansion
Market Research & Insights
Sharp, on-the-ground intelligence to understand your category, competitors, and realistic paths to scale in the US..

Brand Positioning & Development
Shape a brand story and visual presence that resonates with US consumers while respecting your origins.

Go-to-Market & Launch:
End-to-end planning and execution for a successful market launch – from first doors and partners to national rollout.
Affiliates
Event and Venue Management
Great. Grand. Wonderful. Full-service event and venue capabilities for launches, activations, and live brand moments. Visit Website

Podcast Studios and Productions
Visible Audio Studios: concept, production, and distribution for brand-driven podcasts and audio storytelling. Visit Website

F1 Las Vegas Event:
Velocity Events: high-impact, F1-adjacent experiences in Las Vegas for partners seeking premium hospitality and content. Visit Website

Book A discovery meeting?

Contact

hello@welinder.co
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