Almost three years ago, I wrote a blog post about "my good helpers" in the startup phase of Fjording. There, I mentioned my friend Ole Tom, and described him as an important birth helper for the Fjording concept.
He was a natural person to ask for advice.
A guy I knew wouldn’t frown when I presented my crazy plans (as many others did). He was familiar with my dreamy, visionary nature.
I knew he was the right person to refine my idea. To sharpen it. And I knew he could turn my thinking into something concrete and visual.
Ole Tom’s effort
We had worked together in a communications agency before, and had carved out many concepts together. By playing and by challenging each other. Me as a project manager and copywriter, he as a designer and frontend developer.
And fortunately, he wanted to help me. When I needed it the most. When I stood on the "cliff" and wanted to quit my safe office job, in favor of "The Dream of Nordic Cream":
Making the first Norwegian-produced cream liqueur of all time. Picking up the fight against the Irish giant, and create a cream liqueur that tasted better than their 45-year-old recipe.
Ole Tom designed bottle drafts. Claimed that Fjording was the ideal brand name. Made me dare to take the step. Becoming a cream liqueur entrepreneur, without having the background or experience for doing just that.
Proof of great work
Last week, we received proof that Ole Tom’s job as a designer and concept developer not only has been a generous friend service, but a top professional work:
Fjording is one out of four finalists in the "Best Alcohol Drink"-category in the World Beverage Innovation Awards!
At the BreuBeviale-fair in Nuremberg on November 13th, the final result will be revealed.
Have Fjording been so innovative and creative that the industry experts will send the award towards Norway?
A solid team
Fjording would never have wings to fly without Ole Tom.
And I don’t believe Fjording would’ve been equally well received if a professional agency had done the design- and concept job.
Because nobody understands the entrepreneur equally well. Nobody asks the stupid, smart, well-intentioned and critical questions in the same constructive way as Ole Tom.
- Skål, kompis!
I’m so grateful of your effort, Ole Tom, and so honored to call you my friend.
Looking forward to new adventures in the future!