This June, we're enthusiastically celebrating three years of the exciting adventure that is Nordlys! The perfect opportunity to look back on our key moments, the challenges we've overcome, but also on our successes and future plans. Interview with Anne-Sophie, co-founder of the brand.

Key moments in our history

We are a young brand created in 2021 by three interior design and furniture enthusiasts. In a sector marked by a strong industrialization of tastes, the aim is to bring a breath of fresh air thanks to authentic pieces made from sustainable materials. "In fact, the the starting point for Nordlys was the vision shared by my co-founders and I, and our desire to change things," says Anne-Sophie.

Some key dates in our career :

• August 2021: Thanks to initial financing we were able to build up our first stocks and launch our manufacturing operations. "This is truly one of the most memorable moments of our adventure" for Anne-Sophie.
• November 2021: First sale on the site in November 2021, "the first real sign that our project is coming to life."
• August 2022: Start of collaboration with Maison du Monde, propelling our sales and enabling us to establish ourselves firmly. This milestone symbolizes recognition of our quality and commitment. According to Anne-Sophie, "The collaboration with Maisons du Monde has really boosted our sales and given us real legitimacy in the market".
• Spring 2023: Lncrease in our outdoor range, broadening our offering.
• October 2023: Start of collaboration with La Redoute, confirming our positioning in the segment.

Challenges and resilience

Like any young company, we've overcome a number of challenges along the way.

The summer of 2022 was particularly challenging due to the euro/dollar exchange rate and inventory management challenges. "The challenges of international trade are constant. We want to satisfy our customers while avoiding overproduction, which is a matter of delicate balance between ethics, customer satisfaction and logistical realities." Paradoxically, in these times of confinement and closed borders, Anne-Sophie and her team have chosen to go against the grain by embarking on the internationalization of the brand. They understood that, these days, with consumerism and the need to escape via online shop windows, this step was essential. Right from the start, furniture was exported all over Europe. 

This was also when the Nordlys concept really took shape! For, like many others, Anne-Sophie became aware of the importance of interior well-being and family harmony during the Covid period: we always feel better surrounded by furniture that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. And so, during the period of confinement, she began to shape the brand, making the famous hygge the linchpin of her concept. 

Thanks to our team's perseverance and intensive prospecting, we overcame these difficulties! The collaboration with Maison du Monde was a breath of fresh air that enabled us to realign our growth trajectory.

Towards a promising future

The future of Nordlys is full of promise. We're constantly developing our range of original, trendy furniture. What's next? The launch of a new range using bamboo as the main material. According to Anne-Sophie, "This material is not only exotic but also perfect for humid environments." Any ideas?

In addition, bamboo has many other advantages:

• Durability and strength: Hightensile strength, long service life.
• Lightweight : Fake it easy to carry and handle, while remaining robust.
• Ecological : Fast-growing, absorbs more CO2, releases more oxygen.
• Aesthetics : Natural, warm appearance, adaptable to a variety of styles.
• Water and moisture resistant: Ideal for bathrooms and outdoor furniture.
• Antibacterial : Natural hygienic properties.
• Easy maintenance Easy to clean, easy to repair scratches.

We firmly believe that the integration of this new range will enable us to reach a wider audience and meet specific needs. 

Growth that goes hand in hand with our ethical commitments

From the outset, ethics have been at the heart of our mission. We work with carefully selected manufacturers who undergo rigorous social audits to ensure exemplary working conditions. Our products are made from sustainable materials that are FSC and OEKO-TEX certified, ensuring that our customers receive products that respect the environment and their health.

Our approach to pre-sale production, aimed at avoiding overproduction, reflects our commitment to the ethical and ecological management of resources. We constantly strive to balance supply and demand, while respecting our vision of responsible production.

Conclusion

In three years, Nordlys has come an incredible distance, overcoming challenges, celebrating successes and laying the foundations for a sustainable future. As we look to the future, we remain true to our values of ethics, quality and sustainability. Thank you for being part of our adventure, and for sharing our vision of a world where individual and collective well-being is at the heart of every creation!