Expanding internationally isn’t about going everywhere – it’s about going right.
This five-session programme is designed for small design-led brands ready to take their first (or next) steps into international markets. Through a mix of lectures, guest talks, and hands-on workshops, you’ll gain the tools, clarity, and confidence to build a focused, sustainable export strategy.
Led by international business expert Nina Amjadi, alongside experienced founders and legal specialists, the programme moves from readiness and market understanding to pitching, legal frameworks, and long-term growth planning.
By the end, you won’t just feel inspired – you’ll leave with a concrete 12-month international action plan.
01.04 at 10-14 (EET): Are You Actually Ready? (International Markets & Export Fundamentals)
Understand what it really means to go international as a small brand. This session breaks down how global markets work in practice, how to assess your readiness, and how to avoid the most common early-stage mistakes.
Main topics: export readiness, market research fundamentals, product–market fit, pricing and margins, logistics and scalability, export models (agents, distributors, digital platforms), mindset and risk awareness.
Session is led by Nina Amjadi, with guest speaker Fredrik Nathorst (All Blues).
07.04 at 10-14 (EET): Who Are You Actually Talking To? (Identifying Clients, Partners & Market Opportunities)
Learn how to define your ideal market and identify the right buyers and partners. This session focuses on building clarity around who you are targeting and how to approach them strategically.
Main topics: ideal market profile (IMP), buyer types and decision criteria, market mapping on a budget, cultural differences in international business, competitor analysis, customer research and product testing.
Session is led by Nina Amjadi.
13.04 at 10-14 (EET): How Do You Tell Your Story Under Pressure? (Presenting Your Brand Internationally)
Develop a clear and compelling brand story that works in real sales situations. You will learn how to pitch your brand effectively across different formats and channels.
Main topics: pitch structure and storytelling, buyer psychology, elevator pitch frameworks, trade fair presentation, digital sales materials, approaching retailers, marketing and campaign basics.
Session is led by Nina Amjadi.
27.04 at 10-14 (EET): What Could Go Wrong? (Legal, Licensing & Export Administration)
Avoid costly mistakes by understanding the legal and operational side of international business. This session gives you the tools to protect your brand and manage export processes correctly.
Main topics: contracts and negotiation, exclusivity and risk clauses, intellectual property and trademarks, licensing models, export documentation, incoterms, customs and compliance.
Session is led by Nina Amjadi together with legal expert Klara Kjellberg.
29.04 at 10-14 (EET): What Does Your Next 12 Months Look Like? (Support Networks, Long-Term Presence & Your Action Plan)
Turn your knowledge into action by building a clear international growth plan. This final session helps you map your next steps and long-term strategy.
Main topics: international growth roadmap, AI tools for business development, funding and support opportunities, incubators and accelerators, brand scaling strategies, 12-month action planning.
Session is led by Nina Amjadi, with guest speaker Lee Cotter (Stutterheim).
Speakers:
Head Teacher of the programme is Nina Amjadi, an AI educator, speaker, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of creativity, technology, and leadership.
She is the founder of Saga Studios, an AI-powered creative studio building custom generative systems for brands. Nina is also the Program Director for the Content Engineering program at Berghs School of Communication, where she trains the next generation of creatives to work fluently with AI, not just as a tool, but as a system, collaborator, and cultural force.
With a background as a former CEO in the advertising and design industry, Nina brings a rare mix of strategic leadership, hands-on creative practice, and technical curiosity. She has taught and spoken at leading creative schools and organizations, including Berghs, Hyper Island, and Future Games, and regularly advises companies and leadership teams on creativity, growth and leadership.
Taina Malén is a seasoned executive and strategic marketer with over two decades of experience spanning entertainment, media, and digital experiences. She was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Star Stable Entertainment AB, the company behind one of the world’s fastest-growing online gaming communities tailored to girls, with millions of players across nearly 200 countries.
Before that Taina built a diverse career in global entertainment and communications. She held leadership positions in major media and music organisations including Warner Bros, Universal Pictures, BMG Music, EMI Australia, and CANAL+, where she drove marketing, brand strategy, and organisational growth through periods of rapid industry change.
Klara Kjellberg is a lawyer and strategic adviser specializing in financial regulation, compliance, and fintech. She previously served as Chief Legal Officer at Intergiro, where she led legal and regulatory strategy during the company’s European expansion.
Today, Klara runs Your Interim Ninja, providing interim legal and compliance support to scaling companies navigating complex regulatory landscapes. She works at the intersection of law, innovation, and AI, helping organizations turn compliance from a constraint into a strategic advantage.
Born in Stockholm in 1991, Fredrik Nathorst-Westfelt is the founder of the jewellery brand All Blues. The company began in 2009 in his mother’s kitchen, with neither capital nor prior experience. Together with his partner, Fredrik grew the brand into an international business present in more than 20 markets.
As a founder, he was responsible for developing and aligning the company’s strategic direction. As designer and creative director, he translated these strategies into products, packaging, retail environments, and the brand’s overall visual language. Fredrik left the company in 2023. All Blues remains in operation today.
Lee Cotter is a Swedish creative director, entrepreneur, and brand builder working at the intersection of fashion, design and art. He is currently the CEO and Creative Director of Stutterheim, where he has evolved the Stockholm-based brand to a global fashion brand while respecting its Scandinavian heritage and design philosophy.
Cotter is also the founder of the cult and award winning fashion label V Ave Shoe Repair, which gained international recognition for its experimental approach to experimental patternmaking, tailoring and contemporary fashion. Alongside his work as a designer and entrepreneur, he has worked as a creative consultant on projects across fashion and culture, including collaborations with Kanye West for Yeezy, IKEA, Stadium among others.
Through his work, Cotter explores how strong brands are built where product design, cultural context, and storytelling meet in conceptual yet commercial context.
The event is FREE, but registration is requiered!
- Registration gives access to all trainings!
All of the courses take place online! The link will be sent one day prior to the event!
This series is part of the CCC project incubation programme organised by Tallinn Business Incubator in spring, which aims to provide specialised training modules for the cultural and creative sectors focused on business development, internationalisation and the implementation of circular economy solutions.
The events are part of the Creative Circular Cities project, co-funded by the European Union’s Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021–2027. The project aims to support the transition to a circular economy at the local level by actively involving the cultural and creative sectors.