THANK YOU... Watery Wins "Enterprise of the Year" - Named Denmark's 5th Best New E-commerce Company!
"This is an indescribable highlight of my life - all thanks to you. I owe everything and, in return, will continue to provide you with the most comprehensive shopping experience, the most competent swimming advice, and, above all, the largest selection at great prices."
These words come directly from me, Daniel Johannesen - the proud founder and owner of Watery.dk.
A little over a week ago, the almost unthinkable happened: Watery.dk was awarded the title of "Rookie of the Year 2018" at the grand ceremony "E-commerce Award" in Øksnehallen, hosted by the FDIH - Association for Danish Internet Trade.
It's still a bit surreal for me to write this.. and I felt the same when I received the award..
Photographer: Jeppe Veljø
Even though my ambitions were, to say the least, gigantic when I launched Watery.dk back in October 2016, just over 1.5 years ago, I never in my wildest dreams imagined that Watery would quickly become an accepted and serious player among the top in e-commerce and that 8,700 customers would already have shopped with us.
For this, I owe each of you customers a deep, heartfelt thanks. Every new order from you fills me with joy, and I hope you’ve felt that gratitude.
And because it was also 800 of the top people in e-commerce, including directors from massive webshops like nemlig.com, bilka.dk, sinful.dk, barberklingen.dk, and Danfoss, who each had to vote among the six nominated companies for the award, and who ultimately chose Watery as the winner, it's quite amazing to think about.
But I also believe this proves that you can go far by doing many things differently and better compared to the existing, major players in the market - paired with a strong will to succeed. At Watery, we are committed to ensuring every single customer has an extraordinary shopping experience, whether through our order and delivery emails, our day-to-day delivery, our support from 08-22, 365 days a year, price match guarantee, personalized and fun communication, or proficient, down-to-earth help with our many swimming products.
In essence, I am certain it's partly because of these elements that so many have chosen Watery.dk—and that 40% of them return to shop with Watery within the next year.
I also think it’s these factors that led Watery to be nominated, and to secure a spot as the fifth best in the "Best New E-commerce Business" award. I’m almost as proud of this nomination as I am for "Rookie of the Year," as this recognition is largely for Watery's growth, our unique approach to conducting e-commerce, and the opportunities we have to become an international player in swimming.
But our ambitions don’t stop with this award. No, as I stated on stage at the E-commerce Awards, the goal is for Watery to become Scandinavia’s largest swimming shop - by 2023 at the latest.
For Watery to achieve this, here's what will happen in the coming months and years:
1. A complete redesign of Watery.dk (get a sneak peek below)
Yes, you're right. It was supposed to be launched 1.5 weeks ago, but as the perfectionist I am, I didn’t want to launch anything half-baked. So, it's coming very soon (I dare not set another date just yet).
2. Launch of Watery.se in early 2019
This will likely be our first expansion outside Denmark, and it’s going to be exciting!
3. I’m (finally) going full-time with Watery after completing my studies
Yes, I’ll now be able to answer the phone in the mornings too (apologies to all who have called in vain..)
I sincerely hope you customers will join us on this journey. Once again, a deep and heartfelt THANK YOU for helping make my dream come true.
Below, I have compiled a video capturing the atmosphere from the award ceremony (Watery appears around 1:15), along with a couple of other images (taken by Jeppe Veljø) from the big night.
