WellRead x tendlyn

Reading has always been a therapeutic way to spend one’s own free time for many. It stimulates the brain with new information and a busy imagination, as well as providing a great source of entertainment. For a lot of people with busy day-to-day routines and lifestyles, thinking about what to read next when it’s time to slow down on the weekends can be a challenge, but if you’re in Australia and looking for an answer to such a dilemma, WellRead has got you!

WellRead is a curated book subscription and gifting service based in Austinmer, New South Wales, and delivers all across the Australian continent. One of the many great things about WellRead—other than specializing in sending out thoughtfully selected new releases per month—is that their book curations do not only cater to adults but also to kids, which helps spark their passion for reading at such a young age.

Ruby Bisson, the new owner of WellRead

Just late last year, WellRead was acquired by long-time supporter, Ruby Bisson, and we chatted with her about all things books, their sustainable packaging essential for every delivery, and why tendlyn was the perfect packaging fit for WellRead. Read all about it and more only here!

Tell us a bit about your brand!

WellRead is an Australian-based literary book subscription that cherry-picks the best new titles and delivers them to your door. Our diverse curatorship is geared towards stimulating the reading lives of our subscribers one quality book at a time. We have a subscription for children too. Bright-eyed youngsters aged 0-6 can expect a colorful children’s book to delight their senses.

I recently acquired WellRead from former owner and Founder Laura Brading. I was a big fan and frequent customer so I slid into WellRead’s DMs in early 2023 asking if they’d consider passing the baton. I never expected they’d say yes!

Ruby Bisson (left) and Laura Brading (right)

One of my favorite parts of WellRead is reading mountains of new-release literary titles, and elevating the perspectives of those who don’t often get a platform. I also love it when we select a debut title. For an author, guaranteeing over 500+ sales in one hit is a huge win. I love being able to play a small part in that.

Tell us about the design for your packaging and how you’re using them?

Every detail in the WellRead experience is considered. One of our core values as a business is ‘surprise and delight’, which is why customers don’t know what book they’re receiving until it arrives on their doorstep.

Part of the tangible experience of opening up a parcel and unwrapping goodies comes with the aesthetic of a brown paper back, sealed with a round tendlyn sticker in our brand color yellow. Peeling back that sticker and sliding the book out is just, chef’s kiss.

What made tendlyn a good fit for your packaging?

There is a clear values alignment, which is really important for WellRead. We will always select the environmentally-friendly option, and there aren’t many in this industry that do so in that real, deep-values kind of way.

tendlyn Custom Stickers, designed by @wellread__

Also, as communications professionals at our core, we love investing in brands that have spent thought and time pitching their brand in an engaging and beautiful way. If a packaging company can’t sell the possibilities with their packaging, I don’t wanna hear about it! I think they’ve nailed it.