About Us

Why I started Quartermaster California

My career began in high fashion, an industry where precision, speed, and quality matter every single day. But what I noticed — time and again — was how hard it was for growing businesses to get the dependable, on-the-ground support they needed to expand into new markets. I’ve always believed that smaller companies, with big ambitions, deserve the same caliber of strategic help as the giants.

That belief is what led me to start Quartermaster California. With decades of hands-on experience across industries like fashion, food, mobility, and consumer goods, I built this company to be the trusted partner I wish I’d had — a partner who helps you break into California confidently, while you stay focused on running your business back in Europe. We’re here to help you do just that.

— Huib Stad, Founder & CEO, Quartermaster California

Get in touch
Meet our team

The core QM Team

Our team is comprised of dedicated professionals with diverse expertise.

Samantha Knock

California
Marketing and Communications

A San Diego local, Samantha provides full-service marketing strategy and execution, working with budgets both large and small for scalable, reliable growth.

Huib Stad

California
CEO/founder

A longtime Amsterdam resident, Huib has decades of experience in import/export. It is his passion to help Dutch businesses thrive from his new home base in San Diego.

Our Advisory Board

Our team is comprised of dedicated professionals with diverse expertise.

We will add team members soon!

We're hiring!

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Open positions

Navigating California’s opportunities from San Diego

California’s economy is larger than France’s and home to nearly 40 million potential customers — a market full of opportunity for businesses ready to expand. Based in San Diego, our mission is simple: help Dutch companies establish a strong foothold and tap into the power of California’s €3.5 trillion economy with clarity, confidence, and the right support at every step.

Location. Location. Location.

With over 3.4 million residents, SanDiego is California’s second-largest city — and its most strategic. Perfectly positioned between Los Angeles and the U.S.–Mexico border, it’s a launchpad to all of Southern California and beyond.

Direct ties to Mexican manufacturers and Pacific trade routes give your business seamless access to cross border and global markets.

San Diego Skyline

America’s Finest City

The name still fits. San Diego draws top talent, bold entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking businesses who want more — a better quality of life and lower costs than San Francisco or L.A.

With world-class universities, deep talent pools, and a thriving innovation scene, it’s the ideal place to build your business and your lifestyle.

Bonus: you’ll love living here, too.

Global Conference Capital

San Diego’s Convention Center is one of North America’s premier venues for international trade shows and industry events — from biotech and clean energy to sports and tech.

Set on the waterfront and minutes from the airport, it’s where global connections come straight to your doorstep.

Why chase markets abroad when the world comes to you?

California Is Calling

Partner with Quartermaster California to capture your share of the U.S. market — faster.