Épisodes

  • 227: What’s the Best Way to Source Products for Your Subscription Box?

    227: What’s the Best Way to Source Products for Your Subscription Box?
    Oct 24 2025
    One of the biggest questions subscription box owners ask is: Where do I find products for my box? There’s no single “right” answer because the best sourcing strategy depends on where you are in your business journey. In this quick Friday Fuel episode of The Launch Your Box Podcast, I’m breaking down three key sourcing methods - wholesale, trade shows, and manufacturing - and showing you how each one fits a different stage of subscription box growth. Stage 1: Just Getting Started. Start with Wholesale If you’re still prepping for launch or working toward your first 50–100 subscribers, wholesale is your best friend. It’s flexible, affordable, and helps you learn what your audience loves without over-committing. Why it works: Low minimums let you order small quantities. Fast turnaround means you can ship quickly. It’s the easiest way to test different product types. Challenges with wholesale: Smaller profit margins. Less exclusivity. Limited branding options Stage 2: You’ve Launched. Trade Shows & Curated Finds Once you’ve launched and built momentum, it’s time to elevate your box. Trade shows and curated wholesale marketplaces help you discover unique, small-batch, and boutique items that give your box that “wow” factor. Why it works: You’ll find more distinctive products. Meeting vendors face-to-face often leads to better pricing or exclusivity. You can start building your signature brand style. Challenges with trade shows and curated marketplaces: Travel costs and larger order requirements. Longer lead times mean planning boxes further ahead. Stage 3: Ready to Scale. Manufacturing When your subscription is stable and you’re ready to increase margins or stand out even more, manufacturing can be a game-changer. But there are two levels to consider: Option 1: Stock Product from Manufacturers Buy from manufacturer catalogs and add your own branding or packaging. This is a great bridge between wholesale and full custom. Pros: better margins, faster turnaround, and the ability to add your own brand touches. Cons: limited product selection and minimal exclusivity. Option 2: Full Custom Manufacturing Design your own products from scratch for total control and differentiation. Pros: complete customization, higher perceived value, stronger brand identity. Cons: higher minimums, longer timelines, and bigger upfront costs. Sourcing Is a Journey, Not a Jump You’ll probably use all of these sourcing methods at some point: Start with wholesale. Grow into trade shows. Add manufacturer stock for better margins. Move to custom products when you’re ready. Take Action Identify your current sourcing stage and make one move this week that aligns with it: New? Order your first wholesale products. Growing? Research an upcoming trade show or apply for a wholesale marketplace account. Scaling? Reach out to a manufacturer and ask about their minimums. Every step forward brings you closer to the box and the brand you’re meant to build. Join me for this episode, where I’ll help you figure out which sourcing strategy fits your stage of business and how to take the next step with confidence. Join me in all the places: Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!
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    16 min
  • 226: The Secret to Growth? Building Community First with Ashley Alderson

    226: The Secret to Growth? Building Community First with Ashley Alderson
    Oct 22 2025
    I’ve been part of The Boutique Hub for more than five years, and I was so excited to welcome its founder, Ashley Alderson, to the Launch Your Box Podcast. Ashley started The Boutique Hub in 2013 to give small business owners a place to connect, learn, and grow together. Today, the Hub supports more than 100,000 small businesses. What Loyalty Really Looks Like When I asked Ashley what customer loyalty actually looks like, she didn’t hesitate. It’s all about building community. People want to buy from people. The more your customers feel connected to you and your brand, the more loyal they become. Ashley shared her team’s approach to content creation, something she calls the VAVA Method. Viral: Is it relatable enough that someone would click, like, share, or comment? Authentic: Does it sound like a real person said it? Value: Does it help your audience by saving them time, solving a problem, or making their day better? Aspirational: Does it make them feel like they’re becoming a better version of themselves? When you’re running a product-based business, you can’t just sell all the time. Ashley says that at any given moment, about 90% of your audience isn’t ready to buy, so you need to nurture them with community-building content. Ashley suggests ratio of two-thirds soft-sell, one-third direct-sell. Sales Is a Noble Process Ashley reminded us that selling is about serving. When you connect with your audience, help them solve problems, and make their lives a little better, that’s a noble thing. As subscription box owners, we have to be attached to that outcome for our subscribers. We start by building community, then we serve that community, and then we sell to that community. That’s servant leadership in action. How to Build Loyalty That Lasts Ashley shared that true loyalty comes from creating an emotional reaction. Everything, from your community and marketing to post-purchase experiences, should make your customers feel something. Your subscribers should always believe the value of your box is greater than its price. As Ashley likes to say, “Cheap ain’t loyal.” Be the face of your brand. Let people see you. Because at the end of the day, people want to buy from people. The Six Layers of a Sustainable Business Ashley broke down the six layers every business needs to build a strong foundation: Operations and Brand Profits and Profitability Team Sales Strategy Content Strategy Social Media Each layer works together to create a business that’s stable, scalable, and ready for long-term success. The Future of Small Business Ashley sees a shift happening, away from isolation and scrolling, and back toward real human connection. People are craving community, conversation, and relationships again. And that’s great news for subscription box owners, because community is what we do best. Take Action Spend time this week building connection with your audience. Share something that’s relatable, real, and valuable - something that reminds your followers there’s a person behind your brand. Join me for this episode with Ashley Alderson of The Boutique Hub to learn how to build loyalty through community and content that connects. Where to find Ashley: The Boutique Hub on Facebook The Boutique Hub on Instagram The Boutique Hub Website Join me in all the places: Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!
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    29 min
  • 225: The Tech Tools You Actually Need to Launch Your Box

    225: The Tech Tools You Actually Need to Launch Your Box
    Oct 17 2025
    Launching your subscription box shouldn’t require a tech degree or a six-figure software stack. Yet too many new subscription box owners spend weeks stressing about tools. Or worse, skip setup until launch week. Let’s fix that. In this quick Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I’m walking you through the exact tech tools you actually need to launch your subscription box. Nothing fancy, nothing extra, just what works from Day 1. The 4 Core Tools Every Subscription Box Business Needs Before you launch your subscription box, you need four core systems in place: Website Platform – Shopify or WooCommerce Payment Processor – PayWhirl or Stripe Shipping Software – Shopify Shipping or ShipStation Email Marketing CRM – Klaviyo Hire Out the Tech or DIY? If setting up checkout flows and automations makes your eyes glaze over, you’re not alone. You don’t get bonus points for doing it all yourself. You can hire someone for a few hundred dollars to get your tech stack up and running, or take it step-by-step yourself. The key is that everything works before you go live. Test Like a Customer Testing your tech isn’t optional. Walk through your own site like it’s your first visit: Can you place a test order from start to finish? Do your emails send automatically? Are your shipping options correct? Do recurring payments process properly? Do your confirmation emails look professional? Click every link. Test every flow. You’ve worked hard to get people to your site, don’t lose them because of a broken button or missing email. A Bonus Tool for Staying Organized Is your desk covered in sticky notes? It’s time for a free project-management tool like Trello, Asana, or ClickUp. Use it to organize launch tasks, email prep, or even box curation. Each has a free version and will save you serious stress. Take Action Carve out an hour to audit your tech stack. Set up your storefront, payment processor, and email CRM. Run a full test order from start to finish. Make sure every piece, from opt-in to order confirmation, works flawlessly. You don’t need the fanciest tools. You just need tools that work. Keep it simple, get it tested, and be ready when subscribers start clicking “buy.” Join me for this quick, practical episode and walk away with a clear, budget-friendly tech plan that’s ready for launch day. Join me in all the places: Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!
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    16 min
  • Give Q4 a Boost by Staying Focused on Revenue Generating Activities

    Give Q4 a Boost by Staying Focused on Revenue Generating Activities
    Oct 15 2025
    Ready or not, the 4th quarter is here. It’s time to sell! The 4th quarter is crucial for any small business. It can make or break your year and generate the momentum you need going into the next year. The 4th quarter matters. I’ve been through nine 4th quarters in my business and I’ve learned a LOT along the way. In this episode, we’re talking about four areas you need to focus on during this important time of the year in order to maximize your revenue before year-end. Building Your Q4 Sales Strategy Inventory Have it Manage it Create demand for it Holiday Promotions Gift Guides Marketing & Advertising Email Marketing - the money is in your list! A consistent plan is crucial. Segment your list and send targeted emails. Have abandoned cart flows and browse abandonment flows set up! Social Media Schedule - consistency is king! Paid Ads - target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors. Prepping for Peak Sales Days Customer Service Make this a priority! Schedule time for it! You’ll have a lot of first-time customers - make their experience a good one! Social Media Response Time Answer questions & respond to comments promptly. Clearly Communicate Urgency & Deadlines Banners on home page Flash sales Promotional codes Free shipping thresholds Christmas shipping deadlines Managing Logistics & Fulfillment Clearly outline shipping and processing timelines. Make sure you have enough staff to handle the influx of orders. Hire temporary staff for the holidays. Have current staff work extended days/hours. Conduct a supply inventory NOW! Bags Boxes Tape Shipping labels Etc. Holiday Packaging How will you uplevel your customers’ experience this season? That sounds like a lot of extra work to do, doesn’t it? And it is. But it is all SO important. So it’s time to ask yourself, “What can I eliminate from my day-to-day so I can focus on these revenue-generating activities?” Now is not the time to start a blog or podcast. It’s not time to create a new ebook or opt-in. It’s not time to build a new website or plan for 2024. Now is the time to focus on SALES and the activities that generate those sales. The 4th quarter is here! Join me for this episode as I walk you through 4 areas of focus you need to jump into right now to make the most of your 4th quarter. Join me in all the places: ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Launch Your Box with Sarah Website⁠ Are you ready for ⁠Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠Join ⁠today!
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    23 min
  • Worried No One Will Subscribe? Listen to This First

    Worried No One Will Subscribe? Listen to This First
    Oct 10 2025
    Are you worried you’ll launch your subscription box and no one will subscribe? You’re not alone. This fear shows up for nearly every subscription box owner at some point, especially in the early days. In this Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I’m sharing a mindset shift and some simple, strategic steps to help you move forward with clarity. Even if you’re starting from zero. If fear or self-doubt has you feeling stuck, this is the pep talk you need. Instead of worrying about launch day numbers: 1 - Know that this fear is normal. The fear of “no subscribers” doesn’t mean you’re not cut out to be a subscription box owner. It means you care. Acknowledge the fear, but don’t let it call the shots. 2 - Don’t obsess over your launch date. Setting a date can be helpful, but it’s not the most important thing. Focus on taking action and building momentum before the cart opens. 3 - Start building your waitlist now. Your waitlist is your best launch asset. It gives you an audience of warm leads who are interested, engaged, and ready to buy when the time comes. 4 - Understand that clarity comes from action. You don’t need all the answers to get started. Just take the next right step. Then the next. That’s how you build both confidence and progress. Your Friday Fuel Challenge You’re not behind. You’re just getting started. The best way to start? Take one small action this week to build your waitlist. Post a teaser, create a freebie, and talk about your box. Progress beats perfection. Every single time. Join me in all the places: ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Launch Your Box with Sarah Website⁠ Are you ready for ⁠Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠Join the waitlist ⁠today!
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    9 min
  • Pros & Cons of a Quarterly Subscription Box

    Pros & Cons of a Quarterly Subscription Box
    Oct 8 2025
    “Is it better to have a monthly or quarterly subscription box?” This question comes up a lot inside Launch Your Box and on the How to Start a Subscription Box public Facebook page. The truth is, there is no one answer to this question. No right or wrong when it comes to choosing a monthly or quarterly box. There’s only the answer that’s right for you. Your answer to whether a monthly or quarterly box is right for you and your business depends on your goals for your business and what is most important to you as a business owner. Each model has its benefits and its drawbacks. It’s important to understand both before making a decision about the frequency of your subscription box. The pros and cons of a quarterly subscription box: 1. Revenue Con - a quarterly subscription model can cause financial strain during the “off” months. Pro - you can typically charge more for a quarterly box, allowing for greater profit and more revenue. 2. Curation/Products Pro - you only have to curate a box four times a year! Pro - your subscriber only gets four boxes a year to consume. This can lead to greater subscriber satisfaction and less churn. 3 3. Frequency/Recency Con - lack of engagement. The time between each box can cause a sense of disengagement for subscribers. They’re not getting the constant reminders of something new coming like they do with monthly boxes. Con - not having enough content. It can be very challenging to stretch out the content from one box to last for three months until the next box comes out. Content can get stale. 4. Time Pro - the monthly grind of curation/fulfillment/customer service is a full-time commitment. A quarterly box allows you the space and freedom to do other things. Top cons of a quarterly subscription box: No monthly recurring revenue. Lack of engagement in your community. Lack of content to market and promote your box and brand consistently. Top pros of a quarterly subscription box: Ability to charge more for a quarterly box, increasing the amount of revenue per box. Only have to curate four boxes a year instead of 12. Subscribers are less likely to cancel due to inability to consume the box. You get a break from the curation/fulfillment/customer service cycle. We’ve talked about monthly and quarterly boxes and the pros and cons of each. But, there is one other option and it seems to be gaining in popularity: bi-monthly subscription boxes. Bi-monthly boxes are curated and fulfilled every other month. Some subscription box owners and subscribers find this to be just the right balance between a monthly box and a quarterly box. Join me for this episode as I talk about why there’s not an easy answer to the question, “Is it better to have a monthly or quarterly subscription box?” and walk you through the pros and cons of each. Join me in all the places: ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Launch Your Box with Sarah Website⁠ Are you ready for ⁠Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠Join ⁠today!
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    15 min
  • 224: 5 Monthly Reset Habits for Subscription Box Owners

    224: 5 Monthly Reset Habits for Subscription Box Owners
    Oct 3 2025
    Running a subscription box business can feel like a whirlwind. One month you’re celebrating new subscribers, and the next you’re carrying over tasks you didn’t finish and the stress that causes. That’s why a monthly reset is so powerful. It clears the clutter, refocuses your energy, and helps you move forward with intention. In this week’s Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I’m sharing five reset habits I use every month in my own business that will help you keep growing without the burnout. 1. Review Your Numbers Your numbers tell the story of your business. Take 30 minutes each month to check new subscribers, churn, revenue, and follower & list growth. Don’t overcomplicate it. Track these numbers in a simple spreadsheet and look for patterns that point the way forward. 2. Clear the “Rocks in Your Backpack” Unfinished tasks weigh you down. At the start of the month, make a list of what’s still hanging over you. Then delete what no longer matters, delegate what you can, and finish the ones that truly move the needle. 3. Set One or Two Goals Stop chasing everything. Choose one or two goals that actually grow your business this month, like growing your waitlist, setting up an ad campaign, or batching social content. Four weeks. One focus. Big progress. 4. Create a Roadmap Once you know your goals, map them out in 3–5 action steps. Keep it visible — in your planner, on a whiteboard, or even on your phone wallpaper — to stay focused all month long. 5. Build in Weekly Accountability Check in with yourself every week. Ask: What’s my goal? What step am I on? Where am I stuck? Staying accountable keeps you from realizing at the end of the month that you’ve drifted off track. Your Friday Fuel Challenge Set aside one hour this weekend or Monday morning to walk through these five reset habits. Your future self — and your subscribers — will thank you. Join me for this episode of Friday Fuel and discover the 5 reset habits that will keep your subscription box growing strong every month. Join me in all the places: Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!
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    14 min
  • 10 Truth Bombs to Understand About Your Subscription Box Business

    10 Truth Bombs to Understand About Your Subscription Box Business
    Oct 1 2025
    Have you been struggling with your business this year? Maybe you’re not reaching your revenue goals or you haven’t launched that new idea, product, or subscription box yet. Many times, our businesses need one little tweak - a change in process, strategy, or just mindset - to change everything. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 truth bombs that will have you looking at your business differently. Take the time to sit with and think about each of these to see how they might apply to you and your business. 20% of your customer base generates 80% of your revenue! Protect your peace and energy at all costs. Fad marketing strategies are like fad diets. They will not last. Companies that have heavily relied on paid traffic only will shift to more organic traffic. Systems and processes will serve you. Revenue does not mean profit. Cheap is not creating value. It’s more profitable to retain your subscribers than to constantly acquire new ones. What gets you started may not get you to scale. If you don’t challenge yourself, you won’t change yourself. We focused all of the training this year inside Launch Your Box on these 10 things. I’m here to help you understand these 10 things and make progress with each of them. Remember, you are on a subscription box journey. This journey never ends. It’s always a work in progress. Just keep making progress! Join me in all the places: ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Launch Your Box with Sarah Website⁠ Are you ready for ⁠Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠Join ⁠today!
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    27 min