• Taking Your Side Hustle to a Full-time Gig
    2024/12/25
    Have you thought about taking your subscription box business from a side hustle to a full-time gig? It’s absolutely possible. I did it and so have many members of Launch Your Box. But… Before you quit your full-time job or make any major changes to your business, you need to ask - and answer - some questions. And you need to get really comfortable with your financial details, business and personal. Take your time and get real about what your goals are. Are you currently working 40/50/60 hours a week and want to work less? Do you want to make more income than you have been? The truth is, you can get there. But you’ll need to make a plan and work that plan. Start by asking yourself these four questions: What is the income you need to replace? What is the survival income you need to cover your bare bones expenses every month? What portion of that survival income can be covered by someone else (spouse, parents, roommates)? What is the initial investment you’ll need for your business (products, supplies, packaging, tech)? Understand that your business will need to be profitable before you can pay yourself. That takes time. It took me 9 months before I was able to pay myself a regular paycheck. 8 ½ years later, I pay myself a very nice salary and also pay the salaries of more than 20 employees. Join me for this episode as I take you on my journey from tiny side hustle making $200 a month to where I am now, running two multi seven-figure businesses, answering those questions, knowing my numbers, and making careful decisions every step of the way. Important Links: 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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    27 分
  • 177: Year-End Review of My Subscription Box Business
    2024/12/18
    This past year in my business was filled with wins, challenges, and hard-earned lessons. And that’s okay. Because being an entrepreneur, and especially a subscription box owner, isn’t as glamorous as the internet sometimes makes it seem. It’s more like a rollercoaster – holding on tight through the highs, the lows, and all the in-betweens. In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my business, sharing the good, the bad, and the downright frustrating moments. Why share all of this with you? You know I believe in being transparent. And I want to inspire you to take a good look at your own business, reflect on your year, and use those insights to propel you into 2025, making it your best year yet! Why Reflecting on the Past Year in Your Business Matters Looking back helps us see what worked, what didn’t, and how we can grow. As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to focus on where we fell short. I’m challenging you to shift your mindset to celebrate the progress you’ve made instead. I started my subscription box business in 2017. To date, I’ve surpassed $10 million in revenue. That’s the gain I choose to focus on, even when things don’t go as planned. And there were definitely some times this year when things didn’t go to plan. The Highs – What Worked in 2024 Recurring Revenue – My three subscriptions—The Monogram Box™, T-Shirt Club, and Tees 4 Teachers—account for 75% of my revenue. Recurring income is the foundation of my business. Successful Launch – My April launch, featuring low-cost bonuses, brought in over 400 new subscribers in just a few days. Turning Inventory into Growth – Self-liquidating offers (SLOs) helped me clear out excess inventory while attracting new customers, and turning one-time buyers into subscribers. The Lows – What Didn’t Work in 2024 A Slow Start to the Year – Taking my eye off the numbers in January led to slower months and a revenue deficit I worked all year to recover from. Campaigns that Fell Short – An "intro offer" flopped early in the year. But… Instead of giving up on the strategy, I revamped and relaunched it later with much better results. 2024 Had Its Surprises, Too Retention Challenges – My retention has always been high. Always. Like 94%+ high. Until it wasn’t. A payment failure issue in September caused my retention rate to drop to a never-before-seen 79%. This was a hard pill to swallow – and sent me for the wine and chocolate – but it taught me to stay resilient. Key Takeaways for Your Business Track Your Numbers – Every month. Don’t let busy months distract you from keeping an eye on your metrics. What happens today impacts the months ahead. Embrace Launches –Launches breathe new life into your business, giving customers a reason to subscribe or make a purchase. Experiment and Adjust – Not every campaign will succeed. But even those that don’t can teach you how to improve and grow. Focus on the Gain –Instead of dwelling on where you want to be, celebrate how far you’ve come. Progress is worth celebrating. Entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. By reflecting on your year, focusing on the gains, and staying intentional with your plans for 2025 you can set yourself up for success. Join me for this episode where I take an honest look at my subscription box business—and challenge you to reflect on 2024 in your business. Tune in and let’s dive into the lessons of the year! Resources Mentioned in This Episode: The Ed Mylett Show (Podcast) The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! 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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    25 分
  • Build an Audience with a Niche Specific Podcast
    2024/12/11
    “If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast, now is the perfect time.” - Sarah Heeter. My podcast producer, Sarah Heeter, joined me for today’s episode to talk about all things podcast. We talked about the benefits of podcasting and why starting a niche-specific podcast could be a valuable part of your audience-building strategy. Sarah knows a LOT about podcasts. After all, she helped me start this podcast and grow it to more than 200,000 downloads in 18 months and a ranking in the top 1.5% of podcasts globally. She’s also a member of Launch Your Box. If you’re wondering if podcasts can be a valuable part of an audience-building strategy for subscription box owners, the answer is yes! I mentioned I have more than 200,000 episode downloads in only 18 months. Compare that to my social media audience. It has taken me years to grow my Facebook and IG followers to a combined 20,000. And if you’re wondering if there’s room for another podcast - for your podcast - the answer is also yes. Studies show more than half of people over 12 listen to podcasts and, on average, each listens to 7 podcasts! There are several benefits to podcasts when it comes to connecting with your audience. Podcasts meet people where they are. They lend themselves to being interrupted - it’s easy to stop a podcast when needed and get right back to where you left off. Podcasts allow listeners to multitask. They listen while driving, cleaning, exercising, and more. A podcast mimics the intimacy of a phone call - you’re talking to your audience for 25-40 minutes per week. Unlike social media posts, reels, and videos, podcast episodes live forever! It can be daunting to think about what you would talk to your audience about each week. Many people worry they’ll run out of things to say. If you’re serving your niche, and know your audience well, that shouldn’t be a problem. Sarah suggests brainstorming a list of possible topics by asking yourself: What keeps my ideal customer up at night? What answers are they searching for on Google? What is their support system like? What is their value system? What are their highest priorities? Use what you learned about your ideal customer in my FREE 6 in 60 Workshop to help you get started. Join me for this episode as Sarah shares so much knowledge about why subscription box owners should consider starting a podcast, how to decide what to talk about, and why it’s very possible to DIY your podcast. Important Links: 6 in 60 Workshop Find and follow Sarah Heeter: Sarah Heeter on Instagram Sarah Heeter’s 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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    48 分
  • 176: 4 Ways to Liquidate Inventory before Year-End
    2024/12/04
    Are you sitting on extra inventory as we near the end of the year? For most of you, sales are strong right now. You're filling holiday orders and managing all that comes with this busy season. But as the end of the year draws near, it’s time to liquidate leftover stock. Why is liquidating inventory important? Liquidating inventory frees up your cash flow, opens up room on your shelves, reduces taxable assets, and prepares you for a fresh start. In this episode, I’m sharing 4 strategies to liquidate products. Don’t sit on unnecessary inventory. Liquidate it before the end of the year and avoid dragging old stock into the new year. 1 - Flash Sales Flash sales are quick, time-sensitive sales. They’re also one of the best ways to move product FAST. Create urgency, scarcity, and excitement! 2 - Bundle Older Products We’ve been talking about product bundles for all of Q4. Continue selling these through the holidays and to the end of the year – they hold a lot of value and make great gifts. 3 - Offer Mystery Boxes You and your customers will have so much fun with this one! After all, who doesn’t love a good surprise? Mystery Boxes are more than just fun; they’re also an effective way to clear inventory. 4 - Social Media Sales Events Put social media to work for you! Social media is your best friend when it comes to liquidating inventory quickly. Use it to host a sales event. Of course, you can’t just plan these events. You need to market them, too. Each event needs its own marketing campaign in order to be effective. Join me for this episode where I share 4 ways you can liquidate inventory before year-end. Let’s turn your inventory into cash and clear space for growth! Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! 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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    11 分
  • Using Mystery Boxes to Reduce Inventory Before Year End
    2024/11/27
    “Don’t bring that stale inventory into 2023!” - Sarah Williams Inventory is one of the biggest challenges product-based businesses face. Too much, not enough… and what happens if it doesn’t sell? Now, during this buying season, is the perfect time to liquidate any old or stale inventory you have sitting on your shelves. One of my favorite ways to move product and get old inventory off my shelves is by selling Mystery Boxes. They’re new, fresh, and fun for your customers and a GREAT way to reduce inventory without putting clearance tags all over everything. Whether you made a bad buy (been there), overbought for your subscription box (yep, been there, too), or you’ve just had a slower year than last year and need to move some product quickly, Mystery Boxes are a great strategy. The goal is to get your money back. Don’t focus on making a large profit or even a profit at all. Focus on getting the cash you spent on the items back in your bank account and getting space back on your shelves. The excitement of a Mystery Box is not knowing what’s inside! Mix items from past subscription boxes with items never in boxes. Make subscribers aware they might receive something they already have. These are not curated experiences like your subscription box. They are filled with items at a great value. Create different price points. Choose different size boxes, fill them up, and price them. These Mystery Boxes won’t all be the same. If you have 20 of one item and 30 of another, you can still make 50 boxes. Just make sure the items you’re putting in the boxes have a similar size and value. Get excited about these Mystery Boxes and start teasing your audience about a week before you’ll start selling them. Go LIVE, let your audience see how excited you are, and show them one of the boxes and how FULL it is! Talk about the value! Do you have inventory you need to liquidate? It’s time to let go of old product and start fresh in the new year. Join me for this episode to learn how to create your own Mystery Boxes and start liquidating! 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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    23 分
  • 175: 10 Tips for Managing Overwhelm in Q4 and Year Round
    2024/11/20
    Entrepreneurial overwhelm is part being a small business owner, especially during the 4th quarter. But that doesn’t mean feeling overwhelmed is a fact of entrepreneurial life you can’t do anything about. Overwhelm leads to two things: burnout and bad decisions. Burnout is bad for your health – physically, mentally, and emotionally. And bad decisions can cost your business a LOT of money. I have 10 practical strategies you can use to reduce overwhelm and stay focused not only during Q4, but all year long. 10 Ways to Manage Entrepreneurial Overwhelm 1 - Early Planning Start planning well in advance in order to stay ahead. Don’t have a plan for Q4 yet? Start now and plan for the rest of the year to ease last-minute pressure. Then start planning for next year. 2 - Prioritize Self-Care If you get burned out and overwhelmed, you won’t be able to give what you need to your business or your family. Prioritizing self-care doesn’t mean spending a day (or a weekend) at the spa. But when you can, do that, too! Instead, create simple, non-negotiable daily rituals like morning coffee or evening baths. Things that restore your energy and reduce the chance of burnout. 3 - Stay Hydrated and Rested Yes, these are basic needs. But… When things get busy, especially during the 4th quarter, it’s easy to neglect basic needs. Your body knows what it needs – regular hydration and quality sleep are essential for productivity and mental clarity… even during busy seasons. 4 - Dedicated Email Support Times Your inbox is a time suck. Avoid checking your emails constantly. Silence notifications and set aside specific times to handle emails. This simple switch allows you to avoid interruptions throughout your day. 5 - Dedicated Social Media Times Have you ever lost track of time because you were scrolling on social media and got sucked in? Of course you have. We all have! Set aside times for social media, especially if it's a necessary part of your business operations. 6 - Set Clear Boundaries Boundaries are necessary and healthy for everyone, including entrepreneurs. Define boundaries for yourself, your team, and your customers. This allows you to keep personal time sacred and avoid overwork. 7 - Direct, Delegate, and Prioritize for Your Team As a leader, help your team manage their tasks by giving them a clear focus each day. This allows them to manage their own overwhelm and handle whatever the day brings calmly. 8 - Batch Tasking Over Multitasking Multitasking does not lead to greater efficiency. The opposite is actually true. Instead, focus on one type of task at a time, like emails or order processing. You’ll improve efficiency and reduce errors caused by frequent task-switching. 9 - Learn to Say No No is a complete sentence. If saying yes to a request adds undo stress, it’s okay to decline. Keeping a “no mindset” opens up time for self-care and focused priorities. 10 - End-of-Day Wrap-Up Routine How you end your day has a big effect on your stress level and feelings of overwhelm. Close each day by reviewing tasks, celebrating small wins, and moving unfinished tasks to the next day. An end-of-day routine creates closure, reduces stress, and helps you sleep better! Join me for this episode where I share 10 tips for managing entrepreneurial overwhelm during the 4th quarter and beyond. Grab your notebook… ! Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! 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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    39 分
  • Sourcing Tips on Alibaba with Marissa Sayers
    2024/11/13
    “Stand tall and own your buying power.” Is this going to be the year you find new sources for products? Have you been curious about how to order products from overseas manufacturers? Are you wondering what Alibaba is and why so many subscription box owners use it to order products at great prices? If any of those sound like you, this episode is for you. Marissa Sayers joined me to take us through the process of ordering products through Alibaba. Marissa has a lot of experience sourcing products overseas and actually handles sourcing for my business. She does an incredible job because she is very detail-oriented and knows this process backward and forward. Marissa gave us a detailed outline of the steps of sourcing products directly from a manufacturer. Search Alibaba.com for products Narrow your search Further filter your search based on delivery options (find out why you should ONLY accept DDP shipping) Talk to several manufacturer representatives Order samples (they cost more than you think they should) Place order Receive shipment Realize this process takes time. Plan for 90-120 days to work through it from start to finish. In other words - Alibaba is not for panic buying! It’s important to remember that at the same time you’re vetting a manufacturer, they are vetting you. Coming to them from a place of knowledge will give you confidence. Marissa also talked about how you can work with her if you need help sourcing products. She has limited spots available to work with her and gives priority to my people. Make sure you let her know if you’re a podcast listener or member of Launch Your Box. As a subscription box owner, you order large quantities of products every month. When you decide to step into this world of overseas sourcing, stand tall and own your buying power! Join me for this episode as Marissa takes us through her process of sourcing products through Alibaba, step by step. You’ll learn what to look for, what to ask for, and what to never, ever compromise on. If you’re ready to source products from overseas, this is a can’t-miss episode. Grab a notebook and pen - you’re going to take a LOT of notes. Learn how to bypass the middlemen and wholesalers by sourcing on Alibaba! Sourcing Courses 101 & 201 - https://marissa-sayers.mykajabi.com/a/2147542513/F2huURQN Important Links: Alibaba Website Ali Express Website Find and follow Marissa: Marissa Mae Sayers on Facebook Marissa Mae Sayers on Instagram Sayers Imports 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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    37 分
  • 174: Holiday Shipping Hacks: Surviving the 4th Quarter
    2024/11/06
    It’s the 4th quarter—also known as the busiest, craziest time of the year for product-based business owners! You've planned your 4th quarter promotions and products are arriving, but have you thought about the logistics of fulfilling and shipping all those orders? In this episode, I share shipping hacks and strategies to help subscription box owners and product-based businesses navigate our busiest quarter… and stay sane doing it! Prep Packing & Shipping Supplies Early Audit your packing and shipping supplies now: tape, labels, boxes, poly mailers, filler. Order enough to get you through December. Plan for the unexpected. Establish a dedicated storage space for your extra supplies so your team knows exactly where to find what they need. Optimize Fulfillment by Prepacking, Prepping, and Batch Packing Pre-pack items that will be sold together, like holiday bundles or Black Friday specials. Reduce friction, eliminate unnecessary steps, and gain efficiency Implement batch packing by processing similar orders together for a smoother, faster workflow. Research Shipping Carrier Cut-off Dates & Have Options Research carrier cut-off dates and set your own Christmas shipping cut-offs well in advance. Overcommunicate! Post these cut-off dates visibly in your social media headers, on your website, and in emails. Stay flexible and ready to adjust by having multiple shipping options. Maintain open communication with your drivers to help manage any unexpected delays. Be Prepared for Increased Customer Service Volume Expect an increase in customer service inquiries and be transparent with customers about shipping timelines and potential delays. Have a contingency plan in place to deal with lost packages, including a policy for replacements or refunds. The holiday rush can be chaotic, but with these tips, you’ll feel more prepared than ever to tackle Q4. Have a shipping manager or team? Have them listen to this episode to boost efficiency and reduce holiday chaos in your shop! Join me for this episode where I share fulfillment & shipping strategies to help subscription box owners and product-based businesses navigate the busiest, craziest time of year - the 4th quarter. Grab your coffee (or something stronger!) and let’s dive in! Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! 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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    25 分