The Sourcing Gals

If your factory just came back with higher pricing… you’re not alone. In this episode, Erin and Jackie break down why product costs go up — and why they almost never come back down. From raw material spikes and global events to inflation, labor increases, and supply chain shifts, they explain what’s actually driving these changes (and why it’s not personal). More importantly, they walk through wha...

Have you ever placed your first bulk order and wondered if you were doing it right? In this episode, Erin and Jackie break down what it really means to “nail” your first production run — and why it’s not about going big, moving fast, or maximizing profit right out of the gate. Instead, your first bulk order should be treated as a test-and-learn phase — one that validates your product, your factory...

What started as a podcast has turned into something much bigger. In this episode, Erin and Jackie pull back the curtain on how The Sourcing Gals evolved from education to a full-service product development agency — and the unexpected pivots that got them there. Over the past year, they’ve tested, tinkered, and refined their business model in real time — from launching digital courses, to consultin...

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately thought, I don’t belong here ? In this episode, Erin and Jackie explore the idea that the rooms you choose to enter can shape your business, confidence, and future more than almost anything else. They break down the three types of rooms that can change your trajectory : the Learning Room , the Collaboration Room , and the Courage Room . Each one pla...

Most founders default to email for efficiency—and it works for day-to-day operations. But written communication keeps relationships transactional, while voice builds the trust and rapport that gets you through challenges and unlocks better terms. This episode breaks down exactly when to pick up the phone with your manufacturer, how to use calls strategically (not constantly), and what you can achi...

Most product founders assume they need to build a full brand around their idea—Instagram handle, website, inventory management, the works. But if you've developed patented technology or a proprietary component, there's another path: licensing your IP to established brands with existing distribution channels. This approach lets you leverage your invention without the overhead of building a...

Most founders fight over nickels at 500 units—but that aggressive negotiation could cost them thousands when they land their first wholesale account. The truth is, factories are investing in you at low MOQs, absorbing sample fees and setup costs with the hope you'll scale. Push too hard too early, and you'll burn your trump card when you actually need it. This episode breaks down exactly w...

Most product-based founders read business books but don't apply them strategically. Erin and Jackie share how specific books transformed their manufacturing approach, client relationships, and daily operations—from hiring offshore help for the cost of a Starbucks to structuring businesses for scale. These aren't theoretical concepts; they're frameworks both founders actively use to avo...

Most founders agonize over their brand name for months—but they're asking the wrong questions. The real issue isn't finding a "perfect" name; it's understanding the difference between naming a hero product versus a brand with multiple SKUs, and knowing which barriers (domains, handles, trademarks) actually matter. Jackie and Erin break down the exact framework they used to na...

"Buying every SKU at the same MOQ—that's not your strategy. That's a vendor constraint." [03:57] Most product founders think hitting MOQ on every item is the safest path. But Mary Wiegand, who spent 10+ years managing inventory at Target, Tiffany & Co., and Victoria's Secret, reveals why this approach creates lumpy inventory and cash flow problems. In this episode, she br...

In this episode, Erin and Jackie break down one of the most overlooked reasons products go wrong in manufacturing: communication . Drawing from decades of hands-on sourcing experience, they explain why most factory issues aren’t production failures — they’re messaging failures — and how founders can dramatically improve outcomes by communicating with clarity, structure, and intention. You’ll learn...

What really happens behind the scenes at a global sourcing trade show — and how can product founders use it to their advantage? In this episode, Erin and Jackie sit down with Pinar Van de Vegt , Head of Sales & Events for Informa Markets , to pull back the curtain on SOURCING by Informa . With over 20 years of experience producing large-scale sourcing and manufacturing events, Pinar shares how...

Many founders struggle with choosing between overseas and nearshore manufacturing without understanding the real tradeoffs. The "made in USA" appeal often leads entrepreneurs to make costly decisions based on emotion rather than economics. Nearshoring offers strategic advantages that go beyond patriotism—from lower minimums to better intellectual property protection—but these benefits co...

Quality issues can devastate even the most carefully planned product launches, costing founders thousands in remakes, shipping expedites, and lost sales. What most first-time entrepreneurs don't realize is that production problems aren't just about bad factories—they're about missing critical checkpoints that professional brands build into every production cycle. The difference between...

In this special year-end episode of The Sourcing Gals, we reflect on what this past year has truly been about—building our business, shedding old identities, and discovering the power of community for product-based founders. We share behind-the-scenes stories from our first full year of podcasting, the transition from corporate careers into entrepreneurship, and how listening to our audience helpe...

In this special Q&A episode, Erin and Jackie tackle the most common (and most confusing) questions from product founders—like what to send factories, how to evaluate quotes, and when a product is truly ready for production. Get straight answers and insider tips every maker needs to hear.

In this episode of The Sourcing Gals , Erin and Jackie sit down with Amanda Rango , founder of ARD Fashion Consulting , to talk about what it really takes to build a fashion brand that’s thoughtful, strategic, and built to last. Amanda brings a rare blend of creative direction and operational clarity to the fashion industry, helping founders move from idea to execution with intention. Together, we...

Free shipping can be a customer magnet—or a margin killer. In this episode, Erin and Jackie unpack when offering free shipping makes sense, how to build it into your pricing, and why Amazon’s model doesn’t work for every brand. Learn smart strategies for protecting profits while keeping customers happy.

Packaging isn’t just a pretty box—it’s part of the product experience. But when you’re developing something new, should packaging come first or after the product is finalized? In this episode, we break down how packaging fits into the development timeline, what to prioritize early, and how to avoid costly missteps. Enjoy 10% off Accio.com with code THESOURCINGGALS

This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes of our whirlwind 36-hour trip to Washington, DC—an event that cracked open our perspectives, completely shifted our business strategy, and reminded us why getting in the right room changes everything. We share what it was really like to walk into a summit filled with powerhouse women—authors, founders, coaches, athletes, creators, and media leaders—and...

Everyone says, “Launch online!”—but is e-commerce really the best first move for product founders? In this episode, we challenge the idea that you have to start with a website. We’ll explore when it makes sense to go big with e-commerce, and when testing, wholesale, or pop-ups might be smarter for your bottom line. Enjoy 10% off ⁠ Accio.com ⁠ with code THESOURCINGGALS

Launching and scaling a product-based business takes capital—but where do you find it? In this episode, we explore funding strategies from business bank accounts like Mercury to crowdfunding platforms, credit cards, grants for women-owned businesses, and more. Mercury is the banking platform we personally use (we love that there are no monthly fees or wire fees!) https://mercury.com/partner/thesou...

From CEO to founder, Samantha Gold knows what it takes to scale a brand with both creativity and efficiency. She takes us behind the scenes of launching Motette, her top-rated children’s pajama brand, and shares how offshore teams through Atlas Row are helping founders grow smarter without burning out. Packed with actionable advice and real-world stories, this episode will inspire you to think dif...

Choosing colors for your product isn’t just fun—it’s a critical decision that impacts cost, lead time, and consistency. In this episode, we break down what lab dips are, why brands request them, and the trade-offs of creating custom colors versus sticking with stock options.

In this episode, Erin takes us behind the scenes of her home goods brand, Earnest Home Co. From the early spark of inspiration to the challenges of running solo, she shares what worked, what didn’t, and why she ultimately chose to close shop. It’s a candid, real-world founder story about balancing creativity, growth, and sustainability.