The Sourcing Gals

Live selling isn't the future. It's already here. Fresh off three appearances on QVC—including one show where products sold at nearly $7,000 per minute —Jackie shares what she learned from selling live on national television and why founders of every size should be paying attention. From TikTok Shop and Instagram Live to Whatnot, Facebook Live, and QVC, Erin and Jackie break down why authe...

Most founders think their next step is finding a manufacturer. It's usually not. In this episode, Erin and Jackie introduce LAUNCH —The Sourcing Gals' strategic planning framework that helps founders validate, position, and prepare their products before spending thousands of dollars on manufacturing. Using decades of experience in retail product development, sourcing, and merchandising, th...

What does it actually take to launch a product brand successfully? In this special live episode, Erin and Jackie teach a Founder Crash Course for the Columbus Fashion Alliance's Launch Lab program — a community helping emerging founders turn product ideas into real businesses. Recorded in front of a room full of entrepreneurs, this conversation covers everything from finding manufacturers and...

One of the most common things founders say is: "I just need to find a factory to make my prototype." But what if you're not actually ready for a prototype yet? In this episode, Erin and Jackie break down one of the biggest mistakes they see product founders make: jumping into sampling before they've done the foundational work needed to create a successful product. They explain wh...

Half the year is already behind us. Before you jump into Q3 planning, holiday prep, and chasing the next big goal, there's one thing every founder should do first: stop and take inventory. In this episode, Erin and Jackie walk through their own mid-year business review and share the lessons, surprises, wins, and pivots that have shaped the first six months of the year. They discuss the massive...

Most founders spend months perfecting their product—and only a few hours thinking about the packaging. That’s backwards. In this episode, Erin and Jackie sit down with packaging expert Kelley of Hidden Path Creative to unpack the role packaging plays in building trust, increasing sales, getting into retail, and creating a memorable customer experience. From direct-to-consumer brands to wholesale-r...

This week, Erin recorded her very first solo episode — live from China. After flying overseas for a fast-moving cosmetic bag project, she takes listeners behind the scenes of what actually happens during a sourcing and product development trip, why proximity matters, and how seeing samples in person can dramatically improve both speed and quality. From factory visits and material selection to samp...

Most founders think getting into retail is all about finding the buyer. It’s not. In this episode, Erin and Jackie break down what it actually means to be “retail ready” — and why so many products never make it onto shelves, even if the idea itself is good. They walk through the behind-the-scenes process buyers care about most: pricing, margins, packaging, positioning, differentiation, and how you...

Every founder hits this moment eventually: “Should I keep going… or is it time to pivot?” In this episode, Erin and Jackie unpack the difference between a smart, data-driven business pivot and simply getting distracted, discouraged, or bored. They share real examples from their own businesses — from postpartum pajamas evolving into the menopause space to The Sourcing Gals transforming from a digit...

If your current growth plan is to “just do more”… this episode is going to challenge everything about that. Erin and Jackie break down the concept of 10X vs 2X growth — and why working harder is often the exact thing holding your business back. They unpack the framework from 10X Is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan and explain how real growth doesn’t come from adding more — it comes from eliminating,...

“Made in China” has become a loaded phrase — but is the reputation actually accurate? In this episode, Erin and Jackie unpack the biggest misconceptions around manufacturing in China and explain why it remains one of the most powerful tools for building a scalable, profitable product business. They share firsthand experience working with factories over the past two decades and break down what Chin...

Everyone talks about “minimum viable product” — but in the physical product world, it’s often completely misunderstood. In this episode, Erin and Jackie break down what an MVP actually is, how it applies to product-based businesses, and why so many founders get stuck overbuilding before they ever launch. They explain the difference between simplifying your product and compromising your brand — and...

Indecision might feel harmless — but in a product business, it’s one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. In this episode, Erin and Jackie break down how hesitation, overthinking, and delayed decisions quietly drain your time, money, and momentum. From dragging out product development timelines to missing key market windows, they’ve seen firsthand how founders lose thousands simply by not...

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...