Episode 66: The Sourcing Crash Course: What We Wish Every Product Brand Knew About Sourcing

Episode 66: The Sourcing Crash Course: What We Wish Every Product Brand Knew About Sourcing

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 building supplier relationships to negotiating costs, planning inventory, setting margins, and avoiding the expensive mistakes that derail so many founders. Along the way, Erin and Jackie answer live audience questions about apparel production, wholesale strategy, overseas manufacturing, Made in USA sourcing, trade shows, quality control, and scaling a product-based business. Whether you're still sitting on an idea or already preparing for your first production run, this episode is packed with practical advice that can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.

Episode 65: Before You Build a Prototype, Listen to This

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 why rushing into prototyping often leads to wasted time, expensive revisions, frustrated factory relationships, and products that miss the mark entirely. If you're in the early stages of product development, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and build a much stronger foundation before you ever send a tech pack to a factory.

Episode 64: The Mid-Year CEO Check-In: What's Working, What's Not, and What's Next

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 shift The Sourcing Gals made from a primarily education-focused business into a fast-growing product development and manufacturing agency, what has worked, what hasn't, and why some of their biggest breakthroughs came from following demand instead of forcing a plan. Whether you're still in the idea stage, actively selling products, or scaling an established brand, this episode will help you reflect, reset, and build a stronger strategy for the second half of the year.

Episode 63: Packaging That Sells: What Every Founder Gets Wrong

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-ready products, Kelley shares practical advice on when to start thinking about packaging, how much to invest, what retailers expect, and the biggest mistakes founders make along the way. Whether you're launching your first product or preparing to pitch major retailers, this episode will completely change how you think about packaging.

Episode 62: What Actually Happens on a China Sourcing Trip

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 sample revisions, market research, and difficult conversations with vendors, this episode pulls back the curtain on how products really get made — and why some projects absolutely benefit from being developed on the ground. She also shares the biggest misconceptions people have about manufacturing in China, the realities of overseas production, and why communication and iteration are such a critical part of the process. If you’ve ever wondered what actually happens during a sourcing trip, this episode is your backstage pass.