Episode 62: What Actually Happens on a China Sourcing Trip

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.

Episode 61: How to Actually Get Your Product Into Retail

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 your product fits within a retailer’s existing assortment. They also share how founders can strategically position themselves for wholesale growth, avoid common mistakes, and build products that are designed for retail from the very beginning. If your dream is to see your product in stores, this episode is your roadmap.

Episode 60: Pivot or Distraction? How to Know the Difference

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 digital education brand into a full-scale manufacturing agency. Along the way, they break down how to recognize when change is truly necessary, how to avoid “shiny object syndrome,” and why some of the best pivots happen when you stop fighting what the market is clearly telling you. If you’ve been questioning your direction, feeling stuck, or wondering whether to stay the course or make a move, this episode will help you think through it more strategically.

Episode 59: 10X Is Easier Than 2X (Here’s Why You’re Doing It Wrong)

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, simplifying, and focusing on what actually moves the needle. Through real examples from their own businesses and clients, they show what 10X thinking looks like in practice — from shifting business models to licensing deals, retail expansion, and letting go of what no longer serves you. If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like your business is getting more complex instead of more profitable, this episode will give you a completely new lens.

Episode 58: The Real Reason Brands Choose China

“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 China actually does better than anywhere else — from speed and efficiency to innovation and infrastructure. They also address the common concerns founders have around ethics, quality, and communication, and explain how much of the fear is rooted in misinformation rather than reality. If you’ve been hesitant to explore overseas manufacturing, this episode will give you a much clearer, more informed perspective.