The Sourcing Gals

"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 breaks down the three lead times you're probably missing, the safety stock formula that prevents panic orders, and why tracking revenue instead of unit velocity is costing you money. If you've ever run out of stock during a promotion or air-freighted inventory because you miscalculated timing, this conversation will change how you plan.Why buying every SKU to the same MOQ creates inventory you can't sell [03:57]The three lead times you must track: fabric, production, and transit [09:35]How to calculate safety stock buffers without over-ordering [20:26]Why realistic lead times beat "best case scenario" planning every time [08:03]Why unit velocity per SKU matters more than total revenue [10:49]How to track trends using the last 2-4 weeks of sales data [10:49]The marketing inputs that affect demand: ads, influencers, events [11:59]Why carrying promotional spikes forward destroys cash flow [16:50]How to adjust size curves based on actual sales (not assumptions) [22:31]Why tank tops sold smaller sizes than other styles—and what that reveals [22:31]When it's okay to consciously choose an out-of-stock period [08:50]The replenishment log that tells you when to reorder before you run out [30:21]Inventory Planning Starter KitBoon’s Inventory Planning Starter Kit is a beginner-friendly toolkit for early-stage retail brands, designed to help founders plan inventory, track cash flow, and place smarter orders — without expensive software or a finance background. Normally $179, Sourcing Gals listeners get $50 off with code SOURCINGGALS.https://boon-llc.com/starter-kit02:58 - What inventory management actually means for product founders03:57 - The biggest mistake: buying every SKU at MOQ08:03 - The three lead times most founders miss09:35 - How to calculate realistic reorder timing10:49 - Why unit velocity beats revenue tracking11:59 - Marketing inputs that affect your demand forecast16:50 - Why promotional spikes shouldn't carry forward20:26 - Safety stock vs. lead time buffers explained22:31 - Adjusting size curves based on real sales data24:11 - Inventory management is like going to the gym30:21 - The five Excel tools in Boon's Starter Kit🎯 JOIN THE FOUNDERS CIRCLE ($27/mo):Go beyond the podcast. Get direct access to Jackie and Erin, dive deeper on every episode, and connect with founders who are actively building apparel and accessories brands.👉 https://www.thesourcinggals.com/founders-circle🧭 FIND YOUR PATH: Take the Founder Type Quiz to discover your custom roadmap👉 https://www.thesourcinggals.com/The-Smart-Start-Method📚 Enroll in Our Smarter Sourcing Course (the system we used to launch 100s of products)👉 https://www.thesourcinggals.com/smarter-sourcing👭 ABOUT THE SOURCING GALS:We spent 40+ years launching products at Abercrombie & Fitch, BaubleBar, and other billion-dollar retailers. Now we're giving you the exact tools, factory connections, and negotiation scripts we used—without the $100K agency price tag.How to Build a Smarter Initial Buy StrategyThe Metrics That Actually Drive Inventory DecisionsMaking Adjustments When Reality Hits Your PlanChapter Timestamps:

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 how to work effectively with overseas factories across time zones and language barriers, how to give feedback that actually gets executed, and when it’s worth hopping on a call instead of sending yet another email.If you’ve ever thought, “That’s not what I asked for” when a sample arrived — this episode is for you.Why over 50% of factory mistakes stem from miscommunication, not capabilityHow written communication (email, WhatsApp, WeChat) changes meaning across culturesWhy factories execute what you say — not what you meanThe importance of one email per day and keeping everything in a single threadHow filler words like “try” and “just” create confusionUsing bullet points, color-coded replies, and visuals to eliminate ambiguityHow to give sample feedback that’s clear, actionable, and respectfulWhen to pick up the phone (or jump on WeChat) to save days of back-and-forthCultural nuances in communication styles across regionsWhy consistency and documentation protect both you and the factory“Factories don’t fail you — communication does.”“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”If you didn’t write it down, it didn’t happen.Key Topics CoveredMemorable TakeawaysCheck out Accio – Source your product with the power of AIEnjoy 10% off Accio.com with code THESOURCINGGALSThe Founder's Circle – 🎯 JOIN THE FOUNDERS CIRCLE ($27/mo):Go beyond the podcast. Get direct access to Jackie and Erin, dive deeper on every episode, and connect with founders who are actively building apparel and accessories brands.👉 https://www.thesourcinggals.com/founders-circleCommunity Mention

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 founders can confidently attend sourcing shows to meet factories, compare partners, and accelerate their product journey — without needing to exhibit or place an order.This conversation is designed for emerging and growing brands who want real, practical guidance on finding manufacturers, navigating the show floor, and building relationships that actually lead to production success.

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 come with nuanced trade-offs that most first-time founders miss. Understanding the true economics of where your product is made can be the difference between a sustainable business and a failed launch.Try Nearshored.ai today by clicking here. Don't forget to use coupon code VIP3M25 for 25% off your first three months!

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 panicking and having a strategic solution isn't luck—it's implementing the same quality assurance systems billion-dollar retailers use before products ever leave the factory.

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 helped us uncover a major gap in the product sourcing and manufacturing space.In This Episode, We Cover:What it really took to build and sustain a podcast and business in year oneThe emotional and professional “shedding” that defined this year (the Year of the Snake)Letting go of corporate conditioning, scarcity thinking, and self-doubtWhy community became the most important—and unexpected—part of our workHow founders supporting founders accelerates clarity and confidenceWhat’s next as we move into the Year of the Horse, focused on momentum and purposeful growthFrom Shedding to MomentumThis year mirrored the energy of the Snake—not breaking, but growing.As we look ahead to the Horse, we’re shifting into forward motion, courage, and building together instead of alone.That realization led us to our next chapter.🤍 Introducing: The Founder’s CircleWe’re excited to announce the launch of The Founder’s Circle, a private Facebook community for product-based founders.Inside the community:-Monthly live Q&A calls with us-Access to templates, scripts, and practical tools-Ongoing discussion and support throughout the month-A space for founders at all stages to learn from and support one anotherJOIN US TODAY!🗓 Doors open January 1🎤 First live Q&A: January 28Link to Manifesting Episode of Dear GabbyA Final NoteIf you’re building a product-based business and feeling stuck, uncertain, or alone—this episode is your reminder that clarity comes faster in community. Thank you for being part of our journey this year. We can’t wait to build what’s next—with you.

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 dive into the early decisions that shape a brand’s future—from positioning and development to scaling sustainably without losing your vision.This conversation is especially helpful for product-based founders who feel overwhelmed by the number of decisions they’re “supposed” to get right early on—and want reassurance that clarity, not perfection, is what actually moves the needle.How to think strategically about brand and product from day oneCommon mistakes fashion founders make early—and how to avoid themWhy clarity and systems matter more than chasing trendsHow founders can set themselves up for sustainable growthThe importance of aligning product, brand, and business goalsARD Fashion Consulting Website: https://ard-consulting.comFollow Amanda on Instagram: @ardfashionconsultingConnect on LinkedIn: Amanda RangoARD Fashion Founders Checklist (mentioned in the episode)3-Month The Sourcing Gals Intensive:👉 https://www.thesourcinggals.com/offers/orBsjA79/checkoutAmanda Rango is the founder of ARD Fashion Consulting, where she helps emerging and established fashion brands build with purpose, structure, and long-term vision. Her work bridges creativity and strategy—guiding founders through brand development, product decisions, and operational clarity so they can grow confidently and sustainably.

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 what we learned from being surrounded by women who are building multi-hyphenate, multi-revenue-stream lives on purpose. We get into the curated dinners (the highlight!), the uncomfortable-but-worth-it moments, the breakthroughs on thinking way bigger, and the unexpected clarity we each walked away with.We also talk about:• The exact question that cracked open Erin’s direction• Why women entrepreneurs should stop downplaying big dreams• The mindset shifts we’re making after being told directly, “You’re not thinking big enough”• Why you should go to the event even when it feels inconvenient, expensive, or premature• The subtle art of being in rooms where everyone is operating at a higher level• How this summit is shaping the future of The Sourcing GalsLinks We Mentioned (as promised):Keri Croft’s podcast episodeOur newsletter sign-upM.M. LaFleur If you’re building something, dreaming about something, or convincing yourself you’re “not ready” yet… this episode is your nudge to go bigger, think bolder, and get in the room where your next level lives.

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/thesourcinggals**disclosure, we are affiliate partners with Mercury and get a small commission at no cost to you

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 differently about scaling.

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.

Trademark and IP attorney Nuzayra Haque joins us to demystify the legal side of building a product-based business. From patents and trademarks to contracts and red flags with overseas manufacturers, she breaks down what founders really need to know—without the legal jargon. Whether you’re just starting or ready to scale, this episode will help you protect what you’ve worked so hard to build.

Most founders waste thousands because they start in the wrong place. In this episode, we reveal the 3 biggest early mistakes that sabotage product success — and how to avoid them with the insider foundations big brands never skip.👉 Join The Smart Start Method and turn your idea into a profit-ready plan in just 4 weeks. Limited time: $67 (regular $97). JOIN US TODAY!

What colors, textures, materials, and styles are catching our eye this season? In this episode, we chat about what’s inspiring us right now, what we’re seeing in the market, and how product founders can stay inspired and on-trend—without chasing every fad.

In this episode, we sit down with Carlyn Bushman—former corporate executive turned serial entrepreneur and founder of POP Academy. Carlyn shares her journey of building businesses from the ground up, the most common mistakes she sees women make when starting out, and her best advice for creating sustainable revenue streams. If you’re ready to step into your passion and grow smarter, this conversation is for you.