I’ve been part of The Boutique Hub for more than five years, and I was so excited to welcome its founder, Ashley Alderson, to the Launch Your Box Podcast. Ashley started The Boutique Hub in 2013 to give small business owners a place to connect, learn, and grow together. Today, the Hub supports more than 100,000 small businesses.

What Loyalty Really Looks Like

When I asked Ashley what customer loyalty actually looks like, she didn’t hesitate. It’s all about building community.

People want to buy from people. The more your customers feel connected to you and your brand, the more loyal they become.

Ashley shared her team’s approach to content creation, something she calls the VAVA Method.

Viral: Is it relatable enough that someone would click, like, share, or comment?

Authentic: Does it sound like a real person said it?

Value: Does it help your audience by saving them time, solving a problem, or making their day better?

Aspirational: Does it make them feel like they’re becoming a better version of themselves?

When you’re running a product-based business, you can’t just sell all the time. Ashley says that at any given moment, about 90% of your audience isn’t ready to buy, so you need to nurture them with community-building content. Ashley suggests ratio of two-thirds soft-sell, one-third direct-sell.

Sales Is a Noble Process

Ashley reminded us that selling is about serving. When you connect with your audience, help them solve problems, and make their lives a little better, that’s a noble thing.

As subscription box owners, we have to be attached to that outcome for our subscribers. We start by building community, then we serve that community, and then we sell to that community. That’s servant leadership in action.

How to Build Loyalty That Lasts

Ashley shared that true loyalty comes from creating an emotional reaction. Everything, from your community and marketing to post-purchase experiences, should make your customers feel something.

Your subscribers should always believe the value of your box is greater than its price. As Ashley likes to say, “Cheap ain’t loyal.”

Be the face of your brand. Let people see you. Because at the end of the day, people want to buy from people.

The Six Layers of a Sustainable Business

Ashley broke down the six layers every business needs to build a strong foundation:

Operations and Brand

Profits and Profitability

Team

Sales Strategy

Content Strategy

Social Media

Each layer works together to create a business that’s stable, scalable, and ready for long-term success.

The Future of Small Business

Ashley sees a shift happening, away from isolation and scrolling, and back toward real human connection. People are craving community, conversation, and relationships again. And that’s great news for subscription box owners, because community is what we do best.

Take Action

Spend time this week building connection with your audience. Share something that’s relatable, real, and valuable - something that reminds your followers there’s a person behind your brand.

Join me for this episode with Ashley Alderson of The Boutique Hub to learn how to build loyalty through community and content that connects.

Where to find Ashley: 

The Boutique Hub on Facebook

The Boutique Hub on Instagram

The Boutique Hub Website 

Join me in all the places:    

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Launch Your Box with Sarah Website 
Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Launching your subscription box shouldn’t require a tech degree or a six-figure software stack. Yet too many new subscription box owners spend weeks stressing about tools. Or worse, skip setup until launch week.

Let’s fix that.

In this quick Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I’m walking you through the exact tech tools you actually need to launch your subscription box. Nothing fancy, nothing extra, just what works from Day 1.

The 4 Core Tools Every Subscription Box Business Needs

Before you launch your subscription box, you need four core systems in place:

Website Platform – Shopify or WooCommerce

Payment Processor – PayWhirl or Stripe

Shipping Software – Shopify Shipping or ShipStation

Email Marketing CRM – Klaviyo

Hire Out the Tech or DIY?

If setting up checkout flows and automations makes your eyes glaze over, you’re not alone.

You don’t get bonus points for doing it all yourself. You can hire someone for a few hundred dollars to get your tech stack up and running, or take it step-by-step yourself. 

The key is that everything works before you go live.

Test Like a Customer

Testing your tech isn’t optional. Walk through your own site like it’s your first visit:

Can you place a test order from start to finish?

Do your emails send automatically?

Are your shipping options correct?

Do recurring payments process properly?

Do your confirmation emails look professional?

Click every link. Test every flow. You’ve worked hard to get people to your site, don’t lose them because of a broken button or missing email.

A Bonus Tool for Staying Organized

Is your desk covered in sticky notes? It’s time for a free project-management tool like Trello, Asana, or ClickUp.

Use it to organize launch tasks, email prep, or even box curation. Each has a free version and will save you serious stress.

Take Action

Carve out an hour to audit your tech stack.

Set up your storefront, payment processor, and email CRM.

Run a full test order from start to finish.

Make sure every piece, from opt-in to order confirmation, works flawlessly.

You don’t need the fanciest tools. You just need tools that work. 

Keep it simple, get it tested, and be ready when subscribers start clicking “buy.”

Join me for this quick, practical episode and walk away with a clear, budget-friendly tech plan that’s ready for launch day.

Join me in all the places:    

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Launch Your Box with Sarah Website 

Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Ready or not, the 4th quarter is here. It’s time to sell! The 4th quarter is crucial for any small business. It can make or break your year and generate the momentum you need going into the next year. The 4th quarter matters. I’ve been through nine 4th quarters in my business and I’ve learned a LOT along the way. 

In this episode, we’re talking about four areas you need to focus on during this important time of the year in order to maximize your revenue before year-end.

That sounds like a lot of extra work to do, doesn’t it? And it is. But it is all SO important. So it’s time to ask yourself, “What can I eliminate from my day-to-day so I can focus on these revenue-generating activities?” 

Now is not the time to start a blog or podcast. It’s not time to create a new ebook or opt-in. It’s not time to build a new website or plan for 2024. 

Now is the time to focus on SALES and the activities that generate those sales. 

The 4th quarter is here! Join me for this episode as I walk you through 4 areas of focus you need to jump into right now to make the most of your 4th quarter. 

Join me in all the places: 

Are you ready for ⁠Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠Join ⁠today!

Are you worried you’ll launch your subscription box and no one will subscribe?

You’re not alone. This fear shows up for nearly every subscription box owner at some point, especially in the early days.

In this Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I’m sharing a mindset shift and some simple, strategic steps to help you move forward with clarity. Even if you’re starting from zero.

If fear or self-doubt has you feeling stuck, this is the pep talk you need.

Instead of worrying about launch day numbers:

1 - Know that this fear is normal.

The fear of “no subscribers” doesn’t mean you’re not cut out to be a subscription box owner. It means you care. Acknowledge the fear, but don’t let it call the shots.

2 - Don’t obsess over your launch date.

Setting a date can be helpful, but it’s not the most important thing. Focus on taking action and building momentum before the cart opens.

3 - Start building your waitlist now.

Your waitlist is your best launch asset. It gives you an audience of warm leads who are interested, engaged, and ready to buy when the time comes.

4 - Understand that clarity comes from action.

You don’t need all the answers to get started. Just take the next right step. Then the next. That’s how you build both confidence and progress.

Your Friday Fuel Challenge

You’re not behind. You’re just getting started.

The best way to start? Take one small action this week to build your waitlist.

Post a teaser, create a freebie, and talk about your box. Progress beats perfection. Every single time.

Join me in all the places:    

⁠Facebook⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠Launch Your Box with Sarah Website⁠ 

Are you ready for ⁠Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠Join the waitlist ⁠today!

“Is it better to have a monthly or quarterly subscription box?” 

This question comes up a lot inside Launch Your Box and on the How to Start a Subscription Box public Facebook page. The truth is, there is no one answer to this question. No right or wrong when it comes to choosing a monthly or quarterly box. There’s only the answer that’s right for you. 

Your answer to whether a monthly or quarterly box is right for you and your business depends on your goals for your business and what is most important to you as a business owner. 

Each model has its benefits and its drawbacks. It’s important to understand both before making a decision about the frequency of your subscription box. 

The pros and cons of a quarterly subscription box:

1. Revenue

2. Curation/Products  

3. Frequency/Recency 

4. Time   

Top cons of a quarterly subscription box:

Top pros of a quarterly subscription box: 

We’ve talked about monthly and quarterly boxes and the pros and cons of each. But, there is one other option and it seems to be gaining in popularity: bi-monthly subscription boxes. Bi-monthly boxes are curated and fulfilled every other month. Some subscription box owners and subscribers find this to be just the right balance between a monthly box and a quarterly box. 

Join me for this episode as I talk about why there’s not an easy answer to the question, “Is it better to have a monthly or quarterly subscription box?” and walk you through the pros and cons of each. 

Join me in all the places: 

Are you ready for ⁠Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠Join ⁠today!

Running a subscription box business can feel like a whirlwind. One month you’re celebrating new subscribers, and the next you’re carrying over tasks you didn’t finish and the stress that causes. That’s why a monthly reset is so powerful. It clears the clutter, refocuses your energy, and helps you move forward with intention.

In this week’s Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I’m sharing five reset habits I use every month in my own business that will help you keep growing without the burnout.

1. Review Your Numbers

Your numbers tell the story of your business. Take 30 minutes each month to check new subscribers, churn, revenue, and follower & list growth. Don’t overcomplicate it. Track these numbers in a simple spreadsheet and look for patterns that point the way forward.

2. Clear the “Rocks in Your Backpack”

Unfinished tasks weigh you down. At the start of the month, make a list of what’s still hanging over you. Then delete what no longer matters, delegate what you can, and finish the ones that truly move the needle.

3. Set One or Two Goals

Stop chasing everything. Choose one or two goals that actually grow your business this month, like growing your waitlist, setting up an ad campaign, or batching social content.

Four weeks. One focus. Big progress.

4. Create a Roadmap

Once you know your goals, map them out in 3–5 action steps. Keep it visible — in your planner, on a whiteboard, or even on your phone wallpaper — to stay focused all month long.

5. Build in Weekly Accountability

Check in with yourself every week.

Ask: What’s my goal? What step am I on? Where am I stuck? Staying accountable keeps you from realizing at the end of the month that you’ve drifted off track.

Your Friday Fuel Challenge

Set aside one hour this weekend or Monday morning to walk through these five reset habits. Your future self — and your subscribers — will thank you.

Join me for this episode of Friday Fuel and discover the 5 reset habits that will keep your subscription box growing strong every month.

Join me in all the places:    

Facebook

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Launch Your Box with Sarah Website 

Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Have you been struggling with your business this year? Maybe you’re not reaching your revenue goals or you haven’t launched that new idea, product, or subscription box yet. Many times, our businesses need one little tweak - a change in process, strategy, or just mindset - to change everything. 

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 truth bombs that will have you looking at your business differently. Take the time to sit with and think about each of these to see how they might apply to you and your business. 

We focused all of the training this year inside Launch Your Box on these 10 things. I’m here to help you understand these 10 things and make progress with each of them. 

Remember, you are on a subscription box journey. This journey never ends. It’s always a work in progress. Just keep making progress! 

Join me in all the places: 

Are you ready for ⁠Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠Join ⁠today!

If sales make you feel awkward, pushy, or like it’s just not your thing, you’re not alone. For so many subscription box owners, especially women, selling can feel uncomfortable. We’d rather let our boxes speak for themselves than risk being “too salesy.”

I used to feel the same way. I’d spend hours curating the perfect box, but when it came time to ask for the sale? I’d shrink into the background. I believed selling meant convincing people to buy something they didn’t want – and that fear kept me quiet.

Then one mindset shift changed everything:

Sales isn’t about convincing. Sales is about serving.

When I started to see sales as service, everything clicked.

Why Sales = Service

Your box is so much more than a collection of items. It’s confidence. It’s joy. It’s permission to feel special again.

When subscribers tell me things like:

“I wore that kimono to my daughter’s graduation.”

“Your box is my one treat every month.”

“Opening your box is the moment I get to focus on myself.”

…it reminds me that NOT sharing my box is actually a disservice. By talking about it, I’m giving someone the chance to experience joy, relief, or encouragement they truly need.

How to Put This Shift into Practice

Here are three ways you can reframe sales as service in your own business:

Start with the problem you solve.Don’t just list what’s inside your box. Focus on the transformation. A teacher’s box isn’t just supplies; it’s a monthly reminder that she matters.

Talk about benefits, not just features.Features = “candle, sticker, bracelet.”Benefits = “a moment of calm at the end of a hard day.”People don’t buy things; they buy the way those things make them feel.

Stop overthinking how often you show up.You’re not bugging people. You’re being consistent. Each reminder might be the exact nudge someone needs to say yes to themselves.

Take Action

This week, I want you to practice this mindset shift:

Write one post or one email about your subscription box.

Instead of listing what’s inside, tell the story of how it makes someone’s life better.

Hit “publish” or “send” and remind yourself you’re serving, not selling.

Sales is service. The right people are waiting, but they can’t say yes if you don’t show up.

Ready to reframe how you think about selling? Join me for this Friday Fuel episode as I share the mindset shift that turned sales from something I dreaded into one of the most powerful ways I serve my audience. You’ll walk away with practical steps to show up with confidence and start sharing your box in a way that feels authentic – and effective.

Join me in all the places:    

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Launch Your Box with Sarah Website 

Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly having to explain your subscription box… or if browsers seem interested but rarely convert into subscribers… this episode is for you.

Inside the Launch Your Box community, I see the same challenge over and over again. And it’s something I struggled with myself in the early days. We want to give our customers “all the things.” 

But what actually happens when we do? Too many choices, vague messaging, and complicated pricing lead to friction that stops sales in their tracks.

The good news? You can fix it. And it starts with one powerful shift: simplicity sells.

How Subscription Box Owners Overcomplicate

I see this issue everywhere, from coaching calls to live website reviews:

Too many product types. Mixing categories (like books and skincare) confuses your customer and muddies your message.

Too many options. Five tiers, three payment plans, add-ons galore… decision fatigue kicks in, and carts get abandoned.

Complicated pricing. Multi-month discounts and perks sound helpful, but often paralyze buyers.

Vague or “cute” messaging. Phrases like “delightfully curated” don’t clearly explain what’s in the box or who it’s for — and unclear means no sale.

Why Complexity Creates Conversion Friction

When your subscription box feels confusing, it costs you sales in three big ways:

You’re constantly explaining. If people don’t “get it” instantly, you’ll spend time justifying instead of selling.

Confused people don’t buy. Life already brings decision overload. Your box should feel like relief, not another hard choice.

You lose people on your website. Extra clicks, unclear copy, or too many checkout options make it too easy to leave.

The Power of Simplicity

Here’s why simplicity wins:

Clear boxes convert. One offer, one customer, one problem solved = an easy yes.

Simple offers are easier to sell and scale. One price, one plan keeps tech, communication, and cancellations under control.

Simple messaging builds trust. When people instantly understand what your box is, they’re more likely to subscribe and stay subscribed.

How to Simplify Your Subscription Box

If you’re ready to cut through the clutter, start here:

Audit your offer. Can you explain your box in one sentence? Is it clear what customers are actually subscribing to?

Review your website. Is your call-to-action obvious? Are you forcing visitors to make too many decisions?

Simplify your messaging. In ten seconds, can a stranger tell: what your box is, who it’s for, and why they need it?

Focus on ONE box. Especially under 300 subscribers. Don’t split your energy. Go all in on one clear, strong offer.

Take Action

Complexity creates confusion, and confusion kills sales. 

Simplicity, on the other hand, builds clarity, trust, and momentum.

This week, I challenge you to audit your subscription box and website for simplicity. Ask yourself:

Where am I overcomplicating?

Can I make this easier to understand?

What’s one decision I can take off my customer’s plate today?

When you simplify, you not only make it easier for people to say yes, you make it easier for your business to grow.

Join me for this episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast and get the clarity you need to simplify your subscription box offer and boost conversions.

Join me in all the places:    

Facebook

Instagram

Launch Your Box with Sarah Website 

Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Start Before You’re Ready: 4 Simple Steps to Begin Your Subscription Box with What You Have

What’s holding you back from launching your subscription box? Is it because your website isn’t perfect, your audience feels too small, or your idea still seems messy?

You’re not alone. So many future subscription box owners stall out waiting for the “right” time.

The truth is there is no perfect time. You don’t need perfection, you need momentum.

In this week’s Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I’m breaking down four simple steps to help you start your subscription box with what you already have.

No excuses. No waiting. Just real, imperfect action that builds clarity and confidence as you go.

Step 1: Pick One Person to Serve

Your box isn’t for everyone. Start by focusing on one specific person you want to serve. When you know exactly who your subscriber is, everything else – your content, your product choices, your messaging – becomes easier and more effective.

Step 2: Use a Waitlist Page (Not a Website)

You don’t need a full website to get started. A simple waitlist page can help you share who the box is for, what’s inside, and when it’s coming. You can set this up in hours, not weeks, and immediately start gathering interested people.

Step 3: Document > Create

Stop overthinking and start sharing. Your audience doesn’t want perfect—they want connection. Share behind-the-scenes decisions, product picks, or packaging ideas. Let them vote, give input, and feel like they’re part of the journey. This builds trust and excitement long before you launch.

Step 4: Launch Messy

You are allowed to launch before it looks perfect. Some of the most successful subscription box owners I coach launched with no logo, just a waitlist, and 10 subscribers. What mattered wasn’t perfection—it was getting started.

Take Action

Your “homework” from this Friday Fuel is simple:

Pick your person.

Build a waitlist.

Share the behind-the-scenes.

Launch messy.

You are more ready than you think. But the only way forward is to take the next step. Not someday – today.

Join me for this Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, where I’ll walk you through four simple steps to start your subscription box now. Yep, even before you think you’re ready.

Join me in all the places:    

Facebook

Instagram

Launch Your Box with Sarah Website 

Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!