Welcome to Subscription Box Answers, the podcast for anyone looking to start or scale a successful subscription box business. I'm Liam Brennan, co-founder of BusterBox, a dog subscription box company that we started in a spare bedroom back in 2016. Since then, we've grown to thousands of subscribers and over $13 million in sales, and along the way, I've learned a ton about what it takes to make a subscription box business thrive. In this no-nonsense podcast, I'll be sharing all of my proven ...
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Launch Your Box Podcast with Sarah Williams | Start, Launch, and Grow Your Subscription Box
Sarah Williams
8 years ago I had a dream to start a Subscription Box service full of goodies for women to treat themselves and nurture the importance of self care. It took me a full 18 months to make it happen! I was paralyzed by ‘all the things’ I had to figure out with no one to turn to for guidance. That is why I created Launch Your Box! Maybe you need some direction on how to begin, or you are ready to grow your subscriber base. Either way, it all starts with an idea that can turn into a constant reocc ...
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Have a subscription box idea, but not sure where to start? You are in the right place! Subscription Box Basics is a podcast for new and aspiring subscription box entrepreneurs. Hosts Julie Ball and Renae Gonzalez have been in the sub box game since 2016, shipping over 65,000 Sparkle Hustle Grow boxes equating to nearly $2.5 million in sales before selling the business for multiple six figures. Over the years, we've helped hundreds get their box idea off the ground and it's our passion to emp ...
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Hey, Welcome to The Subscription Box Show, where you’ll hear from the world’s top subscription box entrepreneurs and other amazing leaders in all facets of the industry. We deep dive into all aspects of the business so you can take their expertise, knowledge, and experience, and apply it directly to your very own business. I’m your host Eric Musick, and we’ll be talking about the growing world of Subscription boxes. Did you know the subscription box industry is now valued at over US$ 23 Bill ...
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This past year in my business was filled with wins, challenges, and hard-earned lessons. And that’s okay. Because being an entrepreneur, and especially a subscription box owner, isn’t as glamorous as the internet sometimes makes it seem. It’s more like a rollercoaster – holding on tight through the highs, the lows, and all the in-betweens. In this …
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In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, we dive deep into one of the most impactful strategies for improving retention rates in your subscription box business: picking up the phone and talking directly to your customers. As we move into 2025, keeping customers happy and subscribed for longer is more critical than ever, especially after the hol…
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“If you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast, now is the perfect time.” - Sarah Heeter. My podcast producer, Sarah Heeter, joined me for today’s episode to talk about all things podcast. We talked about the benefits of podcasting and why starting a niche-specific podcast could be a valuable part of your audience-building strategy. Sarah knows …
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On this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I’m sitting down with Stefan Pretty to discuss the power of sign-up flows and surveys in growing your subscription box business. I firmly believe that the majority of subscription boxes need to implement a survey to properly onboard their customers. Surveys help you collect vital information, allowing yo…
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Are you sitting on extra inventory as we near the end of the year? For most of you, sales are strong right now. You're filling holiday orders and managing all that comes with this busy season. But as the end of the year draws near, it’s time to liquidate leftover stock. Why is liquidating inventory important? Liquidating inventory frees up your cas…
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In this week’s episode of Subscription Box Answers, I’m joined by Stefan Pretty, the CEO of Subbly, for an insightful chat about launching and scaling subscription box businesses. Stefan introduces Subbly's exciting new "Launch with Subbly" service, which helps subscription box owners create a done-for-you website tailored to their vision. This off…
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“Don’t bring that stale inventory into 2023!” - Sarah Williams Inventory is one of the biggest challenges product-based businesses face. Too much, not enough… and what happens if it doesn’t sell? Now, during this buying season, is the perfect time to liquidate any old or stale inventory you have sitting on your shelves. One of my favorite ways to m…
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In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, we’re talking about Black Friday / Cyber Monday! I’m sharing what we’re doing at BusterBox to inspire you and give you ideas to make as much money as possible. You don’t need to discount everything at this time of year. Instead, you can get creative with free gifts, which will help protect your margins w…
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Entrepreneurial overwhelm is part being a small business owner, especially during the 4th quarter. But that doesn’t mean feeling overwhelmed is a fact of entrepreneurial life you can’t do anything about. Overwhelm leads to two things: burnout and bad decisions. Burnout is bad for your health – physically, mentally, and emotionally. And bad decision…
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Description for this Episode of Subscription Box Answers: In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, Liam Brennan sits down with subscription expert Matthew Holman, founder of Subscription Prescription. Together, they dive deep into the secrets of acquisition and retention for subscription box businesses. Matthew shares actionable insights on cre…
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“Stand tall and own your buying power.” Is this going to be the year you find new sources for products? Have you been curious about how to order products from overseas manufacturers? Are you wondering what Alibaba is and why so many subscription box owners use it to order products at great prices? If any of those sound like you, this episode is for…
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On today's episode, I'm sharing 5 easy things you can sell to make more money this Q4. It’s obviously very important to focus on growing your subscriber base over these busy months, but there are also big opportunities to make extra money if you know what you're doing. The first Christmas we had was an eye-opening realization—we discovered our cust…
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It’s the 4th quarter—also known as the busiest, craziest time of the year for product-based business owners! You've planned your 4th quarter promotions and products are arriving, but have you thought about the logistics of fulfilling and shipping all those orders? In this episode, I share shipping hacks and strategies to help subscription box owner…
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On this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I explain an easy way to win back canceled subscribers using Facebook ads. Allocating part of your marketing budget to win-backs can be a smart strategy, especially when you focus on your best customers. These customers have already shown they are a good fit for your business, even if they canceled for v…
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“More emails equals more sales!” - Sarah Williams We’re more than halfway through the 4th quarter. For product sellers, it’s the busiest time of the year. It’s also our best chance to make some serious revenue. You’re probably feeling tired and maybe even overwhelmed. I’m tired, too. Rest when you can and then get to work. There are some things you…
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In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I’m sharing marketing tips to help you maximize revenue and attract as many new subscribers as possible this Q4. Today, I’ll discuss an offer mix that helped us sign up 2,000 new subscribers in just a few weeks. We’re running two offers simultaneously, which has helped us overcome spending limits, reduce…
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The 4th Quarter is here! It’s the busiest shopping season of the year and a can’t-miss opportunity to bring more revenue into your subscription box business. If you haven’t started preparing for your 4th quarter promotions, it’s time to start. This episode is all about maximizing your 4th quarter sales by tapping into your existing audience and sub…
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On this week's episode, we’re building on last week's discussion and continuing to talk about email marketing. I'm sharing another example of an email that achieved amazing results for BusterBox. This email brought in 92 new subscribers in 1 day and 400 in total. I go through the entire email step by step, breaking down exactly why it worked so wel…
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“If it doesn’t scare you, you’re not dreaming big enough.” - Sarah Williams Most of us launch our subscription box businesses from a spare bedroom, the garage, or even the kitchen table. But when do you make the decision to move out of the house and into your own commercial space? In this episode, we’re talking with Cheryl Ham of Hypnotic Yarn. She…
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In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I share two examples of funny sales emails we’ve used at BusterBox to increase sign-ups. A great way to differentiate yourself from your competitors is through your marketing. Never be afraid to push the boat out and try some outrageous ideas that other companies might be too afraid to attempt. This is h…
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Every year for the last five years I’ve sold a Holiday Gift Box. This year was no different. What was different was that my Holiday Gift Box sold out in only four days! And it brought $20,000 in extra revenue into my business. Should you offer a Holiday Gift Box to your audience? Yes! If you already have a subscription box, you should absolutely of…
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In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I cover the 5 mistakes you should absolutely avoid if you want to have a very successful Q4. I’ve been involved in this industry for a long time, and these are the most common mistakes I see people make. For the vast majority of subscription box niches, Q4 will be the busiest time of the year. This is wh…
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Launching a one-time holiday box in the 4th quarter is good business. Doing it without running ads isn’t. That’s why I brought my friend and colleague Josh Coffy of The Ecommerce Alley to talk with us. Listen to episode 169 for more about why YOU should consider a one-time holiday box. Do you need to run Facebook Ads? You should always be building …
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One of the biggest challenges with any product-based business is turning over excess stock as quickly as possible. The last thing you want is stock building up. If this compounds over time, it can put a strain on your business’s finances. In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I share 5 ways you can turn excess stock into cash fast. This is e…
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Audience building is the key to a successful subscription box launch. It’s also the key to the growth and sustainability of your subscription box business. In today’s episode, we’re talking about 5 ways to build an audience for each stage of the subscription box journey. A reality of a subscription box is that each month will also bring cancellatio…
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It’s 100% possible to start a subscription box business on a budget! You don’t need to invest thousands to get up and running. When we started BusterBox, we barely had any money. I invested €3,000 over 12 months, and that was it. Over time, that small investment turned into millions of dollars in revenue and a business that now supports a team of 1…
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Taking action. That’s something my guest today is great at. She joined my Subscription Box Week in June and within 30 days had launched her subscription (to more than 100 subscribers) and started generating recurring revenue. She’s been inspiring members inside Launch Your Box and I know she’ll inspire you, too! Serving Before Selling Tracey Philli…
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In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I sit down with Julie Ball, the founder of Sparkle Hustle Grow, and Lo Hixson, the founder of Passion & Growth, to discuss how their subscription box businesses completely changed their lives. Both of them started their subscription boxes from the comfort of their homes, and in a short period of time, th…
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“Email marketing needs to be part of your audience building strategy.” - Sarah Williams You know social media is an important part of audience building. You’re showing up consistently, creating engaging posts and reels, connecting with your followers. But… How often are you sending emails to your email list? Just as important as your social media (…
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In today's episode of Subscription Box Answers, I'm sharing what’s currently working well for us on Meta. We're seeing great results with a combination of Advantage+ audience targeting, lookalike audiences, and engagement strategies to boost social proof. I know several brands using this setup, and it's working exceptionally well for them right now…
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As a subscription box owner, you spend so much time working to gain new subscribers. But how much time and energy do you put into retaining your current subscribers? Cancellations are a reality of the subscription box industry. No matter how amazing your subscription box is and no matter how much time and effort you put into creating an outstanding…
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Ready to discover the secrets behind a thriving craft subscription box business? Today, we chat with Nicole Bannell, the creative force behind Nicole's Jungle, a one-of-a-kind subscription service that lets you craft your own miniature paper plants from the comfort of home. Nicole takes us through her journey, from leaving a corporate career to emb…
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Have you been sitting on the sidelines, listening, watching, and waiting to launch your subscription box? You have an idea, and you’ve taken some steps toward turning those dreams into reality, but something is holding you back. What if you could test your subscription box idea with your target audience without committing to a full-blown launch? No…
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Ever wondered how to secure a reliable virtual assistant who won't vanish after a few weeks? In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I explain how to hire top-tier VAs that will stick with your company for the long haul. From crafting detailed job descriptions to treating VAs with the same respect as full-time employees, you’ll gain access to …
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Katie did something I didn’t think was possible. She silenced a large group of creative women - subscription box entrepreneurs - with one statement. I posed a question to my SubSummit workshop attendees about ad spend. Katie’s drop the mic response was that she reached 6-figures in subscription box revenue with a $300 marketing budget. Katie Sager …
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In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I share simple Facebook ad creative tips that can help you get more people signed up for your box. I firmly believe that small tweaks can lead to big positive changes in your advertising. This episode is divided into two parts: Video Tips: I share strategies for creating effective video ads. Image Tips: …
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One of the most important aspects of our subscription box is the products we put inside it. Whether you’re brand new to business or an experienced subscription box owner, finding the right products at the right prices can be challenging. Where do you start? What about when you begin to grow? How do you buy in bulk? Before you start shopping, you wi…
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In this Subscription Box Answers episode, I'm explaining the strategy behind the current bundle offer we're running at BusterBox, where new subscribers get £253 in free gifts. I received a great question this week from someone who wanted to know how we make the finances work when running an offer like this. I'll break this down in detail and share …
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Three launches in three months to three different audiences. Yep, I did that. As always, there were lessons to be learned from each launch. What surprised me is that three of those lessons were the same for all three launches! That’s a lot of “3”s! So let me break it down. In late April and early May, I launched The Monogram Box™, my curated subscr…
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In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I am sitting down with Courtney Hubbard, the Operations Manager for BoxUp. BoxUp specializes in providing custom boxes for various subscription box companies. Courtney shares her advice on creating the perfect custom box to make your brand stand out and explains how their service works. If you want to pl…
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How many different ways do you do an unboxing for your subscription box every month? Would it surprise you to learn there are FIVE different ways you can do an unboxing… every month? My box opening checklist makes it easy! Building connections. Creating excitement and FOMO. Growing your waitlist. Gaining new subscribers. There are so many reasons y…
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📌 New here? Start at episode 1 and binge over 220 episodes! 🫶 In this bittersweet episode, we announce the sunset of the Subscription Box Basics podcast after an amazing 4.5 years. Reflecting on our journey, we discuss the seasons of change in both life and business, and encourage listeners to embrace pivots when necessary. 🎉 Celebrate milestones t…
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On this episode of Subscription Box Answers, I explain how you can use the Reply Yes process to grow your subscription box by reactivating canceled subscribers. This is a great way to lower your CAC, increase revenue, and boost your subscriber numbers. We have been testing this in BusterBox for the last few months and have successfully reactivated …
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“20% of your customer base generates 80% of your revenue.” - Sarah Williams Identifying your ideal customer is not something you do once. It’s something you need to tweak and get clearer about in your business on a daily basis. In this episode, I’m talking about how to figure out who the 20% of your customers are who are responsible for 80% of your…
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In this episode of Subscription Box Basics, Julie welcomes professional photographer Becca Bond, who shares valuable tips and insights on how to capture stunning images using simple tools and techniques. Becca discusses her journey into subscription box photography and introduces her new course, Snap for Success, which aims to help entrepreneurs el…
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What if you could transform your Q4 sales strategy and achieve record-breaking profits for your subscription box business? In this episode of Subscription Box Answers, Liam Brennan revisits one of the most impactful tactics from earlier this year, the "Reply Yes" process, which has been a revenue game-changer for BusterBox and many other companies …
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In this episode, I’m going deeper into lead magnets and showing you how to build a lead magnet funnel. Top of the funnel -this is the largest part of the funnel. Your goal is to collect as many leads as possible. Start with a free offer, giving your audience something of value. Freebie or low-dollar lead magnet. Ads to targeted interests going to c…
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Wondering what software you should use to run your subscription box business? Or maybe looking to switch as your business needs change? We got your answer in today's episode where Julie interview Stefan, founder of Subbly. Subbly is an all-in-one commerce platform allowing you to launch, run, and grow any subscription business model: sub boxes, sub…
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Ever wondered how you can turn a passion for self-care into a thriving business? Meet Lo Hixson, the inspiring founder of Passion and Growth, who transitioned from being an ER nurse to a successful entrepreneur. Lo shares her journey of overcoming personal challenges with self-perception and how it led her to launch a subscription box aimed at boos…
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Two busy moms with six kids between them became best friends, bought a Cricut machine to start making custom t-shirts, and now have more than 800 monthly subscribers to their T-Shirt Club. Of course, there’s a little more to the story than that! If you’re feeling stuck in your subscription box journey, this episode will inspire you. Andrea and Whit…
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