The Sourcing Gals

Erin Souder and Jackie Hutson
  • 5.0 (10)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

From idea to inventory 📦 Your trusted guides for sourcing, manufacturing, and scaling your product overseas. Hosted by industry experts Erin and Jackie, we help female founders launch product-based businesses without the overwhelm using our proven Smart Start Method™. Each week, we break down: ✦ Sourcing strategies that save you time and money ✦ Manufacturing insights from real-world experience ✦ Profit-boosting tactics for product brands ✦ Founder stories and unfiltered lessons learned Ready to Dig in Further? https://www.thesourcinggals.com/social

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 55: Why Your Costs Keep Going Up (And What To Do About It)

    If your factory just came back with higher pricing… you’re not alone. In this episode, Erin and Jackie break down why product costs go up — and why they almost never come back down. From raw material spikes and global events to inflation, labor increases, and supply chain shifts, they explain what’s actually driving these changes (and why it’s not personal). More importantly, they walk through what you can do about it — from material swaps and construction changes to pricing strategy, margin planning, and how to have smarter conversations with your factory. If you’re building a product-based business, this is a reality you will face. The goal isn’t to avoid it — it’s to understand it and manage it strategically.

    30 min

  2. APR 1

    Episode 54: How to Nail Your First Bulk Manufacturing Order (Without Losing Money)

    Have you ever placed your first bulk order and wondered if you were doing it right? In this episode, Erin and Jackie break down what it really means to “nail” your first production run — and why it’s not about going big, moving fast, or maximizing profit right out of the gate. Instead, your first bulk order should be treated as a test-and-learn phase — one that validates your product, your factory, your customer, and your entire business model before you scale. From sampling mistakes to inventory overload, margin missteps to missed quality checks, they walk through exactly how to approach your first order in a way that protects your cash, builds confidence, and sets you up for long-term success. If you’re about to place your first PO (or thinking about it), this episode will save you time, money, and a lot of stress.

    34 min

  3. MAR 25

    Episode 53: From Concept to Production: How We Help Founders Launch Products

    What started as a podcast has turned into something much bigger. In this episode, Erin and Jackie pull back the curtain on how The Sourcing Gals evolved from education to a full-service product development agency — and the unexpected pivots that got them there. Over the past year, they’ve tested, tinkered, and refined their business model in real time — from launching digital courses, to consulting, to building a done-for-you “Gold Glove” service that helps founders bring products to life. They share what worked, what didn’t, and the key insight that changed everything: founders don’t just need information — they need execution. If you’ve ever wondered how to evolve your business, follow demand, or build something scalable from scratch, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at exactly how it happens.

    33 min

  4. MAR 18

    Episode 52: The 3 Rooms That Can Change Your Business and Your Life

    Have you ever walked into a room and immediately thought, I don’t belong here? In this episode, Erin and Jackie explore the idea that the rooms you choose to enter can shape your business, confidence, and future more than almost anything else. They break down the three types of rooms that can change your trajectory: the Learning Room, the Collaboration Room, and the Courage Room. Each one plays a different role in personal and professional growth — from expanding your knowledge, to building powerful relationships, to doing the uncomfortable things that push you into your next level. Through personal stories and real-life examples, Erin and Jackie share how stepping into the right rooms has shaped their careers, opened unexpected opportunities, and helped them grow both personally and professionally. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong somewhere — this episode might just be the sign that you’re exactly where you need to be.

    38 min

  5. MAR 11

    Episode 51: When to Pick Up the Phone with Your Manufacturer

    Most founders default to email for efficiency—and it works for day-to-day operations. But written communication keeps relationships transactional, while voice builds the trust and rapport that gets you through challenges and unlocks better terms. This episode breaks down exactly when to pick up the phone with your manufacturer, how to use calls strategically (not constantly), and what you can achieve when you shift from transactional to relational. If you've been hesitant to call because you're not quick on your feet, Erin shares why that's actually okay—and when it's worth doing it anyway.

    33 min

  6. MAR 4

    Episode 50: Build a Brand or License Your Idea? The Decision Framework

    Most product founders assume they need to build a full brand around their idea—Instagram handle, website, inventory management, the works. But if you've developed patented technology or a proprietary component, there's another path: licensing your IP to established brands with existing distribution channels. This approach lets you leverage your invention without the overhead of building a consumer-facing business. The key is understanding when licensing makes sense and how to structure deals that protect your technology while creating ongoing royalty streams.

    31 min

  7. FEB 25

    Episode 49: When to Push Back on Factory Pricing (And When Not To)

    Most founders fight over nickels at 500 units—but that aggressive negotiation could cost them thousands when they land their first wholesale account. The truth is, factories are investing in you at low MOQs, absorbing sample fees and setup costs with the hope you'll scale. Push too hard too early, and you'll burn your trump card when you actually need it. This episode breaks down exactly when to negotiate pricing and when to hold back—based on decades of experience launching products at Abercrombie & Fitch and working with factories worldwide.

    37 min

  8. FEB 18

    Episode 48: 10 Books That Completely Changed How We Build & Scale Businesses

    Most product-based founders read business books but don't apply them strategically. Erin and Jackie share how specific books transformed their manufacturing approach, client relationships, and daily operations—from hiring offshore help for the cost of a Starbucks to structuring businesses for scale. These aren't theoretical concepts; they're frameworks both founders actively use to avoid costly mistakes and build sustainable brands.

    43 min
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Trailer

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out of 5
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About

From idea to inventory 📦 Your trusted guides for sourcing, manufacturing, and scaling your product overseas. Hosted by industry experts Erin and Jackie, we help female founders launch product-based businesses without the overwhelm using our proven Smart Start Method™. Each week, we break down: ✦ Sourcing strategies that save you time and money ✦ Manufacturing insights from real-world experience ✦ Profit-boosting tactics for product brands ✦ Founder stories and unfiltered lessons learned Ready to Dig in Further? https://www.thesourcinggals.com/social

Information

  • Creator
    Erin Souder and Jackie Hutson
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Erin Souder and Jackie Hutson
  • Show Website
    The Sourcing Gals

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