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Not every DTC brand makes it to a successful exit—but QALO did. Starting with a bootstrapped operation and a mission to create a safer alternative to traditional wedding rings, QALO built a premium brand in a highly competitive space. Their commitment to quality, strong community, and ability to innovate set them apart. That’s why WIN Brands Group saw the opportunity and acquired QALO. What made QALO an attractive acquisition? ✅ Strong brand identity – Quality, Athletics, Love, and Outdoors wasn’t just a name—it was a movement ✅ Resilient supply chain – Scalable manufacturing and high-quality materials gave them an edge ✅ Differentiation in a crowded market – They stayed premium while competitors raced to the bottom ✅ Innovation beyond the core product – Expanding into health-tracking tech with QRNT “You should never have to choose between your own safety and comfort, and showing your commitment to the one you love.” QALO built a brand that stood for something—and that’s what made them valuable. If you’re scaling a DTC brand, think beyond the product—build something worth acquiring. 🎧 Hear the full story on Ecommerce On Tap: https://buff.ly/4dAxz4y #DTC #eCommerce #BrandBuilding #Acquisition #MergersAndAcquisitions #QALO #WinBrandsGroup

💸 Scaling Can Get Expensive FAST 💸 One of the biggest mistakes growing businesses make? Not understanding their true supply chain costs. ✅ Warehousing – Is your storage cost-efficient, or are you overpaying? ✅ Shipping – Are you tracking hidden fees like expedited freight and delays? ✅ Labor – As you grow, are your fulfillment costs rising faster than revenue? If you’re scaling without full cost visibility, you’re setting yourself up for shrinking margins. Track every cost, optimize operations, and keep profitability top of mind. What’s the biggest hidden cost that surprised you while scaling? 👇 #Profitability #SupplyChainOptimization #ScalingRight #CostControl

The key to implementing AI successfully isn’t replacing people—it’s empowering them. As Parabola CEO Alex Yaseen puts it: 👉 “General-purpose AI, while technically impressive, is not a solution to lots of business problems… Magic happens when in-the-weeds folks who know their processes back and forth can collaborate with AI.” Instead of using AI to replace expertise, use it to free up your team from tedious, manual tasks like: ✅ Inventory management ✅ PO processing ✅ Data reconciliation Companies that fail to adapt AI into their workflows will struggle to keep up. Don’t get left behind. What’s one repetitive task in your business you’d love to automate? 🤔 #AIinBusiness #Automation #ScalingSmart #SupplyChainTechnology

🚨 5 Signs Your Startup is Struggling to Scale 🚨 Scaling a startup isn’t just about growing revenue—it’s about growing efficiently. If you’re experiencing these challenges, it might be time to rethink your operations: 1️⃣ Frequent stockouts OR too much inventory 📦 2️⃣ Relying on expensive air freight too often ✈️ 3️⃣ No clear quality control (QC) process ⚠️ 4️⃣ Overwhelmed team always in “firefighting mode” 🔥 5️⃣ Struggling to transition from MOQ to tiered orders 📊 These are early warning signs that your business isn’t scaling as effectively as it should. Want to learn how to fix them? Read our latest blog: https://buff.ly/4huuTbu #Startups #ScalingUp #BusinessGrowth #SupplyChain #Ecommerce

Tech stacks for ops and supply chain professionals are notoriously enigmatic and confusing. That’s why our friends at Parabola are launching a survey to chart the tech brands are using to power their supply chains, and they would love to hear from YOU on what tools you’re using, how your tech strategy is evolving, and your tech predictions for the rest of the year. The findings will be published in a report — and if you fill out the survey, you’ll be the first to get a copy. This report is going to be a huge asset for teams who: Are curious what other companies of their size are using for mission-critical tools like their WMS, ERP, workflow automation platform, and much more? Want to know how other brands are approaching AI — and what the biggest holdups are in AI planning and adoption? Have a feeling that their tech stack isn’t quite working for them but are unsure why? Need tooling recommendations across the board? Fill it out here:

🚨 Long-Term Strategy: Removing Functional Silos for Better Tariff Response 🚨 The new tariffs are forcing companies to think beyond the obvious. Izba believes the next big shift is in breaking down functional silos across departments to enable a smarter, faster response to tariffs and trade policy changes. 🔑 What’s the strategy? Cross-Functional Collaboration: It’s no longer just a small team handling tariffs and customs compliance. Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, and Innovation teams need to be well-versed in the impact of tariff changes—not just on costs, but on product development and market positioning. Integrated Business Planning: Brands need to develop strong Product Development and Integrated Business Planning processes that can adapt quickly and efficiently to new information. Having a proactive, cross-functional team will give you the agility to respond to changes in trade policy and tariffs effectively. 👉 How are you breaking down silos in your organization? Let’s connect and discuss how integrated planning can help your business stay competitive. #TariffStrategy #CrossFunctionalTeams #BusinessPlanning #SupplyChainOptimization #Ecommerce #Izba #BusinessStrategy

🚨 How to Navigate New Tariffs with Smart Pricing Strategies 🚨 The new tariffs are hitting companies hard, but Izba is here to help you stay competitive. With prices increasing, understanding your Price Sensitivity is more crucial than ever. 🔍 Here’s how we can help: Benchmark Competitors: Track how your competitors’ prices are changing and adjust your pricing accordingly. Customer Elasticity: Review past pricing changes to understand how sensitive your customers are to price increases. This insight can guide your pricing strategy going forward. Margin Protection: Use this opportunity to fix margins with retailers or across channels, and, if necessary, explain the impact of the tariffs. Staying ahead of your competitors means being agile. Izba helps you navigate the complexities of this new tariff landscape with pricing strategies that keep your brand competitive. 👉 How are you adjusting your pricing strategy in response to new tariffs? Let’s talk! #TariffStrategy #PriceSensitivity #PricingStrategy #SupplyChainOptimization #Ecommerce #InflationManagement #Izba #BusinessAdaptation

🚨 NEW IZBA OFFERING!!! We are now taking on clients looking to find the best egg prices in their local markets. DM for interest *we take 100% of savings and eggs*

🚨 The End of the De Minimus Loophole: What Does It Mean for Your Imports? 🚨 With the Executive Orders (EOs) signed on February 1, 2025, the De Minimus loophole has been closed for shipments originating from or shipping through China, Mexico, and Canada. Here’s what you need to know: What Does This Mean? No more $800 exemption: All shipments from these countries, regardless of value, are now subject to the new 25% tariff. Previously, goods worth under $800 would be exempt from tariffs under the De Minimus rule—now, all shipments are taxed. Key Examples: Goods from Vietnam shipping from Mexico to the USA → 25% tariff (since shipping from Mexico). Goods from Mexico shipping from the Dominican Republic to the USA → 25% tariff (Country of origin is Mexico). Goods from Morocco shipping to the USA → No additional tariffs (the $800 De Minimus rule still applies). What This Means for Business: Ecommerce and import-heavy businesses may see major disruptions as costs rise, with companies like Shein and Temu potentially facing significant challenges in the coming months. For businesses relying on these loopholes, closing or rethinking their models may be a reality as they grapple with increased costs and tariffs. What’s Next? If your products are coming from China, Mexico, or Canada, brace for changes to your pricing and logistics. Consider reevaluating supply chains, alternative sourcing options, and even pricing strategies as these new tariffs impact bottom lines. Are you feeling the pressure from these changes? Let’s talk about how to navigate the evolving trade landscape! #SupplyChain #Tariffs #DeMinimus #TradePolicy #Ecommerce #GlobalTrade #Logistics #BusinessStrategy

With the latest tariff changes disrupting global trade, brands need a game plan to protect their margins and supply chain. From tariff engineering to supplier diversification, now is the time to take action. We’ve put together a one-pager on responding to new tariffs—covering key strategies like: ✅ Benchmarking costs & adjusting pricing ✅ Exploring alternative sourcing & manufacturing locations ✅ Leveraging free trade agreements to reduce impact ✅ Strengthening supplier & fulfillment relationships 💡 Download it now and make informed, strategic decisions for your business. #SupplyChain #Tariffs #RespondingToNewTariffs #Manufacturing #CPG #GlobalTrade #Ecommerce #Logistics