2025 so far + What's coming next

Hey folks,

It's 2AM writing this on a red-eye to Nevada.

January's already wild, but this cross-border situation just took it to another level.

Quick reality check: We're moving a dozen key brands to our US facilities in the next 15 days with this tariff stuff.

Plus emergency onboarding several brands from other 3PLs who need US warehouses ASAP.

On top of that, we're about to launch our biggest Seller Fulfilled Prime customer yet (think 100,000 orders/month). Our new cold storage facility just went live in Alabama. And we're on a massive hiring spree to support all this growth.

When it rains, it pours. But this is what we built for.

Now, let me catch you up on everything else…

FOUNDER EVENT: WE SOLD OUT (AGAIN)

Remember our last event with Jake Karls?

This one's even bigger. We've got Hyla from 437, the Three Ships founders, and the Monday Girl team all in one room.

Plus some special guests who I can't name yet.

Why this matters? In times like these, Canadian entrepreneurs need to stick together.

Share what works.

Build something special at home.

Quick stats:

• 100 spots (intentionally intimate)

• Downtown Toronto

• Personal brand, building community, cross-border conversations and DTC growth

Added 20 last-minute spots because the waitlist is insane.

Want in? DM me or join the waitlist here:

https://partiful.com/e/7Yu5cTxfFluhyBZKCWCo

p.s. a huge shout out to our partner sponsor Loop Financial and venue sponsor Perpetua

SELLED FULFILLED PRIME FULL SPEED

We’ve been working on going live for our biggest customer for 2-day Seller Fulfilled Prime.

Basically, instead of using Amazon, they are using us - but keeping the prime badge….yes, we can do that.

We're talking:

• ~105,000 orders per month when ramped up

• 31% savings compared to FBA (they are oversized)

• 5 warehouses activated w/ 6-day fulfillment

Heading to Atlanta next week to watch the first shipments roll out.

This has been months in the making and I’m SO excited to see them up and running.

IT’S GETTING COLD

January's launch is already exceeding expectations. Our Alabama facility just went live, and here's what we're seeing:

Real numbers:

• 4 merchants signed

• 1 more onboarding next week

• 10+ major publication features (Forbes is insane…)

• 40+ inbound leads or so

Its super early stage, but seeing a ton of demand from CPG brands (chocolates, probiotics, supplements…etc)

LINKEDIN FINALLY CLICKING

After years of posting into the void, something's shifted.

Getting viral posts weekly, all organic.

That Prime Hydration callout? Led to more inbound leads than any paid campaign we've ever run.

A few weeks ago, I made a post that did 100,000+ impressions.

Debating boosting my top performing posts with some paid ads, but there's something special about organic growth.

We'll see….

THE LOSSES (KEEPING IT REAL)

This one stings. Lost a major apparel brand RFP last week (around 400,000 orders per month)

We had everything they needed: USA, Canada and Europe. It would’ve been perfect.

Made it to the final three, toured them through our facility, whole proposal process - but timing wasn't on our side.

They went with one of the big 3PLs, mainly because their founder had deeper relationships there.

These are the ones that keep you up at night.

But ce la vie - learn and move on.

HIRING HEADACHES

Here's something I wish I did differently: Hiring a recruiter earlier.

We're paying big fees now (It cost anywhere from 10-30% of first year salary), but the quality and speed? Worth every penny.

Currently trying to backfill 5-6 key roles, all operational. Everything else is on hold because this is the priority.

Our brands deserve the best experience, and that starts with having the right team.

Big learning: What got us here (LinkedIn posts, my DMs, personal relationships and Indeed for hiring people) won't get us to $100M.

Need to think differently.

WORLD TOUR CONTINUES

February's looking busy:

• Columbus (11th & 15th) - New warehouse tours

• DTC 4 Toronto (12th) - Founder event

• Chicago (TBD) - Client meetings

• Salt Lake City (TBD) - New market expansion

March highlight: Sponsoring THE dinner at Expo West. 400+ CPG brands at Morton's Steakhouse.

If you're in the CPG space, this is the event you can't miss.

Here's the link to rsvp: https://partiful.com/e/u7M7kZuefAhiqoI5PfWT

REFLECTION

Some days are harder than others. Growth isn't linear. Hiring is challenging. But man, I wouldn't trade this for anything.

Every morning I wake up excited. Every warehouse tour reminds me why we started this. Every brand win feels like our win.

To everyone building something meaningful: Keep pushing.

P.S. Want to connect on the road? Reply with your city - I'll make time.