FanPack: Behind the Box that Gives When You Get
FanPack is a brand new subscription box on the block. They just launched March 2014. This quarterly subscription service offers celebrity-curated shipments while supporting charities around the world. Listen in as I ask founder David Horne about this new option.
What made you decide to start a subscription box service?
Several years ago I thought it would be cool if there was a site where fans could get curated stuff from their favorite icons on a regular basis.
How did you choose your subscription niche?
I started by asking, “Would I be a customer of this?” When I hit upon something I wish had already existed, I knew I had found a niche. After all, we’re all fans of someone or some thing.
Do you work out of your home or an offsite location?
Mostly home. There are four of us in Greensboro NC, one in San Francisco CA, and one in New Bern NC. The web team is local so we try to co-work together at least once a week. We also use Google Hangouts and UberConference for weekly stand-ups.
How long did it take between idea and official launch?
As I alluded to earlier, the initial idea began in 2010, but the timing wasn’t right. Last October (2013) it came back. In November we started working on it and launched in March. So, 5 months.
How do you source the products that will be included each month?
Our issues are shipped every quarter. We work with our contributors to choose items their fans will love. We then go out, find the products and put the packages together.
What marketing avenues do you use to get the word out? Any memorable successes or failures?
We’re a little too green to have any big wins or losses, but we collaborate with our contributors to promote their FanPacks. We also use email, social media and content marketing. Of course, outreach like this is great.
What was your biggest surprise – good or bad – with your new business?
I’ve started several service related businesses and the production aspects are different from product related businesses. Launching FanPack, and dealing with logistics, fulfillment and all the details of products sent through the mail has been educational and time consuming.
What would you change if you had to start over?
Not much at this point. I probably would have started it back in 2010. There’s no such thing as a perfect time, and looking back on it, launching then would have started the learning process sooner.
Where do you see your business five years from now? Any changes in the works?
In five years, we’d like to see FanPack making a big impact on causes doing good around the world through connecting fans with their favorite celebrities.
Changes? Everyday. We are adding new contributors and content to the site. Also, we’ll be launching some themed FanPacks for fans of certain interests like golf, or their home state.
Thanks David, for the interview! You can use this link to receive $5 off your first issue. If you have already had the chance to try this sub, please share your experience in the comments!
