What happens when you combine creativity, consistency, and the courage to start before you feel ready? This week on the Launch Your Box podcast, I sat down with Kelli Blouin, founder of Minutes of Zen, to talk about her incredible journey from elementary school teacher to subscription box owner with more than 425 subscribers, all in just a few short months. But what makes Kelli’s story especially powerful is how she got there. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “ready” to launch your subscription box, this episode is one you need to hear. How a Cancer Diagnosis Changed Everything Kelli spent 25 years as an elementary school teacher, balancing work, family life, and all the responsibilities that come with both. But after a breast cancer diagnosis forced her to slow down and reevaluate what mattered most, she began leaning into creativity and calming activities that helped her heal and reconnect with herself. That journey eventually led her to become certified in the Zentangle Method, a meditative style of drawing designed to promote relaxation and mindfulness. Like so many people during COVID, Kelli started sharing what she loved online. She taught calming drawing sessions virtually, created YouTube videos at her audience’s request, and slowly built a community of people who connected with both her creativity and her calming presence. At first, she wasn’t trying to build a business. She was simply serving people. And that’s exactly where so many successful subscription box businesses begin. The “Accidental” Business That Wasn’t Really an Accident As Kelli’s audience grew, people started asking questions. So Kelli began putting together small seasonal kits a few times a year, selling 20 or 30 at a time to her growing audience. Without realizing it, Kelli was listening to her audience and creating offers based on what they were already asking for. The Moment Everything Shifted Then Kelli discovered Launch Your Box. After listening to this podcast, reading my book, One Box at a Time, and attending Subscription Box Week, Kelli started asking herself a question she’d never seriously considered before: What if this could become more than a side hustle? Eventually, with support from her husband, she decided to take a year and truly treat Minutes of Zen like a business instead of a hobby. Why “Do It Messy” Matters One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is Kelli’s honesty about how imperfect everything still is. And yet, she has over 425 subscribers. That’s the reminder so many aspiring subscription box owners need. You do not have to have everything perfectly figured out before you launch. Building a Subscription Box Around Experience Kelli intentionally wanted the box to feel calming, supportive, and immersive, not just like another box of “stuff.” That experience-first mindset helped her create something subscribers genuinely connect with. It’s also a great reminder that your subscription box doesn’t have to be complicated to be valuable. Sometimes the simplest ideas become the most meaningful. Her First Launch Brought in 300 Subscribers Kelli originally hoped for 100 subscribers during her first launch. She ended up with 300. She focused on: Building an email list Growing a waitlist Showing up consistently Talking about the box repeatedly Serving her audience long before selling to them And perhaps most importantly, she stopped worrying about “bothering” people by talking about her offer too much. A Business That’s Changing Her Life Kelli shared that her early side-hustle income paid for an Alaskan cruise for her and her husband’s 30th anniversary. Now, her business is helping support her family even more. And perhaps most importantly, she’s created something that gives her freedom. The Advice Every Aspiring Subscription Box Owner Needs to Hear At the end of the episode, Kelli shares the advice she would give anyone feeling stuck or afraid to start: “Show up. And then show up again.” That consistency is what changed everything for her. Not perfection, expensive tools, or having it all figured out. Just continuing to show up, serve people, and keep going. Kelli’s story is proof that you don’t need a perfect website, perfect branding, or perfect confidence to begin. You just need the willingness to start. Listen to this week’s episode of the Launch Your Box podcast and get inspired by Kelli’s incredible journey from teacher to thriving subscription box owner. Where to find Kelli: Minutes of Zen on Facebook Inventory Genius on Instagram Minutes of Zen Website Minutes of Zen on YouTube Join me in all the places: Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!
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32 mins