Sarah Wells Bags and Amazon Shipping
How reduced shipping rates
created growth for Sarah Wells Bags
Sarah Wells started her career in public policy. She was working to advance changes on Capitol Hill when she became a first-time mother. She quickly found that bringing the equipment she needed to pump
and store breast milk was inconvenient in the best of circumstances — and others took notice. “I would
meet people who would tease me about it ruthlessly, or other moms who said ‘ugh I wish there was a
better way to do this, to carry this, while meeting my breastfeeding goals.” Wells continued, “I felt the
gear I carried with me for breastfeeding should match my polish and professionalism, let alone fit in one
bag.” This experience led Wells to found Sarah Wells Bags in 2013.
and store breast milk was inconvenient in the best of circumstances — and others took notice. “I would
meet people who would tease me about it ruthlessly, or other moms who said ‘ugh I wish there was a
better way to do this, to carry this, while meeting my breastfeeding goals.” Wells continued, “I felt the
gear I carried with me for breastfeeding should match my polish and professionalism, let alone fit in one
bag.” This experience led Wells to found Sarah Wells Bags in 2013.
Keeping prices low amid rising costs
Business critical functions including warehousing, graphic design, and shipping rates had been affected
by increasing costs following the pandemic. Heidi Fisher, director of operations for Sarah Wells Bags, has
always kept a watchful eye on shipping rates and regularly negotiated rates with carriers. Yet, it began
to feel like shipping rates were no longer a place to find savings. According to Fisher, “we had been able
to negotiate the absolute best rates we are ever going to get.” They began searching for another carrier
option and found Amazon Shipping.
by increasing costs following the pandemic. Heidi Fisher, director of operations for Sarah Wells Bags, has
always kept a watchful eye on shipping rates and regularly negotiated rates with carriers. Yet, it began
to feel like shipping rates were no longer a place to find savings. According to Fisher, “we had been able
to negotiate the absolute best rates we are ever going to get.” They began searching for another carrier
option and found Amazon Shipping.
Lower rates = delighted customers
“Amazon Shipping came in 30% less than the very best rates we could negotiate,” recalls Wells. The
decision to try Amazon Shipping was easy for two reasons. “The money is one reason, because we’re
trying not to pass too much of the cost onto the customer. The second part is that we have a nearly 10-
year relationship with our third-party warehouse.” Wells appreciates that Amazon Shipping gave them
the flexibility to continue to work with the warehouse, a small local business.
decision to try Amazon Shipping was easy for two reasons. “The money is one reason, because we’re
trying not to pass too much of the cost onto the customer. The second part is that we have a nearly 10-
year relationship with our third-party warehouse.” Wells appreciates that Amazon Shipping gave them
the flexibility to continue to work with the warehouse, a small local business.
Shipping software integrations make work easier
Sarah Wells Bags and their warehouse have used a third-party label printing for several years. Launching
Amazon Shipping was smooth since the ground shipping service connects directly with their Order
Management System. Fisher said, “the warehouse didn’t have to change anything. They knew what to
do. It was a really quick implementation.”
Thinking back on introducing Amazon Shipping to the warehouse, she says the warehouse wanted to avoid “a lot of nuance.” Fisher says, “If there is, there are labor costs passed back to us.” This risk is reduced because Amazon Shipping was able to integrate with an Order Management system that the warehouse is familiar with.
Amazon Shipping was smooth since the ground shipping service connects directly with their Order
Management System. Fisher said, “the warehouse didn’t have to change anything. They knew what to
do. It was a really quick implementation.”
Thinking back on introducing Amazon Shipping to the warehouse, she says the warehouse wanted to avoid “a lot of nuance.” Fisher says, “If there is, there are labor costs passed back to us.” This risk is reduced because Amazon Shipping was able to integrate with an Order Management system that the warehouse is familiar with.
Growth and giving back
Sarah Wells Bags has expanded globally, and is now participating in philanthropic efforts including the
support of milk banks including Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast and Mother’s Milk Bank Austin — which
provide milk to mothers who may not be able to supply their own. The company was able to ensure that
savings on shipping rates didn’t just help maintain day-to-day operations but was reinvested in product
development and cost savings they passed along to customers. “That’s a huge success,” Wells says.
support of milk banks including Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast and Mother’s Milk Bank Austin — which
provide milk to mothers who may not be able to supply their own. The company was able to ensure that
savings on shipping rates didn’t just help maintain day-to-day operations but was reinvested in product
development and cost savings they passed along to customers. “That’s a huge success,” Wells says.
Your business can tap into the same experience as Sarah Wells Bags.
Get started by signing up for Amazon Shipping to get your shipping rates.
© 2024 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved