#pmsandpals

This week felt like the true “behind the scenes” of building a PMS subscription box - equal parts excitement, spreadsheets, snack sampling (the best part), and asking myself, “Is this too many comfort items?” (Spoiler: you can never have too many.)

What’s new this week?

I’ve been experimenting with a few new add-ins for upcoming boxes - things like cozy self-care items, new snack varieties, and comfort goodies that genuinely feel like a little hug delivered to your door. There’s something really satisfying about curating a box that I know someone will open on a day when everything feels like too much. I want PMS & Pals to feel like:

“Here. This is for you. You deserve comfort, even on the messy days.”

Collaboration moment:

My friend with the Cricut and I have officially started brainstorming custom items just for the subscription boxes - things like personalized stickers, mini comfort cards, and small reusable goodies.

The goal: make the boxes feel extra special without blowing up the cost. It's taking off to a great start.

What’s been challenging?

Time management continues to humble me. Subscription boxes are magical, but they also require planning, pricing, budgeting, and a surprising number of decisions about chocolate-to-tea ratios.

I’m also learning that every time I add or redesign a product, I have to rework the budget. A lot. Boxes are basically little puzzle pieces of costs, comfort, and creativity - and I’m still figuring out the best formula.

What’s keeping me encouraged?

The small wins.

A repeat customer.

A kind message.

Someone saying the box made their week a little easier.

Those moments remind me why I’m doing this - PMS & Pals is more than a subscription box. It’s a tiny act of care that shows up on your doorstep when you need comfort the most.

What am I learning about myself?

That I really love creating things that make people feel seen.

That even on overwhelming days, I’m drawn back to this project because it genuinely matters to me.

And that maybe I’m more capable than I let myself believe.

It’s been another interesting week building PMS & Pals, and honestly, I’m starting to see the project shift from just an idea into something that feels real and tangible. There were a few small wins, a couple of challenges, and lots of learning in between - so here’s where I’m at right now.

What's working?

One of the biggest highlights this week was having a repeat customer. That alone made me feel like I’m on the right track - it’s one thing for someone to try a product once, but having them come back says I’m doing something right. I also connected with a friend who makes personalized items with her Cricut, and she’s interested in teaming up. The best part? She’s willing to make custom pieces for me at only the cost of supplies, which could really expand my product options without stretching my budget.

What's not working?

Time management is still a challenge (shocker). Between school, parenting, and just life in general, finding consistent time to work on the business isn’t easy. I’m also noticing that every time I add a new idea or product style, I end up rethinking pricing and budgeting all over again. It’s a lot of trial and error, and sometimes it feels messy - but I’m figuring it out little by little.

How do I feel the project is coming along?

Honestly, I feel encouraged. These small wins (even tiny ones) make me feel like PMS & Pals is growing in the right direction. Every week the vision becomes clearer, and I’m starting to really see the personality of the brand taking shape. Supportive, comforting, a little funny, and very human - that’s the heart of it.

What am I learning about running a business?

That it’s a lot more than just having a cute idea. There’s branding, marketing, budgeting, customer relationships, planning ahead, and learning to pivot when something doesn’t work. I’m learning how important it is to keep track of costs, think about sustainability, and explore collaborations that make sense. Small details and small decisions add up fast.

What am I learning about myself?

It’s been another busy week with PMS & Pals, and I feel like I’m finally starting to see my idea take shape in a real way. There have definitely been some wins and a few growing pains along the way, but I’m learning so much from the process.

What’s working:

People are genuinely responding well to the idea of PMS & Pals. I’ve gotten positive feedback about the concept, and it’s helping me feel more confident that there’s a real need for this. I’ve also been getting better at organizing my ideas and figuring out what I want the brand’s personality to feel like - supportive, fun, and empowering.

What’s not working:

Time management and consistency have been tricky. Between school, parenting, and everything else in life, it’s hard to dedicate the kind of focused time I’d like to this project. I’ve also realized that budgeting and pricing things out properly is more complicated than I expected. It’s been a bit of trial and error, but I’m slowly learning how to adjust without feeling discouraged.

How I feel about the project:

Overall, I feel proud. It’s not perfect, but it’s real - and that feels amazing. The more I work on it, the more I can picture what PMS & Pals could grow into. I love the message behind it and how it can create connection and comfort for people during a time that’s often overlooked or joked about.

What I’m learning about running a business:

I’m realizing how much behind-the-scenes work goes into even the smallest venture. It’s about way more than just having a cute idea - it’s about branding, marketing, budgeting, and being adaptable when things don’t go as planned. I’ve also learned that small details really do matter, especially when it comes to how you make customers feel.

What I'm learning about myself:

Starting PMS & Pals with just $50 has been a fun challenge, but I’m already thinking ahead about how I’d grow it beyond that small start-up fund. Right now, I’ve been creative with what I have - repurposing packaging, sourcing affordable materials, and building sample boxes from products I already own. But to scale up, I’d eventually need a little more financial backing.

If I were to take PMS & Pals forward, I’d likely consider a microloan or small business grant, especially those focused on women entrepreneurs or wellness-based start-ups. I want to stay as independent as possible, so I’d prefer not to take on heavy debt or big investors too early. A microloan or community grant would give me enough to buy supplies in bulk, create branded packaging, and maybe even set up an online shop.

The BDC article, “4 Factors That Could Affect Financing Your Start-Up,” really made me think about how lenders look at things like personal credit, cash flow, industry risk, and experience. Since PMS & Pals is in the self-care and subscription box space, lenders might see it as a higher-risk, low-margin industry at first - which is why I’d build a solid track record of small local sales and customer feedback before applying for anything bigger.

PMS & Pals is all about comfort, care, and a little humor during those rough PMS or period days. Each box will include things like essential oils, tea, chocolate, and other self-care treats - meant to soothe, lift moods, and remind people to take a little time for themselves.

Product Sourcing

I’m already in the process of making sample boxes and have most of the products on hand. The only thing left is to buy period supplies in bulk - likely through Amazon or Costco depending on sales and variety. Once that’s done, I’ll start offering sample boxes and exploring partnerships with local brands for items or store advertising.

Operations

Right now, it’s just me running PMS & Pals - from creating and packaging boxes to managing social media and deliveries. If it grows, I’d love to collaborate with local artisans or small wellness brands.

Licenses & Tools

No special licenses are needed at this point, but I’ll make sure everything is safely labeled and sourced. To launch, I mainly need packaging materials, bulk supplies, and a simple way to process payments.