GROWTH STORY
3PL was eating 26% of profits; then she saved $19,000 and took back control
BookBeau at a glance:
3PL costing 26% of profits; improper packaging damaging customer experience; no inventory visibility
In-house fulfillment with daily shipping pickups, all-inclusive pricing, and complete quality control
$19,000 annual savings confirmed by accountant; scaled operations; opened new B2B opportunities; complete control over customer experience
Benita’s BookBeau business had the opposite problem most companies face: they were growing fast and struggling to meet demand. After nine years of navigating rapid growth through various small shops, she and her business partner Amy decided to outsource fulfillment to a 3PL (third-party logistics) provider.
The decision nearly destroyed their profit margins. Fulfillment costs consumed 26% of revenue. Worse, the AI-driven fulfillment center packed products incorrectly despite receiving custom boxes with explicit instructions, damaging the customer experience Benita had spent years building.
Three years into WareSpace, BookBeau has saved $19,000 annually, scaled operations with complete quality control, and opened new B2B fulfillment opportunities serving other businesses. The accountant confirmed the savings. The customers confirmed the improved experience.
Before WareSpace The 3PL Trap
The The 3PL Trap
BookBeau’s growth trajectory created constant space challenges. As a family-oriented business (Amy has children, team members have families), staying late at warehouse locations wasn’t sustainable. Outsourcing to a fulfillment center seemed like the logical solution for a scaling e-commerce brand.
The 3PL relationship proved disastrous. The fulfillment center charged for warehousing, picking, packing, and shipping—costs that added up to 26% of BookBeau’s total revenue. Even worse, quality control disappeared entirely.
Benita would send custom boxes specifically designed for her padded book sleeves. The fulfillment center would use random packaging instead. Customers received products in improper boxes that didn’t meet requirements. Shipping costs increased because packages weren’t optimized. Product damage increased because packaging wasn’t protective.
The AI-driven system created additional problems: no visibility into inventory levels, no ability to touch products during quality checks, no control over the customer unboxing experience that drives brand loyalty for bookish accessories.
“The biggest thing was with fulfillment and them not packaging our products properly, not being able to have quality control on our products. So being able to bring it back in-house really helped with us being able to quality check our products.”
Benita Botello BookBeau
Making the Switch All-Inclusive Solution
All-Inclusive Solution
When Benita toured WareSpace, several factors immediately stood out. Manager helpfulness during the first visit. The convenience of French vanilla creamer in the coffee station (she was sold). But most importantly: all-inclusive pricing that eliminated budgeting surprises.
One monthly fee covered rent, electricity, internet, equipment access, and daily shipping pickups for USPS, UPS, and FedEx. No hidden charges. No inventory storage fees on top of fulfillment fees. Complete transparency for Amy, who handles BookBeau’s finances.
The conference room solved a specific operational need: remote employees visiting from out of town. Having professional meeting space on-site meant the team could collaborate without leaving to find coffee shops or coworking spaces, then returning to continue packing orders.
WiFi became essential for order management. Pallet jacks proved crucial for receiving shipments—and critically, BookBeau didn’t have to purchase equipment. The capital that would have gone to buying pallet jacks, dollies, and warehouse gear went to inventory instead.
Security mattered as a female business owner. Twenty-four-hour access with personal key codes meant Benita could work late nights without safety concerns.
Where They Are Now Holiday Season Handled
Holiday Season Handled
BookBeau’s accountant delivered the confirmation during their end-of-year call: switching from third-party fulfillment to WareSpace saved $19,000 annually. The decision ranks among the best business moves Benita has made.
Beyond cost savings, bringing fulfillment in-house restored complete quality control. Benita touches every product, ensures proper packaging, and maintains the customer experience standards that built her brand. Daily sales increased because she gained visibility into inventory quantities—understanding exactly what sells lets her run strategic sales to clear inventory and bring in fresh products.
The operational improvements opened unexpected business opportunities. A Colorado comics business approached BookBeau about handling their fulfillment. Previously, Benita would have declined; she didn’t have the ops systems set up for something like that. Now, with the right space and proven processes, she can accept the work and create new revenue streams.
Benita packs orders knowing pickups happen same-day or next-day depending on timing. No vehicle loading. No carrier trips. Just pack, label, drop in designated bins, and trust the system.
The 24/7 access accommodates BookBeau’s workflow. As a business owner, Benita doesn’t need to come in constantly because her employees have everything they need: climate control, WiFi, equipment, shipping access. The operation runs smoothly whether she’s on-site or not.
“When we finally closed out and decided to come to WareSpace we found out that we saved $19,000 just coming over and making the change and overall it was like the best decision business decision I could have made.”
Benita Botello BookBeau
What They Love Predictable Costs, Flexible Space
Predictable Costs, Flexible Space
For Benita, understanding total overhead costs monthly without surprise additions changed how they allocated capital.
The community aspect also exceeded expectations. Running a business is lonely whether working from home or coffee shops. Having friendly faces, connecting with business owners facing similar challenges, and collaborating with neighbors (like the book-related business next door) created unexpected value.
WareSpace hosted social networking events where Benita tried products from other tenants, bounced ideas around, and built relationships beyond being “warehouse neighbors.”
Customer experience drives BookBeau’s brand. WareSpace infrastructure makes that trust possible.
How long does it take to sign a lease and move in?
What’s included with my rental?
Your rental at WareSpace comes with a comprehensive range of amenities and services designed to simplify your operations and maximize efficiency. Here’s what’s included:
- Loading Docks – Access to shared or private loading docks, making shipping and receiving seamless.
- Racking Systems – Available in select units to optimize your storage capacity.
- Property Taxes – Fully covered as part of your rental agreement.
- Utilities – Electricity, heating, and cooling included in your rent.
- High-Speed Internet – Fast and reliable internet to keep your business connected.
- Maintenance Services – General building maintenance, including repairs and upkeep.
- Cleaning Services – Common areas and exterior spaces cleaned regularly.
- Landscaping – Professional landscaping to maintain a clean and professional exterior.
- Security – Secure facilities with surveillance and controlled access.
- On-Site Parking – Ample parking for employees, visitors, and business vehicles.
- Shared Facilities – Access to common spaces, including conference rooms, kitchens, and restrooms.
- Waste Management – Trash and recycling services included.
- Community Perks – Networking events, tenant support, and other resources to help your business thrive.
Are there loading docks available?
Every location is designed to have the right amount of docks so there will never be a traffic jam and always be enough or the tenants to share. Most locations have 3-5 docks that are shared by the community. Traffic jams have never been an issue.
What different size options do you have for space?
Yes, all of our buildings are secure. We have interior and exterior video surveillance, access control and other methods of keeping it secure while still allowing controlled access for members, their guests, visitors and logistics deliveries.
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