GROWTH STORY
From 3PL frustration to holiday shipping success: How a prank gift box company took control of their fulfillment
 Prank-O at a glance:
3PL costs were eating into margins, with per-touch fees on every order and no flexibility for customization
Self-managed warehouse space with all-inclusive pricing, daily carrier pickups, shared equipment, and 24/7 access for holiday shipping rushes
Full control of fulfillment operations, predictable monthly costs, and the flexibility to pack orders at 10 PM during the holiday rush
Prank-O’s mission is simple: deliver laughter through prank gift boxes. But for years, fulfillment was anything but funny. Every 3PL they tried came with the same problems — per-touch fees that ate into margins, markups on shipping and boxes, and zero flexibility for the customization their customers wanted.
After cycling through every 3PL in the Twin Cities, Ashley McIntosh and her team made the leap to self-managed warehousing at WareSpace. The difference was immediate: control over their orders, predictable monthly costs, and the infrastructure to handle their busiest season yet.
Before WareSpace The 3PL Trap
The The 3PL Trap
Prank-O had been through every 3PL in the Twin Cities. The math never worked. Every order, every line item, every touch cost money — plus markups on shipping and boxes. For a small business, those fees added up fast.
Beyond cost, there was the control problem. 3PLs couldn’t accommodate the customization Prank-O wanted — marketing inserts, special packaging, the small details that turn a delivery into an experience. Their business was too small for most 3PLs to prioritize, but too big to keep running out of a garage.
They needed a different solution.
“The biggest pain point on trying to ship our products was definitely the cost. Every order, every line, every touch cost us money. And there was a markup then on shipping and boxes. So coming to WareSpace eliminates all of that.”
Ashley McIntosh Prank-O
Making the Switch All-Inclusive Solution
All-Inclusive Solution
When Ashley toured WareSpace, the infrastructure was already in place: racking, pallet jacks, forklifts, and daily carrier pickups from FedEx, UPS, USPS, and DHL. No expensive equipment purchases. No setting up shipping accounts. Just move in and start fulfilling.
The shared amenities made a real difference. Equipment that would cost thousands to buy outright — forklifts, pallet jacks, step ladders — was available whenever they needed it. For a small business without a lot of cash to put toward equipment they’d only use sometimes, sharing costs with other tenants made sense.
Where They Are Now Holiday Season Handled
3 Holiday Season Handled
One year in, Prank-O has full control of their fulfillment. Orders get packed exactly how they want. Marketing inserts go in every box. And when the holiday rush hits, Ashley sets her own schedule.
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During the busy season, that meant late nights — sometimes packing orders until 10 PM. With 24/7 access and cameras throughout the facility, she never worried about safety. When a rush of orders came in at 8 PM, she could process them that night and have them out the door the next morning.
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The daily carrier pickups changed everything. Walk out the door, turn the corner, drop off packages. Tracking information and costs show up immediately — no more waiting until the next morning like they did with 3PLs.
“During the busy holiday shipping season, there were times I was coming here after hours, sometimes as late as 10 o’clock at night to get orders out. And I never had any safety issues. There’s cameras everywhere, so I know that there’s always something being watched.”
Ashley McIntosh Prank-O
What They Love Predictable Costs, Flexible Space
Predictable Costs, Flexible Space
For Prank-O, all-inclusive pricing was a game-changer. One bill each month covers everything: Wi-Fi, equipment, security, AC, utilities. No surprise fees. No cost fluctuations. Just predictable expenses they can budget around.
The flexibility matters too. Short-term leases let them adjust to seasonal business needs — scaling up when holiday inventory arrives, scaling back when things slow down.
And the community surprised them. Donut Wednesdays in the break room. A dog that stops by to say hi. Other small business owners who wave in the hallways. After years of faceless 3PL relationships, having a place that feels like theirs made all the difference.
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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