Have a great idea for a new product? To turn the vision into a reality, you need to partner with reliable suppliers. But finding suppliers you can count on is easier said than done. If sourcing has been giving you grief, this is the Unboxing Logistics episode for you!

Mattia Miglio from Alibaba.com joins Lori to share tips for finding suppliers, making sure they’re a good fit for your business, and building partnerships that last.

When you’re on the hunt for a new partner, Mattia recommends using a platform like Alibaba.com to find vetted suppliers from across the globe. For the most accurate picture of their performance, make sure to read customer reviews and check how long they’ve been active on the platform.

Once you’re ready to move forward, Mattia says, “Always ask for samples. … If you are a beauty brand, for example, you can ask for [un]customized samples. Then you can go to customized samples, and then you place the first order with minimal quantities. Then if you're happy, you can scale up.”

According to Mattia, the safest course for a small business is to always have at least three suppliers.

If one partner runs into manufacturing or shipping delays, you’ll be able to rely on your others.

He also notes, “Logistics costs are a big component. So if you find another supplier [that] can reduce your logistics costs, that will have an impact.”

Sourcing is a careful balance; while you want to build trusting, long-term partnerships, you also have to be open to change.

“I always recommend [finding] the right partner, not [just] a supplier. … These relationships should go for the long term. But always compare prices. Always have a backup plan.”

• Connect with Mattia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattiamiglio/
• Visit Alibaba.com’s website: https://www.alibaba.com/

Are you taking advantage of the $100 of shipping insurance included for select USPS labels? Most businesses aren’t. They don’t file claims, leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

Fortunately, there’s a way to recoup lost funds without the filing hassle. In this EasyPost Insider episode, Tyler Diestel joins Lori to share everything you need to know about EasyPost’s USPS Claims service.

Tyler explains, “USPS Claims is an amazing product that makes it easy for shippers to get money back … from [USPS]. Because we have a treasure trove of data, we can tell when a package is lost or damaged. … We're able to file claims … to help our shippers recoup [their money].”

Many merchants don’t file insurance claims because they don’t realize that shipping insurance is included in the label price. But for others, it’s simply a matter of time.

“They don't have time to figure out which of their shipments are actually eligible. They don't have time to go in and file a claim for each of those shipments. They don't have time to follow up on the progress of those claims.”

For these busy logistics teams, USPS Claims is a huge time saver.

Getting started with USPS Claims is easy—you can enroll in the program right from the EasyPost dashboard.

While the process is almost entirely automatic, Tyler does note that if you don’t provide product values at label purchase, you’ll need to add that information after the fact. “As we go through our claims process and identify shipments that can be filed, we will send you an email saying, there are 20 shipments that need additional info … please log into the portal [and] fill it out.”

When claims are approved, the funds go back into your EasyPost Wallet for future label purchases.

• Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdiestel/
• Learn more about USPS Claims by EasyPost: https://www.easypost.com/usps-claims

In August 2025, three innovative carriers announced a merger that will allow them to better serve their customers. ACI Logistix, First Mile, and Sendle are now FAST Group, an integrated logistics ecosystem.

What does the merger mean for their customers? In this episode, Lori sits down with Keith Somers, the new CEO of FAST Group, to answer that question and get a behind-the-scenes look at FAST Group’s operations, culture, and values.

The beauty of FAST Group is that it brings together three companies with different strengths, giving their customers access to more specialized shipping services.

Keith explains, “Legacy ACI focused on the enterprise segment. [They] had high-volume sortation systems [and a] really efficient middle and last mile. … First Mile, their segment was SMB clients, so they had a really amazing first-mile pickup infrastructure. … Sendle had … built this amazing consumer experience platform.”

Now that the three brands have joined forces, they’re a “one-stop shop for customers and clients of any size … [to] get customized pickup [and] delivery [from] anywhere to anywhere.”

FAST Group’s services are perfect for small businesses, major enterprises, and anything in between.

Keith puts it like this: “Clients of any size can enjoy this now. And we [can] grow with a client. They could start in their garage, and maybe they're selling yoga pants and they're going to be the next lululemon. They could stay with us the entire journey.”

With the merger happening so close to peak season, it’s reasonable that shippers using ACI Logistix, First Mile, or Sendle might worry about service disruptions. But Keith shares several strategies FAST Group is implementing to keep things running smoothly.

One key to their success? Staying focused.

“Integration can take 18 months or more. So you might think you're done, and you're not. … [You need to] ignore all the shiny objects, because there's a lot of opportunities, and you really stay focused and true to what that core mission is until that box is checked.”

• Connect with Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-somers-71273b6/
• Learn more about FAST Group: https://fastgroup.co/