Boot strapping, doing it yourself, keeping it lean and mean. Making decisions as if your life and business depended on it.
Think back to when your company was just getting started. Every decision mattered, every dollar counted, and every customer interaction was an opportunity to build trust. You couldn’t afford to overcomplicate things. You had to be focused, intentional, and creative.
You know better than anyone that those things never change. But perhaps you and your business have.
Like you, startups live in that world every day. And in many ways, they get packaging right because they have no other choice. For established businesses, watching how startups operate can be a powerful reminder of what worked back then, and what still works today.
Here is what we mean:
Simplicity. Packaging is straightforward, protecting the product and communicating clearly.
Efficiency. Limited resources mean they eliminate waste, cut down on unnecessary steps, and focus on what matters most.
Customer-first thinking. Every package is an impression, and startups know they can’t afford to miss the chance to make it positive. Sound familiar? It should. These are the hallmarks to any business success, large, small or start-up, and have likely played a role in yours, too.
Growth brings opportunity, but it also brings complexity. Over time, packaging and logistics can shift from a source of strength to a hidden drain on efficiency, margins, and customer loyalty. Here are some of the challenges established businesses face today, and how going back to basics—taking a page from startup thinking—can help:
Rising packaging and logistics costs. Materials, fuel, and shipping rates keep climbing, but many companies are still locked into oversized boxes, unnecessary fillers, or outdated specs. Studies show that right-sizing packaging alone can reduce costs by 15–30%. Startups have to optimize cost per unit from day one, and established businesses can reclaim those savings by re-evaluating what they really need.
Inefficiency on the line. Multiple handoffs, redundant approvals, and labor-intensive processes can slow down throughput and increase mistakes. Startups don’t have that luxury. They streamline out of necessity. Established businesses can adopt the same approach by auditing packaging workflows, reducing steps, and looking for bottlenecks. Even small changes in workstation design or automation can cut labor costs by as much as 40–60%. Read this blog by Ashtonne about how to help reduce unnecessary costs.
Weaker customer connection. When packaging becomes purely functional, customers
stop noticing. Research shows that 76% of consumers admit packaging design
influences impulse purchases. Startups obsess over that first impression; established
businesses can regain lost ground by refreshing design, unboxing experience, or
messaging to spark renewed customer loyalty.
Complexity and waste. With growth
Startups keep things simple, and established businesses can follow suit by consolidating SKUs, standardizing packaging formats, and cutting down on unnecessary variants. This blog by Ashtonne explains in more detail about how to help with this issue.
Sustainability pressure. Customers and regulators alike expect packaging to be recyclable, efficient, and eco-friendly. Startups often build these practices in from the start. For established businesses, rethinking packaging with sustainability in mind isn’t just about compliance, t’s about brand reputation and long-term savings. In short, established companies face real pressures that can chip away at profitability and brand strength. By looking at how startups think—lean, intentional, and customer- focused—you can strip away the clutter, reduce waste, and make packaging a driver of efficiency and loyalty again.
If you’re ready to take a fresh look at your packaging and operations, Ashtonne
Packaging can help. We offer:
• Packaging consultation and strategy
• Packaging design and production
• Packing and shipping solutions
• Warehousing and logistics support
At Ashtonne Packaging, since 2007, we have been helping both large and small businesses develop and launch new products and expand product lines with product packaging and display strategy, design, and development, focusing our efforts to allow your products to stand out in the competitive ecommerce and retail markets.
For more information and a friendly conversation about what you might need to improve your product packaging and display and develop that "wow" factor, call Ashtonne Packaging today at 877-832-7720 or contact us here, and let’s set a time to talk. We look forward to it.