Stack is a UK based magazine subscription service that supplies monthly independent magazines around the world. The store offers a variety of magazines from Little White Lies, Huck and Oh Comely; each magazine have their own writing style and cutting edge designs for people that appreciate culture, art and lifestyle. Not only does Stack collect independent publications, they also deliver directly to your door. Although the magazines are delivered monthly you are guaranteed to receive a surprise magazine, it’s like a lucky dip so you will have no idea which magazine you will receive. By signing up to Stack you save money on purchasing magazines in store paying only £18.00 for three months (£5.50 per month), you will receive a top quality magazine filled with culture, hip illustrations and highbrow content.
The idea was founded by Steve Watson,
he started Stack in 2008 as he saw a gap in the print market inspiring him to
setup a subscription service.
"Stack came about because I was
writing for various independent magazines like Little White Lies, and I knew my
friends would love them but the majority had never heard of them. I did some
research and realised that the problem often isn’t the product - the magazines
themselves are great - but the distribution systems just aren’t made for small
publishers. So I started Stack as a sort of halfway house for small independent
publishers - my subscription service will never replace the experience of
walking into a well-stocked newsagent and flicking through the magazines, but
it provides an extra way for people to discover great magazines."
Steve believes that people want
something better to read and there are many magazines that are waiting to be
discovered and enjoyed by readers.
"Its hard work for small
independent publishers to reach readers – there are only a handful of shops
around the world that offer a really great selection of titles, and that number
is shrinking all the time. Stack brings you the joy of discovering great
independent publishing, but with less hassle and at a lower cost than
the shops.”
By doing so, Steve explains the
careful planning and setup of Stack, he shares how a small business went from
part time to full time.
"I wrote a business plan and
persuaded my dad and my mother- and father-in-law that they should invest. The
business plan turned out to be wildly inaccurate, but that initial (and
relatively small) investment was enough to pay for the branding and build of
the website, and to buy the first stock. From that point on Stack has run
itself without further investment, which I suppose is a success in itself, but
I’m focused on it becoming much more successful than it currently is, with far
more subscribers and a much bigger public awareness of the service and the
magazines themselves. I started running the business one day a week, and just
last month I finally went full time with it."
Seven years ago, Steve started Stack
with £6,000 and currently has just under 2000 subscribers, with a clear idea
and passion for what he does, Steve offers some advice to those who are
considering setting up their own print business.
"Do it, but make sure you have a
very clear idea of who will read your piece of print, why they will pay for it,
and why they will keep on coming back and paying for it. It’s very difficult to
make a sustainable business out of independent publishing, but it’s by no means
impossible, and it all comes down to having that loyal following of people who
want to feel part of what the magazine means".
To find out what magazines Stack has
to offer follow this link for more information: www.stackmagazines.com/the-magazines
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