Subscription Box For Oklahoma Products Helping Local Businesses & Nonprofits

It’s an out of the box idea, in a box. 

“The neatest thing about Sample Oklahoma is it branches small business owners with nonprofits at the same time," said Libby Ross, Sample Oklahoma marketing consultant.

Sample Oklahoma is a monthly subscription box that contains local products. 

Each box has more than $50 worth of everything from coffee to candles to self-care products. 

Net proceeds from each one goes to a different nonprofit each month. 

“Branching the two together is really innovative. It kind of becomes a network for Oklahoma," said Ross.

The current box beneficiary is The Single Parent Support Network. 

“Nonprofits are always looking for that steady income to come in, and this is just another wonderful outlet to bring some guaranteed money," said Maria Grundy, Executive Director of the Single Parent Support Network.

Chris Barnes and his wife Susan are some of the newest vendors for Sample Oklahoma, and one of the newest businesses in the area. 

A year ago, Chris lost his job in the oil business. 

“I’ve built and designed things on the side for the last 20 years. I was actually in Tulsa on a job interview, we were driving back, and that’s when she pitched the idea to me, you should start your own company, you’ve always been wanting to do it," said Chris.

The pitch landed and Barnes Design was born, opening up their metal and wood working shop last month in Harrah. 

Chris is coy about his Sample Oklahoma contribution, but said it might have something to do with Bigfoot. 

The Barnes are hoping that being in the box will leave a big impression on potential customers. 

 “As a new start-up business, especially in the last year with COVID, it’s a great opportunity for us to get our product out there," said Susan.

You can subscribe at sampleok.com and subscriptions are $29.99 a month.