Operating Crew Helps Freck Beauty Transition 3PLs and Build a Scalable Foundation for DTC, Amazon, and B2B

“Operating Crew was exceptional partners to work with.”

J | Founder at Freck Beauty

Company Overview

Freck Beauty is a clean, vegan, and cruelty-free brand redefining what bold beauty looks like. Founded on the idea that freckles should be celebrated, not covered up, Freck has grown into a cult-favorite with products that empower self-expression without rules. Rooted in originality and community, Freck has become the go-to brand for trailblazers who care about ingredients, creativity, and breaking convention.

"Operating Crew was an instrumental part of our recent 3PL transition with their expert guidance and thorough approach.. "

— J, Founder

Challenges Faced

As Freck scaled, their existing 3PL setup could no longer keep pace with operational needs. B2B and DTC fulfillment required more flexibility, Amazon compliance added layers of complexity, and cost structures lacked transparency. Without the right partner, fulfillment could slow growth across all channels — the risks were clear, and they showed up as:

  • Multi-channel complexity: Needed a 3PL that could handle DTC, B2B/wholesale, and Amazon simultaneously.

  • High-stakes transition: Ensuring a smooth move from the incumbent 3PL without disrupting orders.

  • Cost & contract inflexibility: Required better terms, cost transparency, and flexibility in onboarding fees.

  • Operational gaps: Needed guidance on labeling, ASN processes, and returns handling to avoid inefficiencies.

How We Helped

Operating Crew went beyond simply sourcing quotes — we ran a structured, operator-led process to find the right long-term fulfillment partner and manage the transition end to end. Our support spanned four areas:

  • 3PL Search & Evaluation: Identified and vetted candidates (including MasonHub and Jay Group), reviewed proposals, and ran detailed cost and scenario modeling to weigh short- and long-term trade-offs.

  • Negotiation & Advocacy: Secured waived minimums for the first three months, reduced receiving fees, and negotiated free management fees for a set period to maximize upside.

  • Operational Guidance: Advised on best practices for onboarding, including ASN creation, labeling, and polybagging requirements; clarified bulk return handling for Sephora and Amazon.

  • Stakeholder Coordination: Maintained close communication with Barbara Almeida (Superbloom Insights, supporting Freck), aligned the brand’s new Ops Manager, and provided hands-on support for PO updates, last-minute address changes, and urgent shipments.

The Transition

Execution mattered as much as partner selection. To ensure Freck Beauty’s move was seamless, we focused on the following:

  • Planning & Alignment: Built clear onboarding timelines and managed communication between Freck, Barbara, and the new 3PL.

  • Operational Setup: Provided guidance on receiving processes, labeling, and ASN updates to minimize friction.

  • Troubleshooting: Resolved last-minute PO address changes and urgent shipment needs during cutover.

The transition was completed with minimal disruption, giving Freck confidence that their new fulfillment setup could support all channels from day one. In fact, on onboarding day the COO had to travel and told her team to call if any issues came up. Three days passed without a single call — a testament to just how smooth the cutover was.

Results Achieved

Freck Beauty came out of the process with a stronger, more scalable fulfillment foundation. With Operating Crew’s support, they were able to:

  • Seamless Transition: Move to a new 3PL with minimal disruption to orders.

  • Cost Savings & Flexibility: Negotiate favorable terms and reduce operational costs.

  • Scalable Operations: Set up to handle growth across DTC, Amazon, and B2B channels.

  • Strategic Partnership: Build a relationship designed to evolve with the brand’s growth.

This wasn’t just a provider swap — it was a foundation for scale. By combining negotiation, hands-on guidance, and end-to-end transition support, Operating Crew turned a high-risk move into a smooth launchpad for growth. Freck now has the fulfillment backbone to keep pace with its cult-favorite brand momentum across DTC, Amazon, and B2B.

With Operating Crew, they didn’t just switch providers — they unlocked long-term value.

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