winter-app-2026

Winter 2026 PBC Sale — Shop Owner Applications

Welcome to the Planner Boss Collective (PBC) Sale! Now entering our 9th year, PBC connects creative stationery and planner shops with thousands of passionate customers through a professionally organized, community-driven shopping event.

Applications for the Winter 2026 PBC Sale are now open.

Key Dates & Deadlines

All deadlines are firm to ensure fairness and a smooth experience for every shop.

• Applications Open: November 14, 2025
• Applications Close: November 19, 2025
• Acceptance Emails Sent: Within 5 business days of application close
• Participation Fee ($65 via Shopify): Due within 5 business days of acceptance
• Photo + Bio + Contract Due: December 12, 2025
• Website Listings Published: Prior to the announcement window
• Rolling Shop Announcements: January 8–17, 2026
• PBC Live Features: 25 openings during the Winter promotional period
• Take $10 Tuesday Features: 13 available spots
• Sale Dates: January 23–25, 2026 (Friday–Sunday)
• Post-Sale Wrap-Up: Within 3 days following sale close

Who Can Apply

We welcome a variety of planner and stationery shops, including but not limited to:

• Sticker shops
• Stationery and paper goods
• Washi and PET tape creators
• Planner covers and accessories
• Journaling and memory-keeping supplies
• Digital stationery and printables
• Other handmade or design-focused creative goods

To participate in the PBC Sale, shops must:

• Have an active online store or storefront capable of processing orders
• Be able to meet all posted deadlines
• Maintain professional communication with customers and PBC admins
• Follow the PBC discount and promotion guidelines for the round
• Be prepared to process and ship orders within your stated processing time

How Shops Are Selected — Our Commitment to Fairness

We know that selection transparency is a major concern in collaborative sales. PBC uses a documented, repeatable process that balances fairness with the needs of the overall event.

Step 1: Randomized Application List

After applications close, all eligible applications are compiled into a list and run through a randomization tool. This gives us a base order that is not influenced by personal preference or popularity.

Step 2: Balancing for Variety and Event Health

From that randomized list, we apply filters to ensure a diverse and successful sale. These balancing filters include:

• A mix of new and returning shops
• A variety of product categories (stickers, washi, stationery, digital, etc.)
• A healthy mix of small, mid-size, and a few larger anchor shops to help lift visibility for everyone
• Confirmation that each shop meets the basic eligibility requirements and agrees to the deadlines

Step 3: What Does Not Influence Selection

Selection is not based on:

• Personal friendships or relationships
• Popularity or follower counts
• Personal aesthetic preference
• Past participation alone

Step 4: Internal Audit

Before the list is finalized, we perform an internal check to ensure there are no duplicates, no missed applications, and that all selected shops meet PBC standards and expectations for the round.

Our goal is a selection process that is fair, balanced, and clearly documented, so shop owners can feel confident that the process respects their time, effort, and investment.

What You Get as a Participating Shop

Your $65 participation fee is an investment in visibility, marketing, and structure. It includes:

Visibility & Marketing

• A featured listing on the PBC website during the Winter 2026 Sale
  
• One dedicated shop announcement during the rolling announcement window (January 8–17)
• Opportunities to be featured in:
  • Take $10 Tuesday (13 limited spots)
  • PBC Live features (25 limited spots)
  • Social media highlights in the PBC community

Resources & Support

• Access to the private PBC shop owner community for this round
• A coordinated graphics kit for cohesive branding during the sale
• Social media templates for Instagram and Facebook promotion
• Opportunities to go live in the PBC Facebook group on designated days (Monday and Thursday sign-ups)
• Clear communication and updates leading up to and during the event

Operational Structure

• A clearly defined SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for the round
• Firm, consistent deadlines so you know exactly what to expect and when
• Shopify-based billing and organized admin support
• A shared calendar for deadlines, live events, and key milestones
• Leadership with extensive experience in product-based business and collaborative events

What Is Expected of You

The PBC Sale depends on every participating shop showing up fully and professionally. By applying, you agree to:

• Pay the $65 participation fee on time, within 5 business days of acceptance
• Sign and submit the PBC participation contract for the Winter 2026 round
• Submit your shop photo, bio, and all required listing details by the posted deadlines
• Use the official PBC graphics and branding elements for this round where requested
• Honor the required PBC discount structure for the event
• Maintain accurate inventory and product information during the sale
• Process and ship orders within your stated processing times
• Communicate professionally with both customers and PBC admins
• Follow all community guidelines and uphold the collaborative spirit of the event

Missing critical deadlines may result in forfeiture of your spot. This policy protects the time, money, and effort that every participating shop invests into the PBC Sale.

AI, Copyright, and Content Integrity

All participating shops are responsible for ensuring that their products and marketing materials comply with copyright and intellectual property laws.

• Planner Boss Collective is not responsible for copyright or intellectual property violations committed by individual shops.
• AI-generated artwork is allowed at the shop owner’s discretion, provided it is:
  • Ethically obtained and created with tools you are authorized to use
  • Original and not derivative of protected characters, brands, or intellectual property
  • Clearly and truthfully disclosed as AI-assisted in your shop description or product listings

By participating, you agree that your shop alone is responsible for the content you create, publish, and sell during the PBC Sale.

Program Costs & Financial Transparency

We believe in full transparency about how participation fees support the Planner Boss Collective Sale. Your fee helps cover the operational, administrative, and marketing expenses that make each round successful and professionally organized.

The participation fee supports essential costs such as platform and hosting expenses, payment processing, design and graphics tools, and the paid marketing campaign that runs before each sale. It also contributes to compensating the small PBC team responsible for operations, coordination, graphic design, social media management, and hosting the PBC Live Show.

Team members are paid only after each round is completed and all services have been rendered. Any remaining funds after expenses may be carried over to support future PBC sale events, upgrades, and community improvements.

What Happens After You Apply

Here is what you can expect once you submit your Winter 2026 application:

1. Application Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation that your application was received.
2. Application Review: After the application window closes, applications are entered into the documented selection process described above.
3. Acceptance or Waitlist Notification: You’ll receive an email within 5 business days of application close with your status.
4. If accepted:
   • Pay your $65 participation invoice via Shopify within 5 business days
   • Sign and submit your PBC contract for the Winter 2026 round
   • Submit your shop photo, bio, and listing information by the posted deadlines
   • Join the shared calendar and review key dates for this round
   • Access your graphics kit and marketing assets
5. Prepare Your Shop: Set up your discount, inventory, and listings according to the SOP.
6. Participate in Marketing: Engage in announcements, optional lives, and promotional opportunities.
7. Sale Weekend: The Winter 2026 PBC Sale runs January 23–25, 2026.
8. Post-Sale Wrap-Up: Complete post-sale tasks and review feedback within 3 days of sale close.

Quick Shop-Owner FAQ

Is this sale legitimate?

Yes. Planner Boss Collective has been running collaborative stationery sales for many years and is now entering its 9th year. The Winter 2026 round has been restructured with a clear SOP, documented processes, and dedicated operations leadership to support participating shops.

How many shops are selected?

For the Winter 2026 Sale, we are planning for approximately 50 shops.

Is selection actually random?

Applications are first randomized and then balanced for variety in shop type, size, and product offerings. Personal preference, popularity, and friendship are not part of the selection criteria.

Do you take a commission on my sales?

No. All sales are processed through your own shop platform. You keep 100% of your revenue from orders placed during the PBC Sale. The participation fee supports event operations and marketing.

What happens if I miss a deadline?

Deadlines are firm in order to keep the event fair and organized. Missing a critical deadline (such as payment or required assets) may result in forfeiting your spot in the round.

Do I have to use the PBC graphics?

Yes, where requested. The graphics kit is designed to give the sale a cohesive look and to make it easy for shoppers to recognize official PBC promotions and participating shops.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Once accepted, you’ll receive contact information and group access where you can ask questions, get updates, and connect with the PBC team and fellow shop owners.