364 days from idea to market.

[sukie]

Hello.
I haven't posted in a while but in the few threads I started I received great advice which is the great thing abou this forum.

We came up with an idea and started the research... and research... and more research.

(Thank GOD for google.)

In the early days, we read somewhere that it takes 6 months from idea to market. I laughed at that notion since that seemed like a long time.

One year later, (enough about that.)

Here are the steps we took to get a product developed and made.

1. Financing. We realized about 20k in expense to creatye a product we are selling for 12,10,and 8 dollars. Much of that was inventory. It is good to have credit with which to purchase supplies.

Keep receipts and records of all R&D costs.

We decided to use neoprene sheeting (wet suit material) for our products main material.

Sheets were ordered for "prototyping" and we were on our way.

This material is readily available BUT we found that very little is produced here in the US so (google again) we found ALIBABA.com and found a "source"

Alibaba.com is a great site BUT when dealing with companies out of China, be sure they are gold members and there is a video accompaning the listing so you can see the factory. After searching and searching, we found our supplier and made a good friend in China along the way. price was ageed upon and order was placed.

(most overseas companies require T/T or wire transfer - abit scary the first time you do a transfer.... now I prefer nothing but.)

Another tip. Always have supplier arrange shipping. Our product was fairly light and UPS handled it well BUT it will cost you over double if you arrange shipping using your UPS account # (first business mistake I made... cost 1560.00)

We found a US supplier for the second portion of the product which is big sturdy 30 ounce tumblers thru thomasnet... A great resource.

Logo design was done in house. I am fortunate for that. We immediately started the trademark process. I used legalzoom for this.

We decided that marketing will be thru face to face sales, local retailers, and the internet.

I chose to teach myself Dreamweaver CS3 jsut so I can maintain control of the site and make quick changes as need be.

I chose inmotion hosting. Great guys with awesome support 24/7. Even with my stupid newbie questions.

Chose paypal and will still need a virtual terminal gateway... anyone know of one that isn't 30 bucks a month like Paypal wants?

Sales have started... The next phase is getting the product out there.

This will be a new adventure.

My site is in my profile if you care to look.

I'll be back to answer questions if any.

[lilg1989@gmail.com]

Great info!!!!

[sukie]

Thanks, There was alot of minor pitfalls but to recap them in a single thread start is tough.
Design changes etc.

[sukie]

Update... One month in. Websales are coming... slowly but that was expected.

direct promotion of our product, neoprene insulated drinking tumblers (neoslev.com) has yielded 2 requests for custom orders, one for 1,2, and 5k units

another for 250.

I am now switching creative gears towards custom work.

Business is fun. Profits will come later.

[myfayt]

Thanks for the info, but I won't deal with China.

[sukie]

Unfortunately I needed to but only for the neopren cover material. No US source other than ones that already get it from China.

All plastic tumblers are US made and will stay that way.

[inle]

Pardon me but what's wrong with China?

[sukie]

Nothing on my end cept for the response I'v gotten out of the BPA free made in the US tumblers.

I am dealling with China quite a bit and have made a valuable contact/friend there in my early dealings with Alibaba.com

I have learned alot from my friend about international dealings etc.

No probs with China at all.

[tom-knox]

I might just be being stupid but what is the purpose of your product?

[sukie]

I might just be being stupid but what is the purpose of your product?

it is an insulated tall drinking tumbler. Beer cans and bottles for decades have had "coolies" whereas tall drinks, frozen drinks etc had basically wrapped napkins to prevent dripping (sweating) and that didn't prolong ice life at all.

We designed our product and sell it with the cup as a unit.

we also designed and sell a neoprene "sleeve" alone for big gulps and iced coffees that sweat up car cup holders and end up being discarded when they get all watered down.

A way better alternative to the red or blue disposable cups.

The 20 ounce "sleeve" without the cup fits 16oz beer pint glasses as well.

[KaininConway]

hi
thanks for the info....n i wann to get more info...let me know more about ur work...thnx

Just a suggestion but this kind of response looks like you didn't even read the subject at all.

Next time try to be a bit more specific when asking questions.

Til Next Time ~Kainin Conway

[paul2145r]

Congrats making it to market! Innovative product and good branding. Custom branding for advertisers, etc might be a great way to go. You could even pitch it to Budweiser or Miller- they seem to be willing to brand anything, lol!

[Auspreneur]

Wow 1 year is a great effort, My project has taken about four years and should be in the market in the next few months.

[sukie]

Congrats making it to market! Innovative product and good branding. Custom branding for advertisers, etc might be a great way to go. You could even pitch it to Budweiser or Miller- they seem to be willing to brand anything, lol!

Working on that phase even as we speak. It's corporate logos waiting to happen.