Launching a Private Brand - China Sourcing - Product Development

[adamwade]

I know that many ideas people have are based on getting a product manufactured or developing a private brand. In addition to having a great idea and a great sales system, you also have to have a great factory to produce the product for you.

For the last 7 years, I have been working with small business and entrepreneurs to develop and source products in China. I have a firm belief the as the principal in your business you need to have a direct, in person relationship with your suppliers. I have put together a package of supplier qualification and basic product development called TRAILBLAZER

TRAILBLAZER is an eight to ten day personal experience to discover the best factory and establish a relationship to begin dealing directly with China. During the trip we will investigate up to eight different factories across China. Each factory will be qualified in depth daily. Factories will be surveyed, manufacturing processes monitored and management questioned. We will discuss pros and cons of each factory and rate them alongside each other. By getting to know your supplier and their operation , you will be able to make educated decisions regarding your future business plans.

During our visits you will quickly learn, that in fact we are not only qualifying factories, but also that the factories are qualifying us . Therefore, it is important to successfully present yourself as a potential long term client .Factories that you take the time to develop a relationship with are much more forthcoming with design, samples, engineering and aggressive pricing. People who regularly work with Chinese factories start to know that doing business in China is also a cultural experience. Any of them will tell you that in China it is the right "Guanxi" that makes all the difference. “Guanxi” literally means "relationships". By developing direct relationships your organization can minimize risks, frustrations, and disappointments when doing business in China . The only way to successfully establish real, long term, relationships with a supplier in China , is on the ground.

I would love to hear peoples feedback, and ideas...email me anytime sales@ww-wholesale.com

[GriZzly]

How much does the package cost?

[Lambo]

interesting concept.....this would be for individuals who are already on their way to developing products and such.

What about people who want to establish a relationship from a distance?

[GriZzly]

interesting concept.....this would be for individuals who are already on their way to developing products and such.

What about people who want to establish a relationship from a distance?

I think that sort of goes against the whole point of 'on the ground' relationships.

[elliotiscool]

This sounds very innovative and I like it. The questions I would ask myself if I wanted to start this:

-How can I reach my targeted audience?

-Overhead expenses?

-Are there any other services out there like this?

-What is my competition?

-How can I make BIG BUCKS from this? (If you are trying to sell this to people who want to outsource, you will have some clients with quite a few bucks in their pocket. What is a good way to make a lot of money from such a rich clientele?)

If you can give positive responses to these, I would say go for it. I really like your idea. Good luck!

Edit: Just trying to expand your idea a little bit. Traveling is expensive, and people are lazy. Is there a way you can also make money off these people who don't want to actually travel there?

[adamwade]

In my opinion, making the face to face contact and actually spending some time in the factory is the only real way to get a project from concept to development.

I have probably been in no less than 75 different factories over the years...and every one of them is unique. Just spending 1 day at a place allows you to really understand what a factories true capabilities and limitations are.

The actual Trailblazer package isnt to make big bucks...its to groom a long term client that you can do ongoing sourcing work for.

Also...the entire process of vetting a factory is just about the visit. I spend months studying trade data and having ongoing conversations with factories just to narrow down the 6 or 8 you want to visit.

I agree people are lazy...thats why the actual process and build up to the trip gives attainable benchmarks to actual move a process forward.

I have been listening to peoples ideas that never materialize for years. Ideas dont turn into products without having a process to move it forward...TRAILBLAZER actually makes ideas actionable

[KevinH.]

China is the gate and super highway to success, if you can put in the time: MindsetChina.com (not spam)