I'm a private person, I don't like posting things too much online. But reading some of the threads like @Vick @biophase @Ecom man @Walter Hay, it's very cool to see development and growth in hindsight (and real-time). So I'm deciding to log my steps.
Things I have accomplished so far:
- Read a lot of materials and threads on here, particularly related to ecommerce, Amazon, product development over the course of few years. Never had the capital, time, or balls to drop a large amount of money (and risk) into importing something until now.
My justification for this is comes from being presented with an unexpected turn of events in life, and also having faith in my product that at the very least I'll break even or lose only a little bit of money.
- Developed a working prototype of my product. Started out with sketches, brainstorming, ordering raw parts online to assemble it myself, involved drilling and cutting. This gave me the personal hands-on experience to know the materials and dimensions needed, how it looks, how long it takes to assemble.
- Created a good name for my company. Spent a few weeks creating a logo in Illustrator in vector format. Also spent those weeks using Photoshop to create blown up diagrams of the product with dimensions to send to my supplier.
- Brainstormed and chose appropriate colors based on the vision of my product and company, tweaked the color palette. I had to make a lot of adjustments not just based on looks but also what is possible thru suppliers, which is something you can't account for without having the experience or working with the suppliers and asking questions. Planning can only get you so far.
- Tested the product everyday for the past few weeks, taking notes on potential changes required.
- Packaging and shipping design and layout for the maximum efficiency. Least weight, space and cost.. while a) looking great and no compromise to appeal b) Amazon ready even though I'm planning on selling from my own website as well. Needs to compatible universally with FBA. c) Sturdy, doesn't destroy product.
- Today, paid over $400+ on samples of 5 units each of few parts. A bit of risk here, it's really expensive for samples because my product is custom, it requires set up fees, etc. The risk here is that the quality will be shit. The shipping, fees, printing set up, etc. are all wasted on if the product is bad.
I thought about the option to ask for non-custom sample first, and then if it's OK to proceed with a custom sample order again. But that'll take too long, I want to get to market. So this is the ante for testing this supplier with the final product in mind.
And that is where I am today. Sent over payment today for the samples with an estimated delivery time of 2 weeks from now.. which is May 2.
Plans while waiting for sample order #1 to arrive:
- Create a beautiful, customized product insert/packaging design using Illustrator to reflect my brand and things I want to include.
- Use my web design skills to create and launch my Ecommerce website.
- Contact more suppliers and order samples for other parts required in the assembly of the final product. Probably will take another 2 weeks minimum and cost another $100 each for the samples.
I'm looking into domestic sourcing for parts. The margins may still work and shipping time/cost may be a wash.
- Register for Amazon FBA and figure out all the details required for this. Handle any of the verification process, set up, etc. File for LLC once I see traction in sales.
After all necessary samples arrive:
- Place orders from all necessary suppliers.
- Assemble each unit from first batch by hand. Ship out to FBA
- Promote and run ads
My main concern at the moment is the quality of the parts produced and the ability to produce the color I requested. I am hoping they get it right. My contact has been good so far.
Things I have accomplished so far:
- Read a lot of materials and threads on here, particularly related to ecommerce, Amazon, product development over the course of few years. Never had the capital, time, or balls to drop a large amount of money (and risk) into importing something until now.
My justification for this is comes from being presented with an unexpected turn of events in life, and also having faith in my product that at the very least I'll break even or lose only a little bit of money.
- Developed a working prototype of my product. Started out with sketches, brainstorming, ordering raw parts online to assemble it myself, involved drilling and cutting. This gave me the personal hands-on experience to know the materials and dimensions needed, how it looks, how long it takes to assemble.
- Created a good name for my company. Spent a few weeks creating a logo in Illustrator in vector format. Also spent those weeks using Photoshop to create blown up diagrams of the product with dimensions to send to my supplier.
- Brainstormed and chose appropriate colors based on the vision of my product and company, tweaked the color palette. I had to make a lot of adjustments not just based on looks but also what is possible thru suppliers, which is something you can't account for without having the experience or working with the suppliers and asking questions. Planning can only get you so far.
- Tested the product everyday for the past few weeks, taking notes on potential changes required.
- Packaging and shipping design and layout for the maximum efficiency. Least weight, space and cost.. while a) looking great and no compromise to appeal b) Amazon ready even though I'm planning on selling from my own website as well. Needs to compatible universally with FBA. c) Sturdy, doesn't destroy product.
- Today, paid over $400+ on samples of 5 units each of few parts. A bit of risk here, it's really expensive for samples because my product is custom, it requires set up fees, etc. The risk here is that the quality will be shit. The shipping, fees, printing set up, etc. are all wasted on if the product is bad.
I thought about the option to ask for non-custom sample first, and then if it's OK to proceed with a custom sample order again. But that'll take too long, I want to get to market. So this is the ante for testing this supplier with the final product in mind.
And that is where I am today. Sent over payment today for the samples with an estimated delivery time of 2 weeks from now.. which is May 2.
Plans while waiting for sample order #1 to arrive:
- Create a beautiful, customized product insert/packaging design using Illustrator to reflect my brand and things I want to include.
- Use my web design skills to create and launch my Ecommerce website.
- Contact more suppliers and order samples for other parts required in the assembly of the final product. Probably will take another 2 weeks minimum and cost another $100 each for the samples.
I'm looking into domestic sourcing for parts. The margins may still work and shipping time/cost may be a wash.
- Register for Amazon FBA and figure out all the details required for this. Handle any of the verification process, set up, etc. File for LLC once I see traction in sales.
After all necessary samples arrive:
- Place orders from all necessary suppliers.
- Assemble each unit from first batch by hand. Ship out to FBA
- Promote and run ads
My main concern at the moment is the quality of the parts produced and the ability to produce the color I requested. I am hoping they get it right. My contact has been good so far.
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