[This thread is a little more than just sourcing, as I talk about what is on my mind and other details about the product.] I put the sourcing product issue in bold.
In my intro. I mentioned having an idea for a product which I would like to sell. What I would like to do in a nut-shell is (big picture) create said product, package and distribute it, with the end goal of having it in as many retail stores as possible.
The Market? Well I scoured the web for months looking for something to FBA on Amazon before I connected two and two together (this is something my father used to make for quite some time and when I was younger thought it would be a a good idea to sell, but had no idea how to go about it). I spent a fair amount of time (3-4months) looking for like products (other ideas as well) and researching other ideas, and did not come across any until very recently. I'd say about 2 -3weeks ago I have seen two companies (most likely private labels) on Amazon US selling a similar product, both got around 20-30 reviews in the first two weeks - Some good, some not so good. Their packaging is simple and their description/seo is fairly straight forward from what I see. Nothing being sold in Canada and being from here, I figured it might be better to start here first.
Is it a good idea/The Need? I believe it is. My dad originally started making it in the winters as it is very good for your health and helps prevent colds and upset stomach, etc. (although unless scientifically proven, I can not use that in advertisements right. However anyone in our family has not had a winter cold in the last few years.) I use it year round because it is very healthy and more so I really enjoy the flavour. There is also a convenience factor as can just take some of the product and I'm ready to go V.S. having to take out separate spices to crush and use. Anyone that comes over and tries it always asks what it is. My father actually packed it in his suitcase on a 10+ hour flight back home, people there (where these products come from) were asking him "What did you put in the ____, can You leave some for us before you go back home." (Its like if I had jerk chicken flavouring, went to South Africa and people there were in aw about how good the jerk was.) I actually have a friend who comes by and uses it in different food because he likes it that much.
Will it sell? That is an entirely different question.... And never having tried anything like this before do not know. Which is why I was hoping to start small with my initial investment. That and I only have so much funds to play around with.
[My Current Roadblock]
The part I have been struggling with for the past little while is sourcing the products to put together to create my product. (Ex: if I was making chicken seasoning, I need flour, salt, pepper, ginger, cayenne pepper powder, etc.) It is in the Food Industry (yes, a little hard to get into from what I understand? Marketing is very crucial.). I know I will need to get FDA approval prior to any sales. I have looked through alibaba and similar sites, tried googling to find other wholesalers and I seem to run into one of two problems; 1) Either the manufacturer or wholesale only sell in bulk (by the tons) or 2) Buying small quantities, the price of purchasing is almost equal to the price others are selling at (not including shipping, taxes, import fees, packaging or anything else)
I have contemplated buying retail for an initial batch to see how the customer response is? Or going to "Bulk-Barn" a semi-wholesale retail store who may offer slightly better pricing (still not worth large scale production). Or contacting manufacturers who currently make the base products for what I am trying to put together (so like go to the store, find what company makes flour, then contact them and see if they would supply smaller batches or (not preferred) create my product?)
Creating a Brand (name), logo, website, packaging (design) is something I feel I could successfully do myself. I see this as the fun part! My younger sibling is getting into freelance digital drawing and I am very art-inclined as well. I've made websites in the past and with a little research am confident I can put together something nice. It is a dry product which would make packaging and store much easier.
Registering a company, trademarking, etc, I can worry about down the road yes?
Sales Channels? I mentioned amazon FBA as I figured it would be a good way to help get the ball rolling. However I have also been considering an alternative, as my aunt owns a clothing store and is "friends" (long time "business" relationship) with someone who owns a large niche-market grocery chain. (they have multiple, very successful stores around where I live.) My product would also fall into the same niche-demographic of this grocery chain. So I could pitch my product to them, or ask them to do a test in their store?
In my intro. I mentioned having an idea for a product which I would like to sell. What I would like to do in a nut-shell is (big picture) create said product, package and distribute it, with the end goal of having it in as many retail stores as possible.
The Market? Well I scoured the web for months looking for something to FBA on Amazon before I connected two and two together (this is something my father used to make for quite some time and when I was younger thought it would be a a good idea to sell, but had no idea how to go about it). I spent a fair amount of time (3-4months) looking for like products (other ideas as well) and researching other ideas, and did not come across any until very recently. I'd say about 2 -3weeks ago I have seen two companies (most likely private labels) on Amazon US selling a similar product, both got around 20-30 reviews in the first two weeks - Some good, some not so good. Their packaging is simple and their description/seo is fairly straight forward from what I see. Nothing being sold in Canada and being from here, I figured it might be better to start here first.
Is it a good idea/The Need? I believe it is. My dad originally started making it in the winters as it is very good for your health and helps prevent colds and upset stomach, etc. (although unless scientifically proven, I can not use that in advertisements right. However anyone in our family has not had a winter cold in the last few years.) I use it year round because it is very healthy and more so I really enjoy the flavour. There is also a convenience factor as can just take some of the product and I'm ready to go V.S. having to take out separate spices to crush and use. Anyone that comes over and tries it always asks what it is. My father actually packed it in his suitcase on a 10+ hour flight back home, people there (where these products come from) were asking him "What did you put in the ____, can You leave some for us before you go back home." (Its like if I had jerk chicken flavouring, went to South Africa and people there were in aw about how good the jerk was.) I actually have a friend who comes by and uses it in different food because he likes it that much.
Will it sell? That is an entirely different question.... And never having tried anything like this before do not know. Which is why I was hoping to start small with my initial investment. That and I only have so much funds to play around with.
[My Current Roadblock]
The part I have been struggling with for the past little while is sourcing the products to put together to create my product. (Ex: if I was making chicken seasoning, I need flour, salt, pepper, ginger, cayenne pepper powder, etc.) It is in the Food Industry (yes, a little hard to get into from what I understand? Marketing is very crucial.). I know I will need to get FDA approval prior to any sales. I have looked through alibaba and similar sites, tried googling to find other wholesalers and I seem to run into one of two problems; 1) Either the manufacturer or wholesale only sell in bulk (by the tons) or 2) Buying small quantities, the price of purchasing is almost equal to the price others are selling at (not including shipping, taxes, import fees, packaging or anything else)
I have contemplated buying retail for an initial batch to see how the customer response is? Or going to "Bulk-Barn" a semi-wholesale retail store who may offer slightly better pricing (still not worth large scale production). Or contacting manufacturers who currently make the base products for what I am trying to put together (so like go to the store, find what company makes flour, then contact them and see if they would supply smaller batches or (not preferred) create my product?)
Creating a Brand (name), logo, website, packaging (design) is something I feel I could successfully do myself. I see this as the fun part! My younger sibling is getting into freelance digital drawing and I am very art-inclined as well. I've made websites in the past and with a little research am confident I can put together something nice. It is a dry product which would make packaging and store much easier.
Registering a company, trademarking, etc, I can worry about down the road yes?
Sales Channels? I mentioned amazon FBA as I figured it would be a good way to help get the ball rolling. However I have also been considering an alternative, as my aunt owns a clothing store and is "friends" (long time "business" relationship) with someone who owns a large niche-market grocery chain. (they have multiple, very successful stores around where I live.) My product would also fall into the same niche-demographic of this grocery chain. So I could pitch my product to them, or ask them to do a test in their store?
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