So after reading a few threads on the forum, I have decided to make a startup.

You might have read my thread about my music productions, I have a progress thread for that as well, and I have slowed that down a little, but still very serious about pursuing that.

- In the past week, I have researched products on Etsy, eBay, Amazon, and google trends, and I have found a good niche with a specific product. (It is not necessarily a necessity, but most households have these, and they are a relatively new invention and just getting popular in the market, but definitely a product I see people turning to soon if not now.)
- It is scalable, but also easy to start off slow.
- The profit margins are pretty good, a little over 50%.
- I have contacted a few manufacturers, I am narrowing down the ones to get samples from, and also trying to find some with a little smaller MOQ's.
- I have picked a business name, and a website. I am going to register it soon and purchase the domain.

I plan on selling on eBay and Amazon first, as well as my website and in person a little if it is worth it. I plan on scaling up and expanding my product line, where I can then sell the product in "sets". I will contact companies, and market to try and supply companies/small businesses with this product as well.

The questions I have are:

1) Should I get samples, test them, and sort of test the market with them before registering my business name and website?

2) Can anyone refer me to an article for setting up an eCommerce website or give advice on what is best? I was thinking of using Webs.com or Wix.com

3) I have been thinking about branding, but should I? It would be nice if people could spread my product by word of mouth and what not, and they would need a brand for that.

4) I was thinking about just getting into the field and being active about this and talking to potential businesses, do I need to wait until after I have a product in hand, or have more together in terms of the business?

5) With ordering from the manufacturer, will these freight shipments come to my house, since I am working from the home ATM? I do not know exactly how this works, asking questions is the only way I'll learn.

6) Do I need a separate company for packaging? If so, how can I set this up, with the product coming to me from the manufacturer?

7) Lastly, when I go out and if I land deals with small businesses, how do I transport large quantities to them? I have a truck, and these are fairly small units I believe, but what if they need over 1000?

Thank you! I am very excited to see what happens in the coming weeks I am going to keep updates every time I make progress, or at the very least once every week/2 weeks.

-Tyrel (Genium)

Hrm, I really feel a lot of these questions (all of them) have answers around the forum, and / or if you're interested in doing any research.

BUT. I'm in a good mood (happens for 5 minutes every day).

1. Samples. Yes. Business name - umm, if your business name is just one product, yeah probably should wait. By why not just call it "Honest John's Imported Goods" (You get the idea, get a generic but brandable name)

2. Look around. Apparently BigCommerce is what gets used by the big boys around here.

3. Yes.

4. Dont worry about waiting. Just sell. Better to have too many orders, than too few. Then work hard to satisfy all the orders, of course.

5. Get shipping costs for delivery to your door/warehouse

6. Supplier will package the goods for you. I think thats what you're asking? Seems like a strange question.

7. If they need over 1000 hiring a bigger truck will be a pleasure.

Good luck. You're going to need it.

Genium said:

3) I have been thinking about branding, but should I? It would be nice if people could spread my product by word of mouth and what not, and they would need a brand for that.

Click to expand...

Yes

"You will:

Protect yourself to a better degree from knock offs
Over time be able to charge more for your products compared to the exact same thing
Actually establish a business and a brand which you can resell.
Have interaction with your customers when they register their product.
ummmm I am sure there are more but my caffeine level is falling off.



Case in point Generic creatine can sell for $10 for a kg. Name brand creatine form a well respected company can sell for $30. BUT they both cost the EXACT same amount for the company so the profit on #2 is so MUCH MORE!"

From our old friend PatrickP Michael Plante - For the LOVE of PETE!!!!!!!!!!! BRAND yourself, your products and your company!

Talisman said:

Hrm, I really feel a lot of these questions (all of them) have answers around the forum, and / or if you're interested in doing any research.

BUT. I'm in a good mood (happens for 5 minutes every day).

1. Samples. Yes. Business name - umm, if your business name is just one product, yeah probably should wait. By why not just call it "Honest John's Imported Goods" (You get the idea, get a generic but brandable name)

2. Look around. Apparently BigCommerce is what gets used by the big boys around here.

3. Yes.

4. Dont worry about waiting. Just sell. Better to have too many orders, than too few. Then work hard to satisfy all the orders, of course.

5. Get shipping costs for delivery to your door/warehouse

6. Supplier will package the goods for you. I think thats what you're asking? Seems like a strange question.

7. If they need over 1000 hiring a bigger truck will be a pleasure.

Good luck. You're going to need it.

Click to expand...

I have done some research and I definitely have more to do. I felt like asking the forum because with the people on here that have had success it is probably the best place to go to learn, but I understand I need to research on my own.

Isn't the business name/trademark the same as my brand? I have chosen a brand name, and I am just going to register everything under it.

Awesome, I will check out BigCommerce for sure. I am also using the trial membership on UnBounce to test my landing page.

True that about starting ASAP, I can even talk to the place I am working at and see if they are interested. I have a lot to learn about sales though.

About packaging, I was referring to more aesthetically pleasing packaging, if the manufacturers isn't good.

Thank you for the quick reply and the feedback, I really appreciate it!

Everything you need to know:


How You Can Make Big Money Importing From China – The Rise and Fall of My Empire… by Will Mitchell

Genium said:

I have done some research and I definitely have more to do. I felt like asking the forum because with the people on here that have had success it is probably the best place to go to learn, but I understand I need to research on my own.

Isn't the business name/trademark the same as my brand? I have chosen a brand name, and I am just going to register everything under it.

Awesome, I will check out BigCommerce for sure. I am also using the trial membership on UnBounce to test my landing page.

True that about starting ASAP, I can even talk to the place I am working at and see if they are interested. I have a lot to learn about sales though.

About packaging, I was referring to more aesthetically pleasing packaging, if the manufacturers isn't good.

Thank you for the quick reply and the feedback, I really appreciate it!

Click to expand...

The business name and brand name aren't necessarily the same, but most of the time it is.

Good man using Unbounce to test everything

Packaging is tough and expensive, but there is an opportunity to gain competitive advantage through it. There's even more opportunity in mixing items and selling a kit or set of something.

Whatever works! Sounds like you're well on your way. Just don't stop taking action and you'll get there.

Good luck,
Will