Alternatives to product development companies

[carvalh3]

<div class="bbWrapper">Hi there Fastlane. I came across this community while looking for guidance on product development.<br /> <br /> I have a very simple product idea that I want to take to market, probably via Amazon. I created a jury-rigged prototype that performs the function of the product well, but it lacks the aesthetic appeal to actually sell. The product is very straightforward and easy to understand—likely made of plastic with no electronics or anything. From my research, there aren’t any comparable products to it.<br /> <br /> I’ve been in talks with product development companies, and honestly I like what they have to offer. I lack the expertise to: design a physical product, consider manufacturing needs, source to a manufacturer, etc..<br /> <br /> But between product development fees and setting up manufacturing, it seems a bit cost-prohibitive. I have looked into 3D printing via freelancers or small companies, but there is still an expertise gap I would have to overcome (how to aesthetically design it, how to get enough units to test the market, etc.).<br /> <br /> So the challenge ultimately is this: HOW do you go from a functional prototype TO having enough units of a sellable product so that you can test the market WHEN you&#039;re on a budget? I doubt there are easy answers to this question, but I would welcome any advice—or possible shortcuts.<br /> <br /> Thanks!</div>

 

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[Kid]

<div class="bbWrapper"><div class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--unfurl is-pending is-recrawl js-unfurl fauxBlockLink" data-unfurl="true" data-result-id="67488" data-url="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/is-there-a-way-to-pre-sell-to-an-amazon-product-that-hasnt-been-made-yet.93274/post-848946" data-host="www.thefastlaneforum.com" data-pending="true"> <div class="contentRow"> <div class="contentRow-figure contentRow-figure--fixedSmall js-unfurl-figure"> <img src="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/imgs/F512.png" loading="lazy" alt="www.thefastlaneforum.com" class="bbCodeBlockUnfurl-image" data-onerror="hide-parent"/> </div> <div class="contentRow-main"> <h3 class="contentRow-header js-unfurl-title"> <a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/is-there-a-way-to-pre-sell-to-an-amazon-product-that-hasnt-been-made-yet.93274/post-848946" class="link link--internal fauxBlockLink-blockLink" target="" rel="" data-proxy-href=""> Is there a way to pre-sell to an Amazon product that hasn&#039;t been made yet </a> </h3> <div class="contentRow-snippet js-unfurl-desc">I design and manufacture my own product. Is there a way to get pre-sales going for a product that hasn&#039;t been made yet, but soon will be available on amazon? I&#039;d like to minimize the risk, see how many sales I can get - and use that money to get stock. Can I use that money later and enter...</div> <div class="contentRow-minor contentRow-minor--hideLinks"> <span class="js-unfurl-favicon"> <img src="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/imgs/favicon.png" loading="lazy" alt="www.thefastlaneforum.com" class="bbCodeBlockUnfurl-icon" data-onerror="hide-parent"/> </span> www.thefastlaneforum.com </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--unfurl js-unfurl fauxBlockLink" data-unfurl="true" data-result-id="16414" data-url="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/all-you-need-are-samples.62635/" data-host="www.thefastlaneforum.com" data-pending="false"> <div class="contentRow"> <div class="contentRow-figure contentRow-figure--fixedSmall js-unfurl-figure"> <img src="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/data/assets/logo/fastlane_discussion_og.png" loading="lazy" alt="www.thefastlaneforum.com" class="bbCodeBlockUnfurl-image" data-onerror="hide-parent"/> </div> <div class="contentRow-main"> <h3 class="contentRow-header js-unfurl-title"> <a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/all-you-need-are-samples.62635/" class="link link--internal fauxBlockLink-blockLink" target="" rel="" data-proxy-href=""> HOT! - All you need are samples. </a> </h3> <div class="contentRow-snippet js-unfurl-desc">The reason I&#039;m making this thread is because I wish I read this six months ago. Back then, my mindset was that I needed inventory, needed a website, and needed to have something on hand to deliver if anyone ever asked. And here&#039;s what I found: 99% of purchase commitments can be made off of...</div> <div class="contentRow-minor contentRow-minor--hideLinks"> <span class="js-unfurl-favicon"> <img src="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/data/assets/logo/Fastlane32.png" loading="lazy" alt="www.thefastlaneforum.com" class="bbCodeBlockUnfurl-icon" data-onerror="hide-parent"/> </span> www.thefastlaneforum.com </div> </div> </div> </div> <br /> Here you go.</div>

 

[Guest24480]

<div class="bbWrapper">I recommend reading One Simple Idea by Stephen Key. It talks about licensing your idea to companies where they handle production and you get a royalty %.</div>

 

[carvalh3]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 38382" data-quote="Kid" data-source="post: 868137" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=868137" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-868137">Kid said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> <div class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--unfurl is-pending is-recrawl js-unfurl fauxBlockLink" data-unfurl="true" data-result-id="67488" data-url="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/is-there-a-way-to-pre-sell-to-an-amazon-product-that-hasnt-been-made-yet.93274/post-848946" data-host="www.thefastlaneforum.com" data-pending="true"> <div class="contentRow"> <div class="contentRow-figure contentRow-figure--fixedSmall js-unfurl-figure"> <img src="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/imgs/F512.png" loading="lazy" alt="www.thefastlaneforum.com" class="bbCodeBlockUnfurl-image" data-onerror="hide-parent"/> </div> <div class="contentRow-main"> <h3 class="contentRow-header js-unfurl-title"> <a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/is-there-a-way-to-pre-sell-to-an-amazon-product-that-hasnt-been-made-yet.93274/post-848946" class="link link--internal fauxBlockLink-blockLink" target="" rel="" data-proxy-href=""> Is there a way to pre-sell to an Amazon product that hasn&#039;t been made yet </a> </h3> <div class="contentRow-snippet js-unfurl-desc">I design and manufacture my own product. Is there a way to get pre-sales going for a product that hasn&#039;t been made yet, but soon will be available on amazon? I&#039;d like to minimize the risk, see how many sales I can get - and use that money to get stock. Can I use that money later and enter...</div> <div class="contentRow-minor contentRow-minor--hideLinks"> <span class="js-unfurl-favicon"> <img src="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/imgs/favicon.png" loading="lazy" alt="www.thefastlaneforum.com" class="bbCodeBlockUnfurl-icon" data-onerror="hide-parent"/> </span> www.thefastlaneforum.com </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--unfurl js-unfurl fauxBlockLink" data-unfurl="true" data-result-id="16414" data-url="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/all-you-need-are-samples.62635/" data-host="www.thefastlaneforum.com" data-pending="false"> <div class="contentRow"> <div class="contentRow-figure contentRow-figure--fixedSmall js-unfurl-figure"> <img src="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/data/assets/logo/fastlane_discussion_og.png" loading="lazy" alt="www.thefastlaneforum.com" class="bbCodeBlockUnfurl-image" data-onerror="hide-parent"/> </div> <div class="contentRow-main"> <h3 class="contentRow-header js-unfurl-title"> <a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/all-you-need-are-samples.62635/" class="link link--internal fauxBlockLink-blockLink" target="" rel="" data-proxy-href=""> HOT! - All you need are samples. </a> </h3> <div class="contentRow-snippet js-unfurl-desc">The reason I&#039;m making this thread is because I wish I read this six months ago. Back then, my mindset was that I needed inventory, needed a website, and needed to have something on hand to deliver if anyone ever asked. And here&#039;s what I found: 99% of purchase commitments can be made off of...</div> <div class="contentRow-minor contentRow-minor--hideLinks"> <span class="js-unfurl-favicon"> <img src="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/data/assets/logo/Fastlane32.png" loading="lazy" alt="www.thefastlaneforum.com" class="bbCodeBlockUnfurl-icon" data-onerror="hide-parent"/> </span> www.thefastlaneforum.com </div> </div> </div> </div> <br /> Here you go. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Super interesting ideas here, thank you. The pre-selling before inventory route is something I hadn&#039;t considered, but it makes a ton of sense to me.</div>

 

[carvalh3]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 24480" data-quote="holmzee" data-source="post: 868142" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=868142" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-868142">holmzee said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> I recommend reading One Simple Idea by Stephen Key. It talks about licensing your idea to companies where they handle production and you get a royalty %. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> I&#039;ll give it a read, thanks.</div>

 

[DaisyH]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 79191" data-quote="carvalh3" data-source="post: 868132" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=868132" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-868132">carvalh3 said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Hi there Fastlane. I came across this community while looking for guidance on product development.<br /> <br /> I have a very simple product idea that I want to take to market, probably via Amazon. I created a jury-rigged prototype that performs the function of the product well, but it lacks the aesthetic appeal to actually sell. The product is very straightforward and easy to understand—likely made of plastic with no electronics or anything. From my research, there aren’t any comparable products to it.<br /> <br /> I’ve been in talks with product development companies, and honestly I like what they have to offer. I lack the expertise to: design a physical product, consider manufacturing needs, source to a manufacturer, etc..<br /> <br /> But between product development fees and setting up manufacturing, it seems a bit cost-prohibitive. I have looked into 3D printing via freelancers or small companies, but there is still an expertise gap I would have to overcome (how to aesthetically design it, how to get enough units to test the market, etc.).<br /> <br /> So the challenge ultimately is this: HOW do you go from a functional prototype TO having enough units of a sellable product so that you can test the market WHEN you&#039;re on a budget? I doubt there are easy answers to this question, but I would welcome any advice—or possible shortcuts.<br /> <br /> Thanks! </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> <br /> Hi,<br /> <br /> Welcome to the forum...it&#039;s an ideal place to learn and be inspired.<br /> <br /> I&#039;m from Canada too and went down this same path- ironically enough with both a product development company and with a plastic product.<br /> <br /> Hit me up with a pm and we can chat further and I&#039;ll help you in any way I can.<br /> <br /> Cheers.</div>

 

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[carvalh3]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 27405" data-quote="DaisyH" data-source="post: 868412" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=868412" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-868412">DaisyH said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Hi,<br /> <br /> Welcome to the forum...it&#039;s an ideal place to learn and be inspired.<br /> <br /> I&#039;m from Canada too and went down this same path- ironically enough with both a product development company and with a plastic product.<br /> <br /> Hit me up with a pm and we can chat further and I&#039;ll help you in any way I can.<br /> <br /> Cheers. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Thank you! Will PM you.</div>

 

[carvalh3]

<div class="bbWrapper">Thought I&#039;d post this, partly out of gratefulness to this community and partly as a lesson for anyone else working on ideas.<br /> <br /> I&#039;ve unfortunately had a major setback on my project. When I initially came up with the idea, I scoured the internet to see if it already existed. I didn&#039;t find anything, so I proceeded. However, I just found out that a patent was filed last year for what is basically my product. It was buried in a database with some different verbiage.<br /> <br /> I&#039;m disappointed, but I&#039;m choosing to look on the bright side. Because of the advice I got on FastLane, I was able to discover this issue before I invested a lot of time and money. So LESSON 1 for me: don&#039;t just search for products to see if anyone already sells your idea—search patent databases using different verbiage to see if it already exists. Interestingly, this was one of the lessons that the author of &quot;One Simple Idea&quot; learned the hard way—thank you holmzee for recommending this book!</div>

 

[PizzaOnTheRoof]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 79191" data-quote="carvalh3" data-source="post: 870470" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=870470" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-870470">carvalh3 said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Thought I&#039;d post this, partly out of gratefulness to this community and partly as a lesson for anyone else working on ideas.<br /> <br /> I&#039;ve unfortunately had a major setback on my project. When I initially came up with the idea, I scoured the internet to see if it already existed. I didn&#039;t find anything, so I proceeded. However, I just found out that a patent was filed last year for what is basically my product. It was buried in a database with some different verbiage.<br /> <br /> I&#039;m disappointed, but I&#039;m choosing to look on the bright side. Because of the advice I got on FastLane, I was able to discover this issue before I invested a lot of time and money. So LESSON 1 for me: don&#039;t just search for products to see if anyone already sells your idea—search patent databases using different verbiage to see if it already exists. Interestingly, this was one of the lessons that the author of &quot;One Simple Idea&quot; learned the hard way—thank you holmzee for recommending this book! </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>Can you improve the product in any way to get past the patent?<br /> <br /> I&#039;m working on a product and there&#039;s a utility patent for basically my design BUT I&#039;ve got ideas to majorly improve it and sell it to a different market.<br /> <br /> <b>Remember: Patents only matter if you protect them.</b> Not only am I changing the existing product, but I don&#039;t think they&#039;d pursue me anyway. They&#039;re in MUCH bigger markets (military, foreign aid, etc).</div>