Best approach to sourcing for bundles?

[Late Start]

I've hit not so much of a roadblock, but a speedbump, and could use some input. I started out a couple of months ago planning to dip my toes into FBA. My goal was to research and find a promising product, give it a spin as an experiment, and go from there. In my research, however, I came across a niche that I think has a lot of promise - the competition is thin (there are only two brands, though one is so successful Amazon buys directly from them), and I think there is room for me if I can deliver on quality and marketing.

Now I've got something I'm excited about, that I think I can build a brand around (for both FBA and non-Amazon channels), and I know there are manufacturers out there who can and do make the products, but so far I haven't had a lot of luck hitting up suppliers on Aliexpress and Alibaba. Usually I find one that is selling one of the products that I am planning to bundle, and I send them an inquiry mentioning that product and specifying the other products I am looking for, what my target audience is, etc. I provide Amazon links to similar products and brands to provide an example of what I am looking for.

Most suppliers have replied either with a brief, generic description of what sort of wares they offer, or send me brief replies of pics of what they feel would fit said market (usually nothing related to what I specified in the initial inquiry), or don't reply at all. Is sourcing a game of casting a wide net and hoping to get a few good fish, or do I need to be taking a different approach instead of messaging suppliers who look like they might be a good fit?

I noticed on their Facebook group that www.fbaimporters.com (Anthony Monfet's company) is now offering sourcing services, with their cut being 5% of the total order, minimum order of $5000. However, if you sign up for one of their coaching packages, they wave the 5% fee and the minimum $ amount, as they know coaching clients are going to have different budgets.

What I'm looking at is something I will want custom branding and packaging for, PPC campaigns, the whole nine yards, so coaching and consultation probably wouldn't be the worst idea, but at the same time, I'm on a limited budget, and don't want to spend money that needs to go to actual inventory on coaching/consulting.

I have a feeling I'm not the only one who has found themselves a little stuck at this point - any pointers on jumping this hurdle and getting to the sample testing phase?

 

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