Question on Creating New Product(s)

[Dutch]

Hello everyone. I'm new here, so here goes:

I wish to create a product- not an original product, that is- though I don't know how to go about it, and I certainly don't want to get into educating myself on how to make them (myself). The first product is a leather belt. So I have collected various competitors' products, I have sketched out several designs of what I want, and I believe I am quite close to selecting two final drafts.

Now that I know what I want, precisely how do I go about getting a company to manufacture them for me? I don't need a large initial order, as I don't even have a prototype, though I would want someone to manufacture two prototypes- at least initially. If the prototypes (and their cost) are to my liking, I suppose further orders will be due of course.

Well, that's my question. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for having this forum, really! Glad to be here.

-Dutch

[Viper_One]

I once belonged to a computer club acting as Vice Pres. (1990's), and the Pres of the club owned a leather company in Eire, PA (that's all I will say about that), but if you call on small companies like that, those that import leather and form 'em into personal objects, you might stand a chance to cut-a-deal with the company. Okay. You might want to be careful hunting down any companies in China, and that's my gut feeling about this.

[tylerhutchinson]

Hey there,

Just to learn more about your business venture, are you wanting to make a business based on selling just belts, or is there more to it? Are these then going to be sold to public, or through deals with other companies (Wal-mart, Kohls)? Do you have start-up funds and have you created any sort of business plan/marketing plan?

For your question directly, it is fairly simple to research for different manufacturers online. You would want to think of a few things such as price, contract, and turn around to get you the product. Part of the marketing of it is where to get it as well. For example if you want the phrase "made in the USA" on it then you would need a manufacturer in the states somewhere. I would hunt around and get several bids/offers.

There are many freelance sites as well where you can submit it as a project. Most of these are for more technical things such as web design, but I have seen things like this to find an initial manufacturer and then work details out with them.

[Dutch]

Viper_One, Tyler- thanks a lot, really! And nice to meet you.

I didn't think of looking to hook up with small leather importers, but that's a very good idea since most likely they would be able to accommodate prototype/small orders.

Actually yes, Tyler: the business will be based on belts exclusively- at least for the start. The business plan itself was created because of two belt designs. I definitely would like to have a portal where consumers ("the public") can purchase them directly as they're not very big and expensive items, and when packaged properly their weight is not much either; but at the same time, I wouldn't mind having these items in Walmarts/Kohls/Target. Do I have funds to start? Yes, but not much, and I really want to see a prototype (manufacturing) before much else. And I finished my business plan a week ago, but it's not that big and doesn't call for intricate systems/capital sources etc.

I would definitely want these items to be made in the USA; actually it was American belts that got this whole thing going, so I'd want a US manufacturer for sure. But is that how it's done? Locate some US manufacturers that create belts or what not, ask them if they can create a prototype etc, send them designs, and move from there? I was under the impression that a minimum order was required even for an initial/prototype orders, which is what I mean by 'I have funds but not much'.

[TomasT]

I would also look into a leather supplier too. I know women love Italian leather but there are American leather suppliers too. By getting the leather directly, you'll probably save some money on the costs of the belts. As far as a leather maker, you may find a small or local leather craft company that could make the belts. If there are any metal buckles or other parts to the belt besides the crafting of the leather, again, you may want to find a supplier to save money. By finding separate suppliers for the leather and pieces of the belt, you only have to pay the leather crafter for their labor and not for any mark-up on their leather and belt supplies.