How to go from an idea in your head to a physical product in your hands. We discuss sourcing, product development, China, and more.

1. Peter Keller
@petekeller
peter@fringesport.com

3. Process
1. Ideation
2. Factory Identification
3. Qualification and Pricing
4. Product Development and
Production
5. Shipping and Sales
6. Feedback Loop

4. Ideation
Blue Sky vs. Sourcing play vs. Tweak
Fixed vs. variable cost structure
Feasibility of low production runs
Domestic vs. China

5. Factory Identification
Alibaba
Panjiva
Trade shows (Canton Fair)
Sneakier methods

6. Qualification and Pricing
Factories vs. Traders
Hot Porridge Principal
3 Sources vs. Raw Material Method
Payment terms
Delivery
Should I go to China?

7. Product Development and Production
The EXPENSIVE free ride
QA

8. Shipping and Sales
Freight Forwarding
Air
Ocean
Customs
Liability
Sales channels

9. Feedback Loop
Often overlooked
Create meaningful changes in product
2nd round pricing negotiations

10. Peter Keller
@petekeller
peter@fringesport.com

11. Case Study: EdgeStar v. Frigidaire
$249 retail
<- $125 landed
$179 wholesale ->
Same Factory
Same Production Line
SAME FRIDGE

12. Case Study: Gym rings 1
US sourcing
$7k for tooling
+ variable cost
+ straps
China
$2500 for
100 sets landed
in Austin

13. Case Study: Gym rings 2
US Manufactured
Imported straps
No fixed cost
Co-dev

14. Case Study: Pullup Rig
Ground-up
design
Low variable
cost
Factory flexibility

15. Case Study: Speed Rope
Tweak
Market
differentiation

16. Project: CrossFit Watch
Blue-sky project