We had the pleasure of talking to Jason Vuong, Co-founder of ‘Apupment’, a boutique pet furniture and lifestyle product brand, that is bringing craftsmanship, soul and sustainability to the furry friends market. 

We did talk to Jason some time ago and are only getting to release this episode now, so the brand has gone on to create some updated products since we last spoke, however this episode is jam packed with great insights into manufacturing locally and sourcing materials that are more bespoke and specialty.

I can’t wait to get chatting about the use of their sustainably certified wood sources, Giving meaning to your product brand and shipping a product that would traditionally be seen as too and heavy for ecommerce. 

The Key Topic Discussions:

• What drives you to open your own product business
• Seeing gaps in markets that may seem saturated already
• Splitting brand personas and personalities
• How to check out what your competitors are doing
• Where to start when sourcing sustainable materials
• Small Batch manufacturing 
• The product development time line is continuous
• Flat packing and designing the perfect packaging for shipping your product
• Choosing local manufacturers over overseas manufacturers
• Reducing your cost of goods by being smarter and batch producing
• Connecting family in business and empowering your brand with a deeper meaning
• Thinking about the longevity of your product and how it can be repaired
• How the products we create affect the mood of our environment
• The challenge of shipping and couriers using local transportation companies
• Thinking through the online sales process the from start to finish
• Layering the product development process one step at a time 
• Going from E-commerce to selling to direct customer in-person
• Considering wholesale trade shows for your brand and exhibit designs
• How to find a product designer or furniture designer to help you

Resources For You:

• VicAsh Timber Supplies - https://ash.com.au/
• Tiger Pack for low minimum packaging - https://www.tigerpak.com.au/
• Apupment Website - https://www.apupment.com.au/
• Apupment Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/apupment/

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Show Notes & Pro Tips - on our website.
www.theproductfounders.com

Wondering if today’s episode is for you? In this episode we tackle the topic of where to find manufacturers for your budding product idea, both locally and overseas. (This podcast is based in Australia)

It’s one thing to have an idea, but it’s another to finally start actioning those plans and start the sampling process. Let’s get into it product founders!

Part 2 of our choosing a manufacturer series. Please go back to listen to Part 1 for the difference between different types of manufacturers. 

We are discussing a topic of the utmost interest to our new product founders:
How do you find a manufacturer for your product idea?

We’ll be chatting about both overseas manufacturers such as China, India, Vietnam and Europe and local or Domestic manufacturing, and  local suppliers in Australia. 

The topics  we will smash through in today’s episode  include:

• Researching online
• Using Online Directories such as Alibaba
• Traveling to sourcing fairs such as the Canton Fair
• Traveling to the country of manufacture
• Using an agency
• Utilizing your networks
• Utilizing local manufacturers

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Show Notes & Pro Tips - on our website.
www.theproductfounders.com

In this episode we are talking about the advantages and disadvantages of going local or overseas for your product manufacturing. What kind of manufacturer should you use and what’s the difference?

If you are wondering where to start on your hunt for a manufacturer, then this episode is for you!

It’s about choosing the right manufacturer for you and your products, whether that is local to your country or overseas. 

We will go through:

• The basics on what a manufacturer is and the different types.
• The advantages and disadvantages of overseas and local production.
• Choosing the right type of manufacturer for you.
• Why you need both local and overseas manufacturer options.
• Talking about overseas manufacturers in China, India, Vietnam and Europe
• Talking about domestic or local suppliers in Australia. 
• How to approach a manufacturer when you are ready

Will you ever find the best manufacturer for your product?

YES! and we're going to help you to do it, right here, right now - We got you!

FULL SHOW NOTES:
https://www.theproductfounders.com/show-notes/ep4overseasmanufacturers

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Show Notes & Pro Tips - on our website.
www.theproductfounders.com

In this episode we’re going through your product development checklist! All the things that you need to have in place to start developing your dream idea into a real product and ordering your first bulk production.

This episode is a great one for those who are just starting to think about taking the leap and creating a prototype for their product idea and developing out an initial range.

We’ll go through a few designer tips and manufacturing tricks on what you need to get the ball rolling!

Save this episode as it will definitely be one to refer to again later.

The 15 key checklist points you need to go through:

1. Do your Market Research
2. Trademark your brand 
3. Be clear on your Product’s Purpose
4. Lay out the Development Budget
5. Spend time on Range Development
6. Have Material Samples and References
7. Create a Design Pack and Specifications Sheet
8. Create the packaging design
9. Find a minimum of 2 suitable Manufacturers
10. Ask for Product Samples
11. Access the quality of the samples in depth
12. Make comments to the manufacturer
13. Forecast your sales units
14. Complete your product costings
15. Order your first bulk

Where to find product and graphic designers?
1. Air Tasker
2. Freelancer
3. Fiverr
4. Linked In
5. Instagram
6. Design Agencies

Don’t forget to follow the show and subscribe to get the latest episodes in your “to listen to” list.

Reviews also help the podcast to grow! Please leave a short review if you have the time to spare, I appreciate it so much.

Have a great week aspiring product founders and don’t be afraid to get started!

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Show Notes & Pro Tips - on our website.
www.theproductfounders.com

In this episode we talk to product founder Pippa Oostergetel, from Squeak Design. We dive deep into:

• Why are manufacturer relationships are so important?
• Why are big MOQs risky?
• Why should you think about the whole product journey?
• How do you start working with an overseas manufacturer?
• How do you prepare for big mistakes that will inevitably happen to all product based businesses at one point or another?

After graduating from her degree in textile design, Pippa scored a coveted job role as designer for kitchen and homewares company, designing prints for products like bed linen, tea towels and aprons.
 
  However after a couple of years something was blatantly obvious - she was very bored in her current role. Opening her product based business ‘Squeak Design’ in 2013 as an initial creative outlet and side hustle, then quickly moving it into a full time gig.

After a decade in business and building up to over 17k instagram followers, Squeak Design continues to offer luxury lifestyle and fashion products that capture the layered and beautiful water colour designs that Pippa creates by hand. 

Let’s get to the interview to see what insights Pippa has to offer in the sections, The Pathway, The Product, The Process, The Problems and The Pro Tips…

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Show Notes & Pro Tips - on our website.
www.theproductfounders.com

In this episode we’re talking about terminology! And all the abbreviated terms, words and phrases that are most commonly used in product development. 

It's is a great one for newbies to the product development process and product business world, but also a fantastic refresher for those that may have been out of the industry for a while.
 
  Download the The Talkin' Terminology Glossary List  that we step through here:
  www.theproductfounders.com
 
Term Break Down Topics:

• Design
• Manufacturing
• Shipping
• Selling
• Industry

  This episode really is a cornerstone to what we are going to discuss deeper into the podcast season. Our guests may use this terminology throughout their interviews as well, so it’s great to get your head around all this lingo. 

It’s important to know these glossary terms as you will later find them to be a crucial part in the product development and negotiation processes.

So save this episode in the memory bank as it will definitely be one to refer to again later!

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Join our Facebook community - The Product Founders Inner Circle @theproductfounders

Show Notes & Pro Tips - on our website.
www.theproductfounders.com