Resources and Insights for Turning a Business Idea into Reality
I’m curious to hear from other new business owners about strategies or resources that have helped them move beyond the idea stage and successfully launch their ventures.
I’m in the early stages of starting a business that involves sourcing multiple components from China, which will be packaged together and marketed to children ages 2-5. I’m looking for advice on how to effectively turn this concept into a tangible product, as well as any suggestions for reliable suppliers, partners, or services that can support this process.
Additionally, I’d appreciate recommendations for marketing agencies, business development firms, or other resources that have been particularly helpful in the local startup community.
Any insights on navigating this phase would be greatly appreciated!
I’m curious to hear from other new business owners about strategies or resources that have helped them move beyond the idea stage and successfully launch their ventures.
I’m in the early stages of starting a business that involves sourcing multiple components from China, which will be packaged together and marketed to children ages 2-5. I’m looking for advice on how to effectively turn this concept into a tangible product, as well as any suggestions for reliable suppliers, partners, or services that can support this process.
Additionally, I’d appreciate recommendations for marketing agencies, business development firms, or other resources that have been particularly helpful in the local startup community.
Any insights on navigating this phase would be greatly appreciated!
I really enjoyed the book Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan. The gist of the book is: find a way to test your idea before spending a dollar. You can find out if the idea is only good in your head real quick, but most of us don't want to do that because confirming that hurts.
As a person who has made websites for small businesses, I can only offer up my limited slice of experience: a lot of people go years deep and nearly bankrupt themselves before ever actually proving that anybody wants what they're selling. I'm not saying that's you, just to be clear. Merely a word of caution for anyone in your position.
To this day one of the worst experiences in my career remains a conversation I had with a guy who poured basically his life savings (at 55) into a thing that his friends all told him would be a great idea and they'd be 100% in on. Guess what happened when he finished it and offered it up to them to buy?
People are tricky, and the book makes a good case for road-testing your idea. If it's good you'll have money in your pocket without too much effort. If it's not, you'll find a curious amount of resistance, and that's valuable.
Do you already have a good Chinese network, too? If not, consider looking for someone with expertise there. I have manufactured items in China. You really want someone who can speak mandarin and has basic connections locally at the minimum.
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I really enjoyed the book Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan. The gist of the book is: find a way to test your idea before spending a dollar. You can find out if the idea is only good in your head real quick, but most of us don't want to do that because confirming that hurts.
As a person who has made websites for small businesses, I can only offer up my limited slice of experience: a lot of people go years deep and nearly bankrupt themselves before ever actually proving that anybody wants what they're selling. I'm not saying that's you, just to be clear. Merely a word of caution for anyone in your position.
To this day one of the worst experiences in my career remains a conversation I had with a guy who poured basically his life savings (at 55) into a thing that his friends all told him would be a great idea and they'd be 100% in on. Guess what happened when he finished it and offered it up to them to buy?
People are tricky, and the book makes a good case for road-testing your idea. If it's good you'll have money in your pocket without too much effort. If it's not, you'll find a curious amount of resistance, and that's valuable.
I've always thought there was an idea for an app or add-on to rent out unused hall/gym/court/ice time on an auction basis.
Just the hockey market, there is sooooo much ice that is unused and the fixed costs on these facilities are huge. Crazy hockey parents would totally scoop that time up and a slightly reduced rate. Same with Volleyball or whatever facilities. Lots of times these places are managed by some rink pig who doesn't give three flying F's and gladly do less work. Extras so you can invite other parties to share the costs and the facility doesn't have to do much.
Someone can steal this terrible idea I haven't thought thought through much.
I've always thought there was an idea for an app or add-on to rent out unused hall/gym/court/ice time on an auction basis.
Just the hockey market, there is sooooo much ice that is unused and the fixed costs on these facilities are huge. Crazy hockey parents would totally scoop that time up and a slightly reduced rate. Same with Volleyball or whatever facilities. Lots of times these places are managed by some rink pig who doesn't give three flying F's and gladly do less work. Extras so you can invite other parties to share the costs and the facility doesn't have to do much.
Someone can steal this terrible idea I haven't thought thought through much.
You're like the 15th thousand person to think of this idea. The issue is that rink owners don't give a ####.
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I’d look at local suppliers first for trying to get a proof of concept put together before you start engaging with overseas vendors. China can basically build anything you want, but you’ll get bogged down with quality control and dealing with customs, minimum order quantities, time-zone differences, and other headaches before you get to something polished.
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I knew it was bad but not that bad! Thanks A-hole. Last time I tell you my good ideas.
Ha ha, my friend built an app - mobile and web - that does the very thing you mention. Got something like two rinks to join. The City absolutely refused. He tried all over Canada, got the brush off from everywhere else.
This was years ago though, I think people back then thought that mobile apps were mystical voodoo.
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Resources and Insights for Turning a Business Idea into Reality
