Hi Everyone,

I am new to the group and semi-new to self employment.  My friend and I are in the process of starting up a new business.  We have chosen to wait until after the first of the year to file all of the necessary paperwork to do so.  We are also going to start it as a sideline, until it hopefully takes over and allows us to walk away from our current jobs. 

In the meanwhile, we have been busy doing as much as possible, in hopes of having nearly everything ready to go when things are finally established. 

Through all of this, I have contacted a number of different companies, in a number of different industries to line up materials, tags, packaging, and delivery times for our products.  I asked one company if they had a manufacturer they could recommend that was 1) familiar with their materials 2) established with their company (as far as payment, shipping and such) and 3) known for producing quality items- nothing.  Another company did give me a quote on one product, but when I asked about having other items made from the same materials- no response.

Nothing. No response.  Not just one company, but several of them.  I have filled out their online information request forms, emailed, etc., in trying to keep everything separate from the current job, with little to no responses coming back.

Is there a secret way to unlock the door and be taken seriously?  Do they just not want or need any new customers or more business? Even in this economy?  Any suggestions for gaining credibility? 

I am in no way whining, but can't get in touch with anyone to get any relevant information or set up accounts.  I am just somewhat shocked by this, as it is not the way to do business. 

Thanks in advance for your help and any information you can provide. 

Linda

EEnvy

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One way I gain credibility when talking with new factories/suppliers/etc is direct them to my website, and tell them I'm the owner and what products I sell.

They check out my site, see how extensive it is, and see that I'm a real company interested in doing business with them.

If they google me, they'll see lots of information about my company too, reviews and feedback postings from customers, etc, and see that I've been around for a few years.

I also give them my phone number. My email address is also myname@mycompany.com

That said, some of these companies are just busy. So sometimes, giving them a call is  the best thing you can do, then followup with an email with the above information (your website, line of business, etc.)

Once you have established a relationship with these companies, it becomes easy to just send an email to them to ask something or order something in the future. I can fire up an email and ask for 50 pcs of so-and-so, and tell them to charge the credit card I have on file with them. One email, boom- done.

Since you are a new startup, they of course are a little wary of talking to you. They don't know if you're a fly-by-night just conning them or if you're just wasting their tme.

So showing them an actual working, ecommerce website, they'll be more likely to talk to you further and treat you seriously.

Also, money talks. It also helps if you place even a small order with them (say you want to order one or two pieces of their product) so you can check it out, and give them your CC over the phone to the sales guy/gal.

Or you can request for a sample of their X product, and say you'll gladly pay for shipping. Usually, they'll just ship the sample product to you at no cost.

It might help to try local manufacturers or less known manufactures. Also join trade associations in your industry, network with professionals in the field offline and online in sites such as linkedn. You might need to work in a business involved in the product chain for your industry also. What the big companies look for is experience and knowledge (which you can get by working in the field and networking). One of the hardest parts of starting a business is well...starting it. You want to have all your ducks in a row before it goes live, my friend, that will most likely never happen. Just get started, do what you can, once you already start doors will begin to open. Most if not all companies will not consider doing business with a company that does not exist.

Al Delgado

www.businessideascoach.com

Thank you both for the ideas.  I am currently a consumer and the manufacturer at the moment.  I have been buying these materials to use in making my products, so I contacted the fabric manufacturers to gain more information about each one.

Here's the rundown on the whole situation. Maybe this will provide a little more insight. 

 

The first company- I contacted to ask about the breathability of their fabric. Since I am using it in a market they have not explored, they showed a keen interest. A few more emails were exchanged, where I explained the startup would be coming soon, it is a fresh, untouched market for them and I was keeping it under wraps at the moment. When launched I would be more than happy to share the information as they could use it promoting their product as well.  Then I asked them for a reference for a manufacturer.  No response.

Second company- I asked about the temperature ranges their insulation product worked best at?  Single layer? Double layers? (This would be outdoors, so it would be good to know.) I filled out their online forms twice asking for the information.  Asking as a consumer, as I have and continue to use their products. No response. This would also be a fresh, untouched market for them as well. Still no response.

Third company- I emailed asking about one of their products. I received information which doesn't match up with the information on the sample card I received through one of their distributors. I emailed a picture of the sample card, showing the discrepancy and politely asked about it...  no reply as of yet.  This is again, another fresh, untouched market for them too.

Fourth company- A manufacturer I found through an online search. Emails were exchanged and they were willing to look at a sample and qoute me on their price and delivery.  I sent them a sample and awaited their response.  The quote I received only reflected their price and a minimum quantity- no delivery time.  I thanked them, asked about delivery and asked if they could also quote me on a few other items which could be made from the same materials.  I would gladly provide samples as needed, just let me know. Since their quote reflected a quantity based on their minimum yardage purchase of the fabrics involved, would this affect or change the minimum or the price of the original item quoted?  If so, please let me know.  Again- no response.

 

Any ideas? 

 

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