Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi all.

Have to say this is a great site and forum.  Tons of useful information and I`m hoping to learn even more starting with this post.

I am planning to start a medical supply store online with a focus on folks with dimentia.  I had a father with Alzheimer`s disease and experienced firsthand what products were helpful and how some of those could be improved.  With the unfortunate growth predicted I believe this could truly be helpful to people and an opportunity (the best of both worlds).  My big sticking point thus far is the following:

- How to source potential suppliers?  This is a biggie as there are tons of sites out there that claim to be wholesalers that really are retailers.

I`m working on my business plan that I hope to have a fairly complete version of shortly.  However, I`m looking for more information or a mentor to help me on my journey.  Any references you may have, please forward my way.

Thank you all in advance.  Exctied to be here.

Mike

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Mike
http://www.classiccards.com

Hmm...I don`t really have expertise in wholesaling, but we`re sort of looking at a similar problem as we investigate bulk manufacturing.

My solution, for now, is to start a database (or spreadsheet) for notes. What I want is a way to make sure I don`t go back over the same pathway repeatedly.

So if I have Product-1, I start looking for suppliers. Each time I find a name, I can enter it into the database, along with Product-1, and some notes as to what problems were involved (or what benefits).

That way I can call up "Product 1" and get a report of everywhere I`ve been, who was helpful, and who was just a re-seller. Would that help?

Craig,

Thank you very much as that is very helpful.  I would imagine it would be very frustrating to go down the same path constantly. 

My other thought is to find some "off the beaten path" stores and find products that I`d like to have on my site.  Then either contact that company as a potential supplier.  Finding a product at Walmart/etc wouldn`t make much sense as they are obviously going for volume and would be tough to compete with them. 

I guess the key is finding as many of the product creators as possible and trying to work out distribution deals. 

I will say one thing, this is certainly a learning experience.

Thanks

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Mike
http://www.classiccards.com

Y`know, you could create a "consolidated" site dedicated to Alzheimer`s disease. By that, I mean a place where a person can 1-stop-shop for the latest articles, latest research, historic problems, care-giving solutions, and a forum.

That way, you could build a directory for services and products, without having to waste your time trying to resell who-knows-what yourself. With a directory, you could probably get a percentage for any item sold through your site. I`m not sure on the technology, but talk with a good Web developer.

The key would be a centralized location for anyone involved with the problem. You might also link or create a support group. Maybe?

(I see that "www.dealingwithalzheimers.com" is open and available. You might want to go with the .ORG domain, in case you eventually go with a not-for-profit.)

Excellent idea. I actually kicked this around a few years back (great procrastinator). I actually already registered withalzheimers.com a few years back.

Great idea. Thanks.

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Mike
http://www.classiccards.com

Hah!! :-D So ya had this idear years ago, eh...?  And ya says ya wanted to percastinate about it, eh....?

LOL!! C`mon...a Good Idea comes along, and you`ve been messin` with it, messin` with it....and now you propose your modification and some stranger out of nowhere brings you right back to where you started. Wouldn`t you think it might be a higher consciousness sort of giving you a "nudge?"

Ferget the higher consciousness. It just seems reasonable that you`re going through problems trying to find someone else to manufacture things you want to sell for lower than they`re willing to sell their own products. Plus, countless people think they`ll make zillions selling someone else`s stuff.

But Information is King! If you want a repeatable, creative product you have some control over, I`d take yet a third look at "information broker." :-D

I did some work for an online medical supply store. http://www.southwestmedicals.com/ 

The have a variety of products. But you might try contacting the owner an ask about sources of product.

~Roland

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