Spark & Hustle by Tory Johnson

Author:Tory Johnson [Johnson, Tory]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781101580912
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2012-06-05T00:00:00+00:00

AMELIA LOCK’S LOOK AT FINDING A MANUFACTURER

To find manufacturers for my Amelia Rose Designs jewelry (ameliarosedesign.com), Google is the starting point. When I find a possibility, I ask how they treat their employees, whether they are certified and up to code, and about their customer service. I ask to see samples of their work and whether they will sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA). A good company will not release the names of other designers they work for and they’re happy to sign an NDA.

If someone is willing to work with you for almost nothing, watch out: nothing is free and some things are too good to be true. Watch out for slick types who smell a newbie. I was clueless at first when it came to manufacturing, and one manufacturer took advantage of that.

I always test-drive a manufacturer with a sample.

I found one small company in upstate New York on the Web, a family-run business, and we had a few hiccups at first. They took every piece back, didn’t charge me to fix them and never said, “That wasn’t our fault.” When I find a good manufacturer, I stick with them.

When looking for a manufacturer, consider the following:

• Ask questions. If the first person you call doesn’t do what you need, ask them if they know anyone who does.

• Have samples of your vision to present to the manufacturer. You will be taken more seriously and get a better quote if someone can see what you want.

• Remember, you are doing them a favor, not the other way around. Don’t shy away from demanding answers.

• Always ask your manufacturer for suggestions on ways to cut costs or manufacture in a more efficient way.

• Get multiple bids. You won’t know if the price, quality or production schedule is the right fit for you until you compare multiple proposals from a variety of manufacturers. Shop around before settling.

• Negotiate. Everything from price to turnaround time is negotiable.

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