I ask because most of the posts I read here are from service providers. And while a decent amount of the info is relatable, I’d love to hear from people who sell physical products and have to deal with manufacturing, inventory, wholesale/retail/ecom sales, etc.
As for my business, I own and game company (board games, card games). My two current titles are aimed at kids 3 and up. My next title (going into production shortly) will be same demo, then the following two titles will be aimed at the whole family (ages 8+). While my business is mostly profitable, I’m basically investing every dollar back into the company (more inventory, more titles, more marketing/sales).
I’m just 2 years into my journey (mostly part time), learning an entirely new industry, and would love to hear stories from other people selling consumer goods.
Where are you in your journey? What struggles did you encounter/are you encountering? What was the hardest part in the early years? Hardest ongoing struggles? Did you have any aha moments that helped you turn a corner? Did you ever get to a place of any real profitability? If so, how long?
I don’t have much of a network of people doing anything similar, so thanks in advance…hopefully we get a good discussion.
I do. I am a small corrugated sheet plant and 3PL.
In a nut shell, we make and sell corrugated boxes and packaging supplies and house companies products (mostly home based) and ship out their orders so they can continue on with their day job and avoid the crazy FBA fees, dealing with warehouse rent, hiring and firing etc.
You’re speaking my language. I’m currently in 2 storage units, but that is not sustainable. I’m looking at 3pl because warehouse space in my area is at a premium. They are building a ton of it right now, so maybe it will get over saturated and prices will come down, but currently it’s not viable.
If you have the warehouse space and logistical infrastructure, 3pl seems like it’s a good business to be in.