Outsource Production

[bodyanyash]

I make handmade bracelets with beads that take around 2 hours to make. I want to mass produce them. What is the best way to do it? Chinese workers to outsource or what?

 

[Chris Newman]

If you outsource the production to say someone or some team in China, then what about the materials used to make them ? Will you ship those to China (an additional costing for you) ? And if not, then will that China person or team locally source the materials needed to make your product ? If so, you will have to be quite careful about the end product. I am not implying that all China products are made from cheap low grade materials. But, this is a factor you need to consider.
I'm not sure which country you are in. But, even in 1st world countries, you can perhaps get some high school students who can make your bracelet with beads for you at a reasonable pay to them. Students are always looking for some part time opportunities. Even housewives can make your product on part time work-from-home basis, at reasonable pay to them.

 

[uncutu]

how many are you selling? are you overwhelmed with a backlog of orders which you can't handle yourself?

i would find local people and train them. maybe you have a sibling or friend who will trade their time for money.

outsourcing to china comes with big budget and hurdles like @Raj Kesu mentioned

another avenue is research commercial equipment to automate the process and cut the 2 hour time per unit down

 

[bodyanyash]

If you outsource the production to say someone or some team in China, then what about the materials used to make them ? Will you ship those to China (an additional costing for you) ? And if not, then will that China person or team locally source the materials needed to make your product ? If so, you will have to be quite careful about the end product. I am not implying that all China products are made from cheap low grade materials. But, this is a factor you need to consider.
I'm not sure which country you are in. But, even in 1st world countries, you can perhaps get some high school students who can make your bracelet with beads for you at a reasonable pay to them. Students are always looking for some part time opportunities.

I'm from the US. The issue is that for paying something locally, I would need to spend around $25 (2 hours) to make 1 bracelet. The margins would be too low, which is why I'm considering other options. But the questions you wrote all make sense, and something that I thought about. The materials are actually already sourced from china, so that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[bodyanyash]

how many are you selling? are you overwhelmed with a backlog of orders which you can't handle yourself?

i would find local people and train them. maybe you have a sibling or friend who will trade their time for money.

outsourcing to china comes with big budget and hurdles like @Raj Kesu mentioned

another avenue is research commercial equipment to automate the process and cut the 2 hour time per unit down

I have made few bracelets for my friends and my gf. I know there is good value. The issue though is that I can product 5 bracelets per day and profit around $100. That's not enough per day (I make like $35 an hour from my day job), which is why I need to find a way to automate it before getting into it. And yes, I need some commercial equipment, which is also the reason why I posted here. Maybe someone is familiar with it.

 

[uncutu]

I have made few bracelets for my friends and my gf. I know there is good value. The issue though is that I can product 5 bracelets per day and profit around $100. That's not enough per day (I make like $35 an hour from my day job), which is why I need to find a way to automate it before getting into it. And yes, I need some commercial equipment, which is also the reason why I posted here. Maybe someone is familiar with it.

you made some for your gf and friends. how many have you sold to strangers? how many r u selling per week?
outsourcing these things comes with big budget no matter what. nobody's spinning bracelets for under $12 an hour in usa.
selling them for $20 cannot make a profit. up the price or visit a jeweler forum regarding commercial equip

 

[bodyanyash]

you made some for your gf and friends. how many have you sold to strangers?

It doesn't matter due to the fact that if it's not scalable it's worthless

 

[GenesisOne]

Here you may find some inspiration:

 

[uncutu]

It doesn't matter due to the fact that if it's not scalable it's worthless

even if u had means to make 5000 bracelets daily. if u have no demand for it outside of family & friends it is equally worthless.
u need to prove the demand is there b4 going all in.
and you are right. without a machine or cheap labor this seems like a dud.

 

[bianyanxiao]

In China, there are some areas where labour is cheaper and production facilities are available. I think you can find the ideal solution there and I know it well