Turning an idea into a product you could sell??

[Chris_w666]

Ok I may be onto a complete loser here but how would I go about getting someone to properly design and put together a sample of a product I think could sell (In very small numbers) to a) see if it works and b) see what other people think of it?

Or do I have to learn to design stuff first so I can copyright it?

[spikeyhead]

Chris_w666 said:

Ok I may be onto a complete loser here but how would I go about getting someone to properly design and put together a sample of a product I think could sell (In very small numbers) to a) see if it works and b) see what other people think of it?

Or do I have to learn to design stuff first so I can copyright it?

There are plenty of companies out there that do nothign but what you're looking for. Give us a clue about the product line, ie electronic, mechanical or whatever and someone will point you in the right direction.

[Windsorphil]

I have just done the same thing - Mrs Windsorphil had an idea and we've spent the last 18 months making it a reality, it goes into US stores in March and Australia and UK stores soon after - see www.theweanmachine.com for a holding page.

We used an industrial design company to build in profit and IP, and used other agencies for packaging, PR planning, etc.

Happy to share some of the mistakes we made along the way...we are also looking to help people develop their ideas as a JV or similar, as long as it sits with our planned prodcut range.

Phil.

Edited by Windsorphil on Tuesday 27th January 12:37

[WTD]

An oversized garlic press!! Hope you can sell a boat load matey!

when starting out did you test out the idea with potato crushers like this? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kitchen-Craft-Stainless-St... then develop it into something more appropriately sized/powdercoated etc?

[_Voyager_]

Windsorphil said:

I have just done the same thing

It looks really good, at the right price point I can see this doing well. Best of luck and should I have child #2 I might well make a purchase.

[Windsorphil]

Garlic presses and food ricers have been studied in great depth!

We needed to build in IP (there are 18 separate claims on our patents) and be able to make it in a cost effective manner, both big considerations when working with designers.

We've sold the first production run, and in the USA they'll hit the shelves around $20-24. Over here we're gunning for sub £19 retail, but the standard retail mark-up here is very high (100% then add VAT in the large multiples). Our first UK distributor went into liquidation a few weeks ago that has put us a little behind schedule, but we should sign the new one this week, as long as we can agree on roles and prices.

Thanks for the support - there will of course be a PH discount if bought directly from us...

[loltolhurst]

can you make enough money from one product out of interest? Looks a good idea best of luck with it

[Windsorphil]

I did think long and hard about launching with one product - I think the good people of Coca-Cola, the Buggy Board and a number of others have proven that single products are a viable starting point. Of course colour variants and variuos tie-ins can extend the range easily - red for baby's first christmas, the man-u version, winnie the pooh version, etc.


But we have 3 other products in development and are actively looking to license or enter JV's for suitable products. It's a big world out there and my classical marketing background tells me launch one at a time for maximum take-up...

[Chris_w666]

spikeyhead said:

Chris_w666 said:

Ok I may be onto a complete loser here but how would I go about getting someone to properly design and put together a sample of a product I think could sell (In very small numbers) to a) see if it works and b) see what other people think of it?

Or do I have to learn to design stuff first so I can copyright it?

There are plenty of companies out there that do nothign but what you're looking for. Give us a clue about the product line, ie electronic, mechanical or whatever and someone will point you in the right direction.

It would be basic electronics well some wires and plastic moulding. To do with cars so it may well have been thought of in the past and thrown away as a poor idea.

I had what I thought was a great idea last year and walked into a shop to find it .

Edited by Chris_w666 on Wednesday 28th January 12:28

[nsa]

That looks like a great product. Congrats!

[DonnyMac]

Although we've gone way OT, that's a great little product there Windsor - £19 may seem a touch steep but throw a Winnie logo on it and I can't imagine a babybag in the country without one - just in case.

Excellent, well done to you and Mrs WP.

[Windsorphil]

Thanks all, when you see it in the flesh the price is easy to understand, especially when compared to other premium feeding products.

Pricing in UK is difficult because the standard ratios the reatilers want is 2.3 times wholesale price (e.g. 100% and then VAT!). In other markets, where there is wider competition, it's easier to get more reasonable margins at the retailers end (40-80%).

We've been testing it this week with "grumpy mummies", and it's going down well...