the startups.com platform about startups.comCheck out the new Startups.com - A Comprehensive Startup University
Education
Planning
Mentors
Funding
Customers
Assistants
Clarity
Categories
Business
Sales & Marketing
Funding
Product & Design
Technology
Skills & Management
Industries
Other
Business
Career Advice
Branding
Financial Consulting
Customer Engagement
Strategy
Sectors
Getting Started
Human Resources
Business Development
Legal
Other
Sales & Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Public Relations
Branding
Publishing
Inbound Marketing
Email Marketing
Copywriting
Growth Strategy
Search Engine Marketing
Sales & Lead Generation
Advertising
Other
Funding
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter
Venture Capital
Finance
Bootstrapping
Nonprofit
Other
Product & Design
Identity
User Experience
Lean Startup
Product Management
Metrics & Analytics
Other
Technology
WordPress
Software Development
Mobile
Ruby
CRM
Innovation
Cloud
Other
Skills & Management
Productivity
Entrepreneurship
Public Speaking
Leadership
Coaching
Other
Industries
SaaS
E-commerce
Education
Real Estate
Restaurant & Retail
Marketplaces
Nonprofit
Other
Dashboard
Browse Search
Answers
Calls
Inbox
Sign Up Log In

Loading...

Share Answer

Menu
Patents: I have an idea for a simple household kitchen product (under $5). Where can I get good advice on the process of bringing it to market?
RR
RR
Randall Reade, Washington DC ArchAngels Founder answered:

How many simple household kitchen products under $5 currently exist?

I could go down the aisles of Walmart and count thousands. Amazon probably sells thousands more. Those are only the mass marketed products. There are thousands more that are sold only online, or only through certain types of stores.

Put that altogether, and there are hundreds of thousands of products similar to yours. Now ask yourself: how are you going to stand out from all of those, educate the consumer on what you are selling, and get them to part money and spend it on your product, and not the thousands of other things competing for that same $5.

Then you have to convince that consumer to keep buying your product even as more come on the market trying to shove you aside.

As you can see, it ain't easy. The only person you should be talking to is a person who has already done exactly what you are trying to do -- sell inexpensive household products.

Those people are not easy to find. They don't need you or your business, and they don't hang around bars where other entrepreneurs hang out. When you find that person, he or she must get excited enough about it that they see the possibility of a making a lot of money in it.

You can't pay these people enough of a salary. What they want instead is a piece of equity in your company. They will want at least one-third or more of the company. that's fine! Give it to them because that is your best chance of selling it.

After you have a couple of years of strong sales, then you want to sell the company to a large conglomerate. This person will already have those contacts in the industry and will position your product so that it fits in the lines of a Proctor and Gamble.

This is the only type of person you should deal with. Consultants will take your money and if they don't deliver, they still get your money.

So where do you find the right people? You have to cultivate ties in the household product industry. Go to conventions, ask questions of everyone, learn as much as you can. Visit trade shows, find people who used to work at the big conglomerates but are now retired, or left to start their own business.

It isn't easy, but then you haven't chosen an easy industry to break into.

Talk to Randall Upvote • Share
•••
Share Report

Answer URL

Share Question

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
  • Share by email
About
  • How it Works
  • Success Stories
Experts
  • Become an Expert
  • Find an Expert
Answers
  • Ask a Question
  • Recent Answers
Support
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
Follow

the startups.com platform

Startups Education
Startup Planning
Access Mentors
Secure Funding
Reach Customers
Virtual Assistants

Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.