Hi everyone,

I'm completely new to the sourcing agent/business procurement field and would really appreciate some guidance from people who have experience in it.

A little about me: I come from a digital marketing background and run a digital marketing business. Recently, I started learning about sourcing agents who help overseas buyers find manufacturers, negotiate prices, manage quality checks, and coordinate shipments. The more I read about it, the more interesting it seems.

I genuinely enjoy sales, relationship building, and communicating with clients, which is one of the reasons this business caught my attention. My plan is to start as a freelancer and treat it as a side income. If it goes well and I gain enough experience and clients, I'd eventually like to register a company and build a proper sourcing business.

Since I'm starting from zero, I have a lot of questions:

* Is this a realistic business to start as a freelancer? * How did you get your first client? * What skills should I focus on learning first? * Are there any courses, YouTube channels, books, or communities you'd recommend? * How do you find reliable manufacturers and verify them? * What are the biggest mistakes beginners make? * Is it possible to build this business remotely from India, or do you eventually need a presence in manufacturing hubs? * If you were starting again today with no experience, what would your roadmap look like?

I'm not looking for a "get rich quick" business. I'm happy to spend months learning and building credibility if there's genuine long-term potential.

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences, advice, or even things you wish you knew when you started.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, i am from Telangana. Me and my other 2 friends are currently in planning to do export business.

We have got a good idea of the documentation and the process. We are at the end of finalzing products and there reliable sources.

We are starting with spices and agri produce.

We are young generation people 23 years will love to learn from already established players.

Out major struggle is to find buyers and also to find a reliable mentor to make sure we don't make lot of mistakes and loose capital.

If anyone is experienced and Intrested in helping us in our journey, let's connect. We will be very greatful for the opportunity.

Hey guys I'm 27 and almost finishing my master degree. Me and my friends start importing and exporting goods.

We even managed to find a way to keep working during blockade of Hormuz. We are interested in working with anyone from any countries. Iran's market has so much possibilities.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about helping people from all over the world enter the Japanese market.

If you’ve ever wanted to do business in Japan, sell products here, or expand your company into Japan, let me know. I’d genuinely love to hear what you’re working on and see if I can help.
No sales pitch — just curious and happy to connect with people interested in Japan. 😊

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how international consumer brands and DTC businesses view the Japanese market.
Japan remains one of the world’s largest consumer markets, but it can also be challenging due to differences in consumer behavior, localization, regulations, distribution channels, and marketing.
If you run a consumer brand and have ever considered selling products in Japan, I’d genuinely love to hear about your experience, ideas, or concerns.
What attracts you to the Japanese market, and what has stopped you from entering so far? 😊

Hello, Im wanting to start a small art buisness in belgium as stated previously but i dont know how to go about it or what i should be filing with who, what and where.

To give context : I( 25F) live already in belgium on a family visa that seemingly allows small business start up
MY CURRENT GOAL:
I want to make a online shop to sell stationary, and mostly stickers (stage 1)

I then want to increase inventory and be able to sell at art markets , and conventions ( stage 2)

and hopefully be able to do this while attending a hogeschool ( stage 3, in about a year )

Other Important Info:
- I am unemployed currently and have had no opportunities with work so far ( i know i have to go talk to my vakbond first )

- I currently have no savings to do a proper setup and plan on manufactures making my product.

My questions :

[LEGAL QUESTIONS]
What are my options?

What agency would best to go through to make sure i have the best legal help for starting my buisness?

Will i have to invest a certain amount of money?

is there anything else i can consider?

[SMALL BUSINESS QUESTIONS]

What manufactures do you consider is best? ( pros and cons would be lovely )

Do you have a preferred e-commerce platform to sell on?

Thankyou kindly for your time

(Edited this post to make it clearer )

https://preview.redd.it/rhvyvfvjj9ah1.png?width=888&format=png&auto=webp&s=79d8607543c56aff97924fc2905b6f1a9bcf65e4

Hey everyone! 👋

I’m new to this thread. I’m a university undergrad based in Sri Lanka, and I do freelance AI automation to help cover my expenses.

I originally started on Fiverr and had a great run. A client from Australia took a chance on me early on, and I managed to build a steady flow of work, maintaining a 5.0-star rating across my first 18 orders. Unfortunately, a recent miscommunication with a corporate client (two people from the same company placed an order without requirements, then canceled it) completely tanked my platform metrics.

Because of this, I’m pivoting to independent freelancing and direct outreach. However, starting from scratch off-platform is tough. I've noticed that without a big portfolio, some prospects are hesitant to trust a cold message from an overseas freelancer.

I want to let my work speak for itself and build undeniable credibility.

So I decided that, I will build a custom AI automation for 5 people in this group, completely free of charge.

The catch? There isn't one. All I ask is that if you love the final result, you provide an honest video testimonial that I can use as a case study.

If you have a repetitive task or process you want automated, drop a comment or send me a DM! Let's build something cool.

Hey everyone,

Sourcing apparel through domestic networks like 1688.com is an incredible way to lower your Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) compared to Alibaba, but the platform's high Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) are a major hurdle if you're trying to validate a new style.

Why 1688 Factories Push for Huge MOQs

Most standard clothing factories on 1688 run production lines optimized for 500 to 5,000 pieces per style. The operational logic is simple: setting up the cutting tables, threading the industrial machines, and configuring a line takes the exact same time for 50 pieces as it does for 500. Their entire business model relies on volume over margin.

However, the e-commerce landscape has forced a shift. There is now a dedicated tier of suppliers specializing in small-batch customization (小批量定制). They utilize smaller cutting layouts, simpler sewing setups, and flexible scheduling to accommodate 50–200 piece runs.

If you are trying to lean-test a clothing brand without tying up thousands in unverified inventory, here is the exact playbook to find and negotiate with them.

Step 1: Filter for Small-Batch Friendly Suppliers

You won’t find low-MOQ factories using generic search terms. You have to use specific operational modifiers in your queries:

• Targeted Keywords: Use terms like 小批量 (small batch), 定制50件起 (customization from 50 pieces), or 一件代发 (single-piece dropshipping/dispatch—this usually signals a supplier holding large blank stock).
• Look for "Supply Chain" Companies: On 1688, look for entities labeled as 供应链 (supply chain) rather than single-facility manufacturing plants. These companies aggregate multiple small workshops, allowing them to route small orders easily.
• Filter by Transaction Volume (成交额): High-transaction suppliers who accept small orders are the sweet spot. They have proven logistics for handling a high volume of smaller buyers.
• The Direct Inquiry: Even if a listing states a 500+ MOQ, message them directly on AliWangWang. If they have slow-season capacity, many will quietly drop their limits.

Step 2: Negotiation Tactics That Actually Work

When negotiating with a 1688 apparel supplier, you have to offer concessions that mitigate their line setup costs:

Tactic	How to Execute	Typical Operational Result
Reduce Colors & Sizes	Instead of ordering S/M/L/XL in 3 colors, order just size M and L in 1 core color (like Black).	MOQ drops from 500 → 100
Pay a Setup Fee	Voluntarily offer $50–$150 to cover pattern-making and cutting setup costs.	MOQ drops from 300 → 50
Use Factory Blanks	Choose from their existing blank stock (hoodies/tees)—no custom fabric dye run needed. Just add custom print/embroidery.	MOQ drops to 20–50
Leverage Slow Seasons	Place developmental orders during seasonal lulls: Chinese New Year recovery (March) or mid-summer (July–August).	Factories accept lower MOQs to keep skilled lines running.

Step 3: Managing the Unit Cost Premium

Smaller batches cost more per unit. Expect to pay a 15% to 30% price premium per garment compared to a 500+ piece run. Here is the typical domestic pricing variance to look out for:

• Basic Cotton Tee: $4.50–$6.00 (at 50 pcs) vs. $2.50–$3.50 (at 500 pcs)
• Fleece Hoodie: $9.00–$12.00 (at 50 pcs) vs. $5.50–$7.50 (at 500 pcs)
• Casual Button-Down: $10.00–$14.00 (at 50 pcs) vs. $6.00–$9.00 (at 500 pcs)
• Denim Jeans: $15.00–$20.00 (at 50 pcs) vs. $9.00–$13.00 (at 500 pcs)

Even with the small-batch premium, the margins are usually more than enough to test market fit on Amazon while preserving cash flow.

Step 4: Quality Control is More Critical for Small Batches

Low-MOQ apparel runs carry a unique risk profile. Because your order isn't big enough to dominate the factory's main line, it is frequently passed to less experienced workers or worked on as a side job between major runs.

To protect your account health and keep return rates low, your quality control workflow should adjust:

1. 100% Piece-by-Piece Inspections: For a batch of 50–200 garments, it is highly recommended to have an on-site third-party inspector check every single piece rather than relying on standard AQL statistical sampling.
2. Audit for Sizing Drift: Small runs mean less fabric is cut simultaneously, leading to wider cutting tolerances. Mandate flat-measurements across key points (chest width, inseam, armhole drop) against your spec sheet.
3. Strict Label Compliance: Ensure the factory correctly sews in accurate fiber content labels, care instructions, and country-of-origin markings. Customs or Amazon compliance checks can easily flag a small batch if the factory cuts corners on labeling.

Step 5: The Phased Scale-Up Strategy

Treat low-MOQ sourcing as a low-risk product incubator:

• Phase 1 (Test): Run 50–100 pieces. Validate the supplier’s communication, fabric stability, sizing accuracy, and real-world listing conversion rates.
• Phase 2 (Optimize): Bump to 200–500 pieces. Your unit costs drop significantly. Use a standard pre-shipment inspection (PSI) at this stage.
• Phase 3 (Scale): Commit to 500+ units. Lock in bottom-tier pricing and claim priority scheduling on the factory's main lines.

By pacing your capital this way, you minimize risk. If a style flops, you're only holding 50 units of dead inventory instead of a garage full of 500.

How is everyone else handling apparel minimums right now? Are you working with 1688 supply chain agents or handling factory communication directly? Let's swap notes below.

Hi everyone,

I have a question about the process after forming a Wyoming LLC as a non-US resident.

I've decided to move forward with an attorney instead of using a formation company (clemta). My attorney will be forming the Wyoming LLC, preparing the Operating Agreement, filing the formation documents, and assisting me with obtaining the EIN. After that, I'll be managing the company myself.

I have a few questions for those who have gone through this process:

1. Once I receive my LLC documents and EIN, what is the step-by-step process from there?
2. Which U.S. business bank/fintech has been the easiest for non-US founders (Mercury, Wise, Relay, Airwallex, etc.)?
3. Which payment processors do you recommend (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)?
4. I plan to do my own simple bookkeeping. What records should I keep from day one, and what software or spreadsheets do you recommend?
5. What IRS filings will I be responsible for each year as a foreign-owned single-member Wyoming LLC? What documents or information do I need to keep throughout the year to make those filings easier?
6. Is it realistic to prepare and file the required IRS forms myself, or do most people eventually hire a CPA?
7. For the registered agent, where do you recommend getting one? Are there providers you've had good experiences with, and is it easy to switch if needed?
8. Besides the Wyoming annual report and registered agent renewal, are there any other recurring compliance tasks that first-time founders often overlook?
9. Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done differently during your first year?

I would really appreciate hearing from people who have gone through the process themselves. Thanks!

Hey!

Where and how can I find someone from China who can buy an item for me in China and ship it to UK?

Thanks!

Over the last few weeks, I've been digging through Google Maps, company websites, and LinkedIn profiles looking at manufacturers in Vietnam.

I expected to find mostly small workshops.

Instead, I found furniture factories with 300+ employees, plywood manufacturers exporting worldwide, and cabinet companies running multiple factories and shipping hundreds of containers every month.

The interesting part is that many of these companies seem deeply connected to China through machinery, materials, and supply chains, while selling mainly to the US and Europe.

For people who work in manufacturing or sourcing:

Is Vietnam becoming a true manufacturing alternative, or is it still heavily dependent on China behind the scenes?

Curious to hear real-world experiences.

Like to know what exporters and manufacturers struggle with the most. If you're exporting (or planning to export), what's your biggest challenge when finding international buyers?

Finding genuine buyers? Getting replies to emails? Trust and scam concerns? Buyer verification? Trade fairs vs LinkedIn vs B2B portals? Finding the right contact person? Something else?

Let's keep this thread practical.

👉 Share :

Your product, Target country, Biggest challenge, One thing that actually worked (if any)

The goal is to learn from each other's experience instead of generic advice. Looking forward to hearing real stories from exporters around the world.

Hi, looking to open a company here in Malaysia as a foreign and I would love to hear about experiences regarding the matter. Please can you explain me how hard was it and the difficulties experienced! I’m from South America btw.

My vibe coding product is designed for all over the world but now I only have Chinese customers, I should be happy or I should open global market? Or I’m being to greedy
Some info: it’s a tool for designers and suits for all kind of languages, but I only post something in Chinese social media, so I am not sure is this the reason?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some honest advice from people who are in the beauty industry or handle overseas sourcing.

I own a cosmetic contract manufacturing facility based in Istanbul, Turkey. We specialize in A-to-Z turnkey private label (from custom formulation in our lab to filling and final packaging).

We have strong local operations, but my main goal right now is to expand our export operations to the EU and US markets. The problem is, I know how annoying generic cold emails from overseas manufacturers can be, and I really want to avoid looking like just another spammy supplier in someone's inbox.

For the brand owners, founders, or supply chain experts here:

1. Where do you actually go to find reliable overseas manufacturing partners? (Specific directories, trade shows, certain networking groups?)
2. What is the biggest "green light" for you when an international manufacturer reaches out?
3. What are the instant red flags that make you ignore them?

I really want to build long-term, trustworthy partnerships rather than just pushing for quick sales. Any advice on how to approach this professionally would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!