Hey hey!
I have been thinking about something: What if we are one question away from our next bold move?
Ask away, we need to move past the discomfort of unknowing and into the space where we allow ourselves to be brave and get the answers we need to create the businesses we want!
How to Negotiate a Lower MOQ Without Making Your Factory Hate You
The factory's MOQ is more than you want to commit to. Can you ask for less without losing the relationship? Yes, with the right phrasing. A walk through when negotiation is the smart move, when hitting the standard MOQ is, and the three-piece message that gets a factory to actually consider a smaller first run.
How to Turn Your Art Into Products You Can Actually Manufacture
Can my art actually become a product? And will I have to change my style to make it work? Most artists circling product manufacturing are worried about the same thing underneath. Here is what changes when art becomes a product, what doesn't, and how to figure out which piece is your first.
How to Make Product Decisions When You Don't Trust Yourself Yet
How do you "trust your gut" when your gut has never been in this room? Here is a different way to move through a product decision when you do not feel ready, a small sequence to break the question into three smaller parts, and what to do this week if a decision has been open on your desk for too long.
How Far Ahead Should You Start Planning a Product Launch?
How early should you start planning a product launch — three months, or three weeks? Here's a realistic backwards timeline for makers, plus the spot where most first launches quietly run late.
Is Alibaba Safe? An Honest Answer From Years of Using It
Is Alibaba safe? Here is the honest answer, from years of using it. What Trade Assurance actually does (and does not do), the three signals that tell you a supplier is real, and the small process that does most of the work before any money moves.
Why Cheaper Isn't Always Better When You're Starting a Product Business
How to evaluate a manufacturing quote when one is cheaper, the questions a price tag does not answer, and when the lower number actually is the right call.
Foil Washi Tape vs. Regular Washi Tape
Foil washi tape is having a moment. But is it the right first product for you to manufacture? An honest comparison of cost, MOQ, design considerations, and lead time — and the case for starting with regular tape first.
Is Selling Washi Tape Profitable? An Honest Take
The question every artist asks before they manufacture anything: is this actually going to make money? Here's an honest breakdown of washi tape margins — including the situations where it's not the right product to make.
How to Design Washi Tape That Actually Prints Right
Your art looks beautiful on screen. That doesn't mean it's print-ready. The five most common file mistakes I see on first washi tape orders — and exactly how to fix each one before you send your designs to the factory.
Where Is Washi Tape Manufactured? A Real Maker's Guide
"I keep hearing 'overseas,' but where exactly?" If you've gone hunting for a washi tape factory, you've already found Alibaba and gotten lost. Here's what makers actually need to know about where washi tape gets made.
What's the MOQ for Custom Washi Tape? (And How to Lower It)
"What if I have to order 10,000 rolls?" The fear of MOQs keeps more artists from manufacturing than almost anything else. Here's what's actually negotiable — and the email scripts I use to lower a first order.
How Much Does It Cost to Make Custom Washi Tape?
"How much is this actually going to cost me?" If you've been close to ordering custom washi tape, you've asked this question already. Here's an honest breakdown of what moves the price — and the costs nobody tells you about.
How to Get Your First Real Quote From a Manufacturer
If you've been circling a blank email to a manufacturer for weeks, this one is for you. Here's exactly what goes in a first quote request — and why the email you've been afraid to send is simpler than you think.
Your First Product Order Doesn't Have to Be Huge
Ordering your first run of products doesn't have to feel like a huge risk. Here's how to think about quantity, restraint, and starting informed in 2026.
What Overseas Manufacturing Actually Looks Like in 2026
Thinking about manufacturing overseas in 2026? Here's what the process actually looks like, including timelines, tariffs, and what nobody tells you before you start.
Tariffs in 2026: What Actually Matters for Small Product Businesses
Confused about tariffs in 2026? Learn what actually matters for small product businesses and how to plan product pricing with clarity and confidence.
How Much It Really Costs to Start Making Products
Wondering how much it really costs to start making products? This guide breaks down realistic cost categories so artists can plan without panic.
Why Research Feels Productive (and When It Starts Holding You Back)
A question I hear all the time is: “How do I know when I’ve done enough research?”
Research feels productive—especially when you’re trying to avoid expensive mistakes. But at a certain point, more information doesn’t create clarity. It creates hesitation.
In this week’s blog post, I’m talking about why research can quietly keep you stuck, how to recognize when it’s no longer helping, and what actually moves you forward instead.
Buy me a cup of tea!
I started this blog to share answers to questions I recieve all the time. I figured the answers could help others who are finding their way in business.
If you would like to contribute extra to keep the ship afloat, consider a donation below. Cheers!
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Does working overseas make you nervous?
I get it – the thought of manufacturing overseas can be daunting. But with these five questions in your back pocket, you'll save yourself a whole lot of frustration and set yourself up for success.
Want to know the insider secrets to overseas manufacturing? I’ve got you covered! My guide will walk you through the must-ask questions that will help you cut costs and maximize profits!
So what are you waiting for? Don't miss out on this game-changing opportunity – download our guide now and get ready to take the manufacturing world by storm!"