This interview is an expert of a special 500 podcast episode of the Foundr Magazine and was edited and condensed for clarity.  Five hundred podcast episodes in, and Nathan Chan is still hungry for the next open-book conversation. In a special 500th episode of the Foundr Podcast, Chan lays everything on the table for a special AMA (ask me anything) from his favorite founders–YOU! Ask Me Anything with Foundr CEO Nathan Chan Q: Vica Gafur asks, “What was the most inspiring story that made you who you are today?” Nathan Chan: I want to share a story that happened to me that made me who I am ..read more

There’s nothing more frustrating as an entrepreneur than having a million-dollar idea but no guidance on how to raise the capital to get that idea off the ground. In any case, we all can’t get a gig on Shark Tank, pitch our idea to the sharks, get berated by Mr. Wonderful for 30 minutes, only for him to completely ignore our asks, and offer us a terrible deal and 10 seconds to decide. Actually, that sounds like a terrible experience. But pitching ideas off-camera can be just as tricky. Attempting to get them to see your product or service from the same lens you do is hard, but the result can b ..read more

You’ve followed all the steps in our recent article on how to create an eBay account, and you’re ready to list your first products. Just one small problem. You have absolutely no idea what sells on eBay. Fear not. We’ve pulled together five of the best product categories to consider for your eBay store to give you the best chance of success on the platform. 5 Product Categories to Consider For Your eBay Store 1. Phone accessories The first product category to consider for your store is cell phone accessories. When you are considering products for your store, one important aspect to factor in ..read more

When it comes to selling products, trying to find the perfect platform is one of the trickiest aspects of setting up any new business. But ecommerce founders who put all their eggs in one basket run the risk of missing out on further selling opportunities, not to mention the impact of any issues occurring with their chosen platform, without any built-up audience elsewhere. That’s why you need to start selling on eBay. You’re wrong if you think eBay is just for selling rare baseball cards and an unopened soda can from 1993. Although eBay may be an old-timer when it comes to selling online, it’s ..read more

From my experience helping thousands of ecommerce brands over foundr’s history, one of the most commonly overlooked areas is product testing. Many founders are happy to invest in creating concepts and marketing products, but very few spend even a fraction of that budget actually testing their product first. “It’s not a complicated product” or “I didn’t think there would be any issues” are two common excuses I hear all the time. But attention to detail will separate your brand from the competition, ensure customer satisfaction is not only met but exceeded, and help you build a brand that has al ..read more

There are few feelings that are more exciting than working on a new product for your brand. Whether it’s the first thing you’ve ever tried to sell or a new range you’re keen to add to your arsenal, designing a new product can be a ton of fun. But at some point, to make that new product dream a reality, you need to get it manufactured. To prevent the dream from ending and the bubble bursting, we’ve created a quick breakdown of each step of the journey, showing you exactly how to get your product manufactured. How to Get Your Product Manufactured: A Step-By-Step Guide Let’s dive straight in and ..read more

When it comes to sourcing a manufacturer for your product, it’s easy to immediately start looking abroad. After all, everyone tells you how many factories there are in places like China and how much cheaper it is to get products abroad. But, what they don’t tell you are the nightmare stories of no products, product defects, and long delays with no way to contact the supplier. You can eradicate a lot of these issues by considering a USA supplier for your new product instead. In this article, we will look at the benefits of sourcing your products from a USA supplier and the steps you can take to ..read more

You’ve thought of the perfect product idea. You’ve spent countless hours working on it, drawing feverishly at your desk, and working with designers to bring your vision to life. Now it’s time to find someone who is going to be able to make it for you. But you’ve got a problem. You’ve never tried to create a product before; you have no connections with manufacturers and no idea where to start. Fortunately for you, here is the perfect place to start. In this article, we will dive deep into Kian Golzari’s tips for finding the perfect Chinese supplier to bring your vision to life. After sourcing o ..read more

Whether it’s a brand new product for your bubbling new ecommerce store or the launch of your very first product, which will set the foundations for what is to come, it can be easy to dismiss the minimum order quantity as something irrelevant. After all, your shop is going to sell out in minutes, right? If anything, you should be purchasing more than the minimum in anticipation of all the demand. While it is great to have a positive mindset toward the launch of a new product, it is also crucial to be realistic. Below, you’ll learn the concept of minimum order quantity, why it is so important to ..read more

What is a wholesaler? It might seem like a simple question to answer, but for many, it can be tricky to differentiate between what a wholesaler provides and the service of working with a manufacturer. After all, there aren’t “quartersalers” or “halfsalers,” so who does the term wholesaler refer to? In this article, we will dive into everything you need to know about the role of a good wholesaler, how to find one, and the difference between wholesalers and going directly to a manufacturer for your product. What Is a Wholesaler? The easiest way to think of wholesalers is as the people in the mi ..read more