Contacting Footwear Manufacturer

[Chigdon]

Hey All,

I've tried contacting footwear manufacturers by email, but I haven't had any replies.

Does anyone have any suggestions on contacting manufacturers? Are there certain things you absolutely must include to be taken seriously?

I'm going to start calling these folks, and hopefully I'll get a better response. Anyone have any suggestions on how to approach a company to ask them to make a white label product for you?

Thanks all,
Chigdon

[Caesar_X]

Chigdon,

I don't have any direct experience with footwear. But thinking logically, I would find retailers or wholesalers who order their own white label products and call them informally to ask how someone could get started in the business. Show some interest in their company and let them know you will not be a competitor. I think you might get some bites that way.

And when you call the manufacturers you can name drop those companies you talked to. Work your way up the food chain and all that.

[dirtdiggler]

Chigdon,

I work in the footwear industry. You need to get in touch with the corporate head quarters of where the products are designed if you have an idea to present. Email might work but you are better off calling these places and asking if you can speak to either the vice president of design or the footwear marketing manager. Tell the front desk person that you have a marketing design related question. When you get the designer/marketing person on the phone ask them for their email address and if you could schedule 15 minutes of their time to come in and present the idea. You would be surprised at how many ideas DO NOT come from the outside. I worked at a place for 7 years and we had maybe 4 ideas come through from the outside. On the other hand, all the ideas were way too difficult and expensive to manufacture. I do know one person who has made a nice living coming up with an innovative idea and licensing it this way. Just make sure you have them sign a 'non disclosure' before you show them anything. Take in mind these companies are extremely busy so asking for 15-30 minutes of their time is usually the max they can give. Make sure what ever you show them, it looks well developed and tight, otherwise no one will take it seriously. Just look up where the headquarters are located, that is where the design happens, all the manufacturing is done in southern China. There is a boat load of corporate headquarters in Massachusetts; NewBalance, Reebok and Puma to name a few.

[kamakiri]

Tons has been done in the footwear market. Check thoroughly that your idea hasn't already been done and patented. The biggest problem you will run into is the minimum order amount. Can you sell 500 pairs?

Get a web site up, and follow Tim's advice directly from the book. Run an adwords campaign, and gauge the market first. No sense in going through the challenge of getting someone to make them if your idea will not sell, and getting up a few page web site isn't a challenge at all.

If that didn't change your mind, then send me a detailed PM or email of what you need and I will get you a quote for 500.