Product Sourcing With Amy Wees

If you thought sourcing from China was low-cost, wait until you hear about Mexico.

Amazon sellers have traditionally sourced their products from China, using platforms like Alibaba to find and connect with manufacturers. Today, sellers have a fresh option of sourcing from various other areas of the world, including Mexico and Latin America. Amazing at Home CEO, Amy Wees, joins our podcast to discuss advanced sourcing strategies and the sourcing opportunities available in Mexico.

“The more you know about your manufacturing process, the better off you’ll be when you source.”

Amy explains the importance of understanding the process of manufacturing your specific products. If you are selling t-shirts, you should research and understand the textile and clothing manufacturing process. Familiarize yourself with the tools and supplies needed to make these products so that you can determine if a supplier is equipped to fulfill your product orders. Once you’ve found a new supplier, Amy suggests conducting a mid-production inspection to catch any mistakes before everything is done and ready to ship.

Language barriers are common when doing business internationally. Amy highlights the importance of learning relevant terms in your manufacturers’ language. This will help not only with communicating the right message, but it will also help you with your source search. You may be exposed to more or different manufacturers if you’re able to search them in Chinese or Spanish.

 

China’s Got Some Competition.

China isn’t the only country you can find cheap goods and resources. Ceramics, wood, home goods, leather, gifting, and products from various popular categories are now often sourced from Mexico. They are also able to customize products as you would in China, but at less cost to you.

For US-based sellers, sourcing products from Mexico is cheaper than from China because you are using ground transportation instead of air or ocean shipping. Your lead time will be much shorter, as short as 2 days, instead of weeks that you would have to wait when sourcing from China. Because US has free trade with Mexico, you save money on tariffs. Sourcing from Mexico also eliminates the risk of delays due to international or political events.

While not all products can be sourced from Mexico, you can buy raw materials from China and export it to your Mexican manufacturer to finish the product. Your manufacturer can then send it to your logistics company – which Amy also recommends basing out of Mexico because Mexican labor rates are cheaper than Chinese. At the same time, you can also outsource your inventory storage to Mexico. Because of Amazon’s inventory restrictions, sellers often store their products in Chinese warehouses. Mexican warehouses are not only cheaper, but you can get your products shipped to Amazon warehouses much faster.

Keep in mind that there is no Alibaba for Mexico yet. They are not yet up to par with China, Amy emphasizes, because they haven’t been in the ecommerce manufacturing world for as long as China has. Chinese manufacturers have had the past 30 years to develop their factories and businesses. They are more experienced and have more resources available. But they are still highly efficient and cost effective. Amy suggests attending tradeshows to network and learn about the Mexican ecommerce community. If you’re interested in learning how to source, what products are available, and visiting factories in Mexico, sign up for the 2022 Mexico Sourcing Trip.

 

Tips For Working With Mexican Manufacturers

Amy explains that working with Mexican manufacturers will require more effort. Chinese suppliers can typically look at a picture and understand how to make your product. Because Mexican manufacturers aren’t as experienced, you will need to be more hands-on and develop a partnership with them. You may have to work on getting the right framework and tools in the factory before production can start.

Communicating throughout the entire production process is key when working with any supplier. Amy recommends providing highly detailed specification sheets of your product designs to avoid any confusion. Making a PowerPoint presentation can be an effective way to display your product details. You want to provide as much detail as possible, especially because of language barriers. Using keywords in their language helps you ensure that they understand what you are requesting.

Mid-production inspections of your products are key to catching any mistakes early on, Amy says. This way you can prevent further loss of poorly or incorrectly manufactured products. Let your manufacturers know in detail what you’re going to inspect for.

The great thing about Mexico is that visiting your plans in person is easy, giving you have the ability to work together and collaborate with your manufacturers. You can also take a detour to enjoy Mexico’s beautiful beaches while you’re there!

 

In a Nutshell…

If you’re willing to put in some extra effort, sourcing from Mexico can cut your costs as an Amazon seller. Cheap labor and shipping costs, lower lead times, and a more accessible location make Mexico and ideal place to source your products. You’ll need to be more hands-on and partner with your manufacturers in the beginning, but once you can get them up and running, you might be happy you did.

For more information on Amazing at Home and how Amy’s team can help you with sourcing, visit https://www.amazingathome.com/. If you’re interested in attending a tradeshow where you can learn how to source, what products are available, and visit factories in Mexico, sign up for the 2022 Mexico Sourcing Trip.

FAQ

What are some profitable opportunities that entrepreneurs can explore in Mexico?

Entrepreneurs in Mexico have a wide array of profitable opportunities to explore. From producing wooden products like furniture and home accessories, to crafting ceramics such as mugs and dinnerware, there are abundant options for entrepreneurs in Mexico. Additionally, the market for plush items like stuffed toys and pillows, as well as apparel and accessories like clothing and hats, present lucrative possibilities. Entrepreneurs can also venture into the production of leather goods such as bags, shoes, and belts. Other potential opportunities include manufacturing plasticware like bottles and utensils, health and wellness products such as supplements and medications, and cleaning supplies like brooms and mops. Furthermore, artisans in Mexico can create unique handicrafts that can be sold at premium prices. These are just a few examples of the profitable avenues entrepreneurs can explore in Mexico, with many more exciting possibilities waiting to be explored.

What is the countdown to EvoLatam and what exciting opportunities are expected?

The countdown to EvoLatam is building anticipation as the speakers’ imaginations run wild with excitement. They eagerly look forward to their upcoming trip to Mexico where they expect to discover a myriad of profitable opportunities firsthand. The prospect of exploring these exciting prospects in just a few short months is invigorating, and they are keen to seize the opportunities that await them at EvoLatam.

What types of products fall under categories like wooden products, plush, ceramics, apparel and accessories, leather goods, plasticware, health and wellness, cleaning supplies, and handicrafts?

What are some examples of products that fall under handicrafts category as defined in the context of products falling under specific categories?

Handicrafts refer to one-of-a-kind handmade artisan items that can be sold at a premium price, showcasing unique craftsmanship and creativity.

What are some examples of products that fall under ceramics category?

Mugs, dinnerware, and figurines are examples of products that fall under the ceramics category.

What are some examples of products that fall under plush category?

Stuffed toys, pillows, and home accessories are examples of products that fall under the plush category.

What are some examples of products that fall under wooden products category?

Some examples of products under wooden products category include furniture, home accessories, kitchen furnishings, and Montessori toys.

What types of products fall under categories like wooden products, plush, ceramics, apparel and accessories, leather goods, plasticware, health and wellness, cleaning supplies, and handicrafts?

Various types of products fall under these categories, such as furniture, home accessories, kitchen furnishings, Montessori toys, stuffed toys, pillows, mugs, dinnerware, clothing, hats, bags, shoes, purses, belts, wallets, bottles, utensils, plastic cups, packaging, supplements, medications, brooms, mops, and one-of-a-kind handmade artisan items.

Full Answer Combined with Your Original

“While China has long been known as a hub for affordable goods and materials, it’s worth noting that Mexico is emerging as another viable source for a variety of products. Ceramics, wood, home goods, leather, gifting items, and products from a range of popular categories are now frequently being procured from Mexico. For instance, ceramics from Mexico encompass a wide array of beautifully crafted mugs and dinnerware that showcase traditional artistry. Similarly, Mexican wood products include intricately designed furniture pieces and kitchen furnishings that blend functionality with artistic flair. The leather goods sourced from Mexico boast quality craftsmanship and include stylish bags, shoes, purses, belts, and wallets. In addition, Mexico offers an assortment of home goods that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing, catering to diverse consumer preferences. When it comes to gifting items, Mexico’s artisanal creations stand out as unique and thoughtful choices. With Mexico’s growing presence in the global market, it’s becoming a go-to destination for acquiring a diverse range of high-quality products across various categories.”

What are the various product categories that entrepreneurs can explore for sourcing in Mexico?

How diverse and varied are the product categories that entrepreneurs can consider when sourcing from Mexico?

The product categories available for sourcing in Mexico are diverse and varied, ranging from wooden items and ceramics to plush toys, apparel, leather goods, plasticware, health and wellness products, cleaning supplies, and unique handmade artisan handicrafts, offering entrepreneurs a wide range of options to explore.

What are the possibilities for sourcing products like wooden items, plush toys, ceramics, apparel, leather goods, plasticware, health and wellness products, cleaning supplies, and handicrafts in Mexico?

Entrepreneurs can explore sourcing a variety of products in Mexico, including wooden items like furniture and kitchen furnishings, plush toys and pillows, ceramics such as mugs and figurines, apparel and accessories, leather goods like bags and shoes, plasticware, health and wellness products, cleaning supplies, and handmade artisan handicrafts, among other possibilities.

What are some unique handmade artisan items available in Mexico that can be sold at a premium price?

Mexican artisans create one-of-a-kind handmade handicrafts that are unique and can be sold at premium prices, offering entrepreneurs opportunities to offer exclusive products to their customers.

What are some potential product opportunities in Mexico, such as Montessori toys, home accessories, and health and wellness products?

Mexico offers opportunities for sourcing products like Montessori toys, home accessories, health and wellness items, and a wide range of other products across different categories that can appeal to eCommerce entrepreneurs.

What are the specific examples of products that fall under different product categories that entrepreneurs can explore for sourcing in Mexico?

Some specific examples include wooden products like furniture, home accessories, and Montessori toys; plush items such as stuffed toys and pillows; ceramics like mugs and dinnerware; apparel and accessories including various clothing and hats; leather goods such as bags, shoes, and belts; plasticware like bottles and utensils; health and wellness products like supplements and medications; cleaning supplies including brooms and mops; and unique handmade artisan handicrafts.

In Mexico, entrepreneurs can explore a diverse array of product categories that cater to various market needs. These categories include ceramics, wood, home goods, leather, gifting, and products from other popular sectors. For instance, ceramics offer options such as mugs and dinnerware, while wood presents opportunities for furniture, home accessories, and Montessori toys. Additionally, the leather category encompasses bags, shoes, purses, belts, and wallets, providing a wide range of fashionable choices for consumers. Moreover, the gifting category includes plush items like stuffed toys and pillows, adding a touch of comfort and style to homes. By sourcing from Mexico, entrepreneurs can benefit from cost-effective solutions compared to China, with customization options akin to those available in the Chinese market. The advantages of sourcing from Mexico are numerous, including shorter lead times, reduced shipping costs facilitated by ground transportation, savings on tariffs due to free trade agreements with the US, and decreased risks associated with international or political disruptions.

While Mexico may not have a platform equivalent to Alibaba yet, attending tradeshows can offer valuable networking opportunities and insights into the thriving Mexican ecommerce community. By exploring these diverse product categories and leveraging the advantages of sourcing from Mexico, entrepreneurs can unlock exciting possibilities for their businesses.