Wholesale and Drop Ship Sources
Research on various rules and regulations is presented on this site, in the form of critical reviews, synopses, excerpts,
and links to third-party resources the reseller may need to (1) register a business, (2) learn about and deal with import
tariffs and taxes, (3) set up a storefront or website, (4) market the business, and (5) optimize profits.
We focus on the identification of reliable wholesale suppliers and drop shippers, marketing ideation, and effective strategies for
the reseller. Every effort is made to present material of real utility, with in-depth reviews of selected wholesale and drop ship
services. We purchase these services and products, or otherwise acquire membership affording access, then study and test the
offering(s) before presenting our reviews. Due diligence is exercised in each case.
We actively research suppliers and services in China, providing reviews and supplementary information for resellers who want to
explore this avenue in a safe and secure manner.
Our information is accurate and up-to-date information at the time of writing, and it is frequently updated to reflect
changes in government rules and regulations, company policies, services or product offerings and pricing structures. We
cannot guarantee that such variables have not changed in the interim, however, and the reader is advised to visit respective
sites for recent changes and more comprehensive information.
Errors and Omissions, Comments
If, with respect to any given review, you (1) find an error of any sort, or (2) have comments or questions concerning the
substance thereof, please let us know. We will respond.
"MINIPRENEURS"
Trendwatching.com is "an independent and opinionated
consumer trends firm, relying on a global network of 8,000 spotters. Our trends, examples and insights are delivered to
business professionals in more than 120 countries." They publish a free monthly Trend Briefing as well as an annual Trend Report.
If you're not familiar with this Amsterdam-based group, you're missing out on valuable trend spotting and marketing insight.
In September 2005, they published a briefing called Minipreneurs, referring to
consumers who have become active participants in the market, making a little money on the side through innovative projects of
their own. No longer a passive audience, these minipreneurs were said to represent
[...] a vast army of consumers turning entrepreneurs, including small and micro businesses, freelancers, side-businesses, weekend
entrepreneurs, web-driven entrepreneurs, part-timers, free agents, cottage businesses, seniorpreneurs, co-creators, mompreneurs,
pro-ams, solopreneurs, eBay traders, advertising-sponsored bloggers and so on.
The numbers were startling, but the trend described was not surprising in an economic environment that necessitated niche
initiatives in response to conditions not within an individual's control. The current economic downturn and tight credit market
makes that even more applicable today. Driven by circumstance, people are realizing that they can leverage their own expertise —
do "a bit of manufacturing, enterprising, venturing, selling, trading, or auctioning themselves". Minipreneurs have been
training for years, gathering experience and know-how. They're motivated, and they often face far less risk in these small-scale
enterprises than they would in larger ventures.
They're offering something that's different, that's special, that's vintage, that's quirky, that's customized if not beyond
personalized, that's fringe, or that's just not profitable enough to be developed by big corporations instead of well-meaning
enthusiasts.
Some minipreneurs produce product on their own, utilizing personal resources, while others benefit from online services like
those offered by Zazzle.com, Qoop.com,
CafePress.com or eMachineShop.com,
"where you can design, price, and order your custom parts online". But that's not the only way to approach this ecosystem.
You can also participate in the minipreneurial trend by facilitating the efforts of others.
Ask yourself how you can help them to make money by facilitating their admin, their production, their advertising,
their insurance, their travel, their networking, their selling, their tech needs, their learning, their payments, their
suggestions, their hosting, their new business ideas. Don't ask them to consume; help them to create, to produce. Or ... help
them to become journalists, banks, human billboards or headhunters! |
