Announcing our Amazon FBA Product – Time to Launch

We promised you – and we are doing it – we are exposing the product we are selling on Amazon FBA – coffee accessories – the brand name is Sisitano and the order was placed this past Monday. A bunch of the partners of our Amazon FBA business dialed in and we talked about our new product and what our plans are for launch and marketing, enjoy!

√ Our brand, espresso maker accessories
√ Ca$hvertising book
√ The Cabbage Patch Kids craze of 1983
√ Our survey

Today’s podcast is brought to you by the Cross Border Matchmaker event on Friday October 27, 2017 in Hua Qiang Bei Plaza hotel of Shenzhen, China. The Cross Border Matchmaker is joint conference with Global From Asia and a Chinese E-commerce Amazon FBA association to bring top Amazon sellers on both the Chinese and International community. Simultaneous translation and an action packed day of speakers, booths, networking, and meals. Friday Oct 27 Check it out at GlobalFromAsia.com/matchmaker

Whew, did we just make a big mistake talking about our product? Hope not, well it’s too late now – so many Amazon FBA seller friends begging us / me not to share – but we are putting it out there.

Hey, maybe you’ll buy one of our products even 🙂

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Welcome to the Global from Asia Ecommerce Gladiator Series where you can follow along the progress of setting up a Cross Border Ecommerce business from start to finish. Hear insights of real product research, Amazon FBA, China manufacturing, branding, marketing, and all the blood, sweat, and tears of building a global business from Asia. Now let’s tune in.

Today’s podcast is brought to you by the Cross Border Matchmaker event on Friday October 27 in Huaqiangbei Plaza hotel of Shenzhen, China. The Cross Border Matchmaker is joint conference between with Global From Asia and a Chinese E-commerce Amazon Association to bring top Amazon sellers on both the Chinese and International community together in one room. Simultaneous translation is provided and it’s got to be an action packed day full of speakers, booths, networking, and meals together and more. Mark the date Friday October 27. Check it out at GlobalFromAsia.com/matchmaker.

Mike: I’m between factory interviews. It’s Wednesday October 11. You are listening to this at least as early as Friday October 13, 2017. But you know what’s awesome about podcast is I get people still thanking us for podcast from 2013 – 2014. I hope this help you in years in advance but today has been a hectic day. We just had an amazing time interviewing our founders and co-founders Lorenzo, Kadrian, Roland and me. We are being public as I promised on the Ecommerce gladiator series here about our product. We’ve gone to the coffee accessory niche. I hope I’m not competing with anybody listening. Maybe we can always cooperate and we will share about the brand, strategies, we placed the order, put the money down, getting added insights helping out and his team. We are planning to be on sale for Halloween or maybe to be able to give us a little bit of extra time. But, anyway I’m on the car now this is a quick intro thanks for listening guys. Other way to support the show now is to give us ideas and feedback or maybe even buy your products. Let’s listen in. Cheers.

Mike: Alright, guys. So, we are gladiators so we have a lots to talk about this week. So, we have from the team Roland and Lorenzo. What’s up, guys?

Lorenzo: Yeah, what’s up?

Mike: We just had a nice call. Roland was leaving the call about product and packaging. Kadrian is here, too. What’s up man? Can you hear us?

Kadrian: Hi, yup.

Mike: Great! So Lorenzo, you placed the order like we talked about. But let’s first hear from Roland, coz he’s got to get going, do you mind got to give us an update?

Roland: Sure. Regarding the call we just had it’s about packaging. We’re getting there, we’re so pumped to show everyone what’s going on. The first orders have been made, Lorenzo went out to the market and got the first product. We’re setting up our bundles, we’re creating our packaging. We’re deciding on the designs they’re having VA starting to work for us, designers, and we’re super pump. You still see it’s a lot of work to get done and sometimes we feel a bit pressure but I think we’re doing very good because everyone sees their task and what to do. So I think we’re making a lot of progress day after day, hour after hour. The continents help us a lot, when we go to bed, Jack is working on the seller’s central. When I wake up you guys been putting in some hours ready. When I go to bed you guys are sleep. So we are all, we are pretty much working 24 hours and that is a big, big advantage we have.

Mike: Definitely. We got the packing word the branding. So, I think we’re ready to announce our brand. Do you want us?

Roland: Go for it.

Mike: Yeah, so we are in the coffee niche, coffee accessories.

Roland: Babam Bam. Slot clap and drum roll.

Lorenzo: The drum rolls and all that.

Roland: And let me put some drum rolling.

Mike: And it’s sisitano.com S I S I T A N O. So Lorenzo, do you want to share the story of this brand, idea?

Lorenzo: Yeah, sure. It’s actually finding one because I was, this product was actually one of the products that I had shortlisted from my own FBA business. Then when I met you, I told you about the product, the name I was talking to my Nepalian buddy and he’s from Nepal. I just start talking putting his brain over a cup of coffee and express to get some information. So I asked, which part of Nepal are you from, he said from Sisi and I asked them what are the people from Sisi called and I didn’t even have a time to answer and he just said oh Sisitano and the guy just laugh like crazy then said no it’s not like that, whatever I like the name. I got to call you Sisitano and that’s what i got to use for the brand anyways. I love that, he was laughing like crazy and I loved it, too. It’s a funny story, funny origin. But actually I do like the name. It’s very catchy, easy to say and I was very surprise to see that the domain is actually available.

Mike: Yeah, I mean Mayer’s liking it, Mayer’s excited about it too. We think it’s a great, it sounds very Italian and it’s got a good story and you’re very passionate about it. I remember when you and I in Hangzhou at the coffee shop, Starbucks but when we’re talking about it, I can feel your excitement and the team has embraced it. Actually we changed our strategy if people are listening in earlier episodes, we’re thinking about doing like a shopping mall like all kinds of products. Mayer even I like really push the team to pick one product niche and start because it does take a lot of resources. We are got to train, we are building a brand. Of course we’re starting at Amazon first but the idea is we’re making a website, we’re making a brand for long term. So we’re all nervous made the first order put some money down on just this Monday, right? But we’re going to this, we made a survey, Kadrian do you want to share some other marketing updates you’ve been leaving.

Kadrian: Right, so I’ve decided to make a survey basically for 2 reasons. The first one is to validate our product proposition and the second one is to share the survey in social media to get some contacts. So we can have further interaction with the potential customers in the future. So just like a short multiple choice survey to be completed under free (blurred) so it’s not too intrusive and then we can have some incentives like discount card or some coupons for initiative for them to complete the survey.

Mike: Definitely. So, people want to take the survey and just that they can go to sisitano.com/survey and learn about. The answer to some questions if you’re interested with coffee and want to give us some feedback, we’ll love that.

Roland: That’s right.

Mike: Yeah, so we’re making our social media accounts and Roland said he had to go but we had the packaging now, we got a kind of finalize everything. I think as far as the business, I felt that we were little bit like stuck for few weeks or even little bit longer about product selection. But like Mayer has advising us that’s always the hardest part is the product selection now we’re moving. I think we’re getting into a good flow, were all working. We have our different departments, it’s a little bit nerve wrecking. What’s the timeline? Lorenzo we got some barcodes, we got some packaging and we talked to Ino and its qualities, so how is that all flow?

Lorenzo: We, I placed order on 3 products because we got to bring it to a package. And for 2 of the items, there will be delivered by Friday and they will be sending it directly to Ino’s warehouse and then to inspect them and do all the quality control on it. And so the main product that will be, from what that I was told this, it will be delivered on Monday and it will be directly sent to Ino’s warehouse for inspection. I do kind of going on Monday myself to Ino’s warehouse and to look into inspection also. Give him my hand also with the inspection with the stickers, labels, and packaging everything. I’ve been very excited about it.

Mike: Yeah I mean it’s really awesome, we’re making moves. Go ahead.

Lorenzo: I was talking to my Nepalian buddy in Toronto Canada and told me that he also loves the product and he thinks that this is gotta be a big hit because even in Italy, it’s a new mold, new fashion that went back to old traditions and this is the way that is we got to bring, the way it’s supposed to be. The original, authentic, Italian way to people here because a lot of people kind of has been persuade outside of it by all these fast and big change. Yeah its coffee, its a real coffee if you know what I mean.

Lorenzo: I was talking to my Nepalian buddy in Toronto Canada and told me that he also loves the product and he thinks that this is gotta be a big hit because even in Italy, it’s a new mold, new fashion that went back to old traditions and this is the way that is we got to bring, the way it’s supposed to be. The original, authentic, Italian way to people here because a lot of people kind of has been persuade outside of it by all these fast and big change. Yeah its coffee, its a real coffee if you know what I mean.

Lorenzo: Old country, the old tradition and also because at the origin of coffee was essential socializing effect like people used to, for example this smokers they essential to have a cigarette, before that people just gather with their friends. And now everybody is always on their phone, social media but people kind of getting lost with the real world. And this is now bringing back the old traditional, socializing, or we face to face and socialize with your close friends or your family. And also in a way to meet new people. Especially for young people. The crowd we got to be targeting, the students that’s the best way to meet people around with awesome, authentic coffee.

Roland: Yup, so you know idea is more about e commerce where were doing more like creating this new coffee community or like promoting the connecting of people in a digital age. So not only selling Ecommerce but also were trying the coffee industry.

Mike: Yeah, exactly. So I think that’s what we’re trying to do when we talk to people and that’s our hustling. We got to start getting into Facebook groups, getting people fill out this survey, people giving us feedback, people telling us they like this product or not, they want to buy it or not, they might have another ideas for products or modifications on the product. I mean that’s we’re, maybe would go on a kickstarter that will be kind of cool.

Lorenzo: Exactly, we can even maybe manufacture our own version of this espresso maker and I’m pretty sure we can do that within the next 6 to 10 months, that should be one of our goals.

Mike: It’s possible, I mean I think once we pick a niche and were got to become experts on it, we’re also starting a podcast for it. I don’t know, do we mention downloads, we not mentioned on the beginning. But were got to launch a podcast the coffee journey. So, who wants to be the main host? I mean, I do a lot of podcast already. I can help. I’d love maybe some people on the team to help me out to do the coffee journey podcast. But the cool thing is we’ve got to talk to some experts in the coffee industry and get to know people, leaders and influencers in the market, so that we can understand the needs and the desire even more to grow our business and also give back to the community, help the community. So, hopefully we got to launch that as soon as possible actually like maybe next week.

Lorenzo: That’s the plan, once we get everything inspected and put on package with the plan, finish process, everything sent to the warehouse in the US by sometime next week, then we can get rolling.

Mike: Yeah exactly. How do you guys feel? Are you okay about it?

Lorenzo: Feeling excited.

Roland: Super excited.

Mike: Awesome. I think we’re finally all working well. It took time to team to know each other the work figure out. Who’s doing what and what direction we’re going. But things are got to be moving fast now and then we made it for Christmas. Lets see, the show will go on live on Friday the 13th actually, that’s a funny day, right. Maybe by Halloween, it should be live or even earlier, right. Do you think?

Lorenzo: We got to be sending them by air so yeah exactly by Halloween. Sooner than we expected. Amazing. This is the power of the team. We managed our force and energy together if in a team we can achieve in 1 month whereas an individual can achieve in 6 months. That’s amazing.

Mike: Definitely. I’m already trying to think about sales. I guess everybody wants to buy on Amazon. But we can also sell them on the website. I know we’re talking about packaging, putting on the packaging to instead putting off to buy on the website. We have Ecommerce on the shopping cart installed on Sisitano already. I got finished getting set up on Paypal and Stripe we’ll get that setup. Basically I think everything is kind of come together right now. The big accounts opened. Things got to opened everything so it’s all kind of like building up on the last couple of months and now we’re really doing it and it’s awesome. I mean just no excuses, right. I think that’s what we’re saying.

Lorenzo: Yeah, this is gotta be big. Bigger than, I was expecting a lot bigger than anyone can imagine, than one of us can imagine. Coz we have the powerful team network, we have the power of 5 amazing, mix awesome brains together working experienced people. We got to crash. I have an awesome feeling about this.

Mike: Great! So, I think we’ll keep it short today. I think will keep people updated. We’re keeping our promise. We’re sharing what we’re doing. And sharing the product. Of course, even on a team there’s some fear of sharing what we’re doing but I think we got to be growing fast. Honestly, I’m literally in a factory right now. A bluetooth speaker factory doing the interview for the video series and they’re nervous getting copied, too. But I think even they said in the interview, I think the point is by doing the survey, by understanding your market and by integrating your growing, I think right now it’s just the standard product but we got to be developing this based on feedback from the market. I don’t know if Lorenzo saw my launch brainstorming that but I was thinking we get to do a little launch party. Maybe even.

Lorenzo: Yes, absolutely.

Mike: I think in different cities even. Maybe even Jack and Roland in their hometowns or we can do it here in China or Hong Kong.

Lorenzo: That’s what next, in 2 weeks during your match up event in Shenzhen. I’ll invite people and I’ll see what I can do something for the next Global From Asia event in Hangzhou. We’ll organize, launch party for products as well after look at all the details. I will let you know. Yeah, that’s something incredible.

Mike: The reason I’ve done it for a lot of businesses I’ve done startups and apps, all kinds of stuff of products. The beautiful thing is we can take pictures and people using our product and get feedback and get video clips. So, we can kind of use that for content and use that for the business a long term. Alright guys, so I know we’re all busy, we already get back to hustling and making this rock. I got to try making that podcast, I mean obviously I know how to make podcast so I’m got to get that going. We should find some guests about relevant, the podcast will be about coffee. So we got to get some coffee experts. Actually, I talked to my friend Chris Moore. He listen to the show, he’s excited that I mentioned to him yesterday in Hong Kong. He loves coffee and he’s totally down to help us interview some people he knows that are into coffee.

Lorenzo: Awesome.

Mike: I think we should get that episode online next week.

Lorenzo: Yeah, Mike. My biggest concern, you know what is my biggest concern?

Mike: Sure, go ahead.

Lorenzo: And I will tell you later on our podcast. We may have a lot of products, inventory a lot sooner than we expect, especially now that we’re reaching out to obvious experts. We may run out within the week man.

Mike: I think that’s, actually I have heard from other big Amazon sellers that is a big problem they even faced, its running out of stock. It is got to be an issue. I was reading a marketing book called Cashvertising. I’ve read it twice now but basically we talked about the Cabbage Patch Kids Craze in 1983 and they run out of stock before going nuts for it trying to buy it out. And they almost got in trouble by like the New York consumer affairs department. Because they were still advertising, they’re marketing it when there was no stock left and people like finding in stores to try to get the last Cabbage Patch Kids. But of course that will be a problem but I think that’s a good problem, we shouldn’t fear that. But I do think we should start to prepare for the next order because we are making a small 400 pieces of order, right? About 400?

Lorenzo: 432.

Mike: 432 pieces guys, we should put our autograph (laughing).

Lorenzo: This is our baby. It will become collectors in a short period of time. Imagine this would be like the first Apple computer equivalent.

Mike: Awesome. Alright guys this is exciting. Let’s get back to hustling and we’ll link this up on the show notes and books, the blogs and the surveys. So let’s all have fun pushing. I can’t wait to grow this up.

Lorenzo: Sure, bye guys, super excited.

Mike: Hope the sound quality is acceptable for you guys. And we’re taking action here. No more messing around. It’s been a little bit of struggle. Finding the right product and we’re happy. Mayer was also talking to me privately and say yeah seems like we’re making a good choice getting Lorenzo in. Yeah man welcome to the team. Its got to happen I know he’s all excited after talking about kick starters. Sure man we got to innovate. Private Label Paraliving, I don’t know if you know it was PL. PL is also Private Label but you start with private label or maybe you start with retail arbitrage or start with dropshipping or whatever. But we’re going deep into this category. I got to do another thing in podcast, you know that Wendy. I’m starting another podcast for the Amazon business it’s the coffeejourney.com because we want to interview, we’re selling the coffee products, so we’re got to be interviewing experts in coffee and to know the coffee industry even more and build relationships in coffee. That’s what this is all about. This podcast even Global From Asia it’s about building relationships, guangxi in China right. Building relationships online, building trust, building repertoire so I hope you guys are with me here all the way til the end of the day show. And just keep taking action. We got to make it happen.

Welcome to the Global from Asia Ecommerce Gladiator Series where you can follow along the progress of setting up a Cross Border Ecommerce business from start to finish. Hear insights of real product research, Amazon FBA, China manufacturing, branding, marketing, and all the blood, sweat, and tears of building a global business from Asia.