How Much Money Do I Really Need to Start Creating My Own Products?

Everyone has a different budget so there's no magic number to say what you should spend. Only you can determine your budget. BUT: the good news is that there are several options to consider… including an option that requires NO CASH OUTLAY. 

The myth that you need tens of thousands of dollars to create a product to get started is just that, a myth. 

Now, don’t get me wrong, if you are inventing a product from scratch, one that requires creating molds and / or lab testing, special designs, engineering, and the like, yes – a large investment is probably required, but it all depends on what you want to create. For the most part, and for most – you don’t need a huge investment to start. 

The key is getting started...

If you are a blogger, content creator, recipe developer, travel or fitness pro, educator, or an expert in your niche, one of the best ways to grow your brand is to stand out from your competition. And make money doing so.

Like many, you’ve built a loyal following who look to you for advice on how to do things better. And you show them how. They go to you for advice and they trust you.

Over the years, I’ve spoken to thousands of people at various parts of their journey. (I’ve been doing this for more than 2 decades, so I’ve heard a lot!) From those just starting out to others who’ve built brands but want to continue to grow, the thing I’ve most often heard is they want to create something of their own… a tangible product they can sell. A product that solves a problem and makes life easier for others. They just don’t know how or where to begin.

Like my mother always told me: “When you know how, it’s easy.” Thanks, Bernice. (Yes, she would have these initial quips as she held her wooded spoon in the air and then would explain to me what she learned along the way.) And so, I’m passing on what I’ve gleaned over the years...

If you’re tired of sending your followers away to buy someone else’s products or promoting someone else’s products and brands and wish you had time to spend doing that for your own brand, the time has come to "just do it"… and yes, now I’m quoting Nike. But here’s the thing… every brand has something you remember. And your brand is no different.

So – whether you want to create your own spice line because you have an amazing taco-seasoning blend, or a fabulous lunch box kids will go wild for (moms, too) to add to your meal-prep system, or you have all of the essential tools every baker must have to get started on their baking journey, you can.

Here are a few ideas:

Option #1: PRINT ON DEMAND (POD) - NO CASH OUTLAY!

One of the great things about Print on Demand is you don’t need to worry about where to store your products because when they're produced by the POD supplier, the products are shipped directly to your customer by the supplier… and you only pay for a product to be made when your customer places an order. So, there's no cash outlay for the product itself until a sale is made. They have everything from mugs to aprons.

OPTION #2: CUSTOM / DIRECT MANUFACTURING

If the POD supplier doesn’t have the product you need or the ability to customize it as you want,  you'll need to go the custom manufacturing route where you can create anything – the only limit is your imagination. I will show you examples of products you can create for $100 or even under $500 – and make a good profit.  

For those who want to begin small, there are literally thousands of products where you can order a small minimum from a manufacturer… and have it made the way you want. The myth that you need to order a "container load" to get started is untrue. You can start with as few as 25 or 50 or even 100 items at a price point that fits your budget. The key is finding the right supplier who has the product at your budget and who will produce it to your specifications. For example, did you know that you can create a spice blend with your own label and logo at a minimum of just 48 jars?

So, the answer to the question: “How much money do I need to start creating my own products?” Well, as my mother Bernice would say: "Start with a budget that works for your budget."

And I completely agree.

P.S. In the coming weeks, I will get into the nitty gritty of how and where to source products. The questions I bet you’re already asking are:

• How do I sell these products?

• Will people really buy them from me?

• And, where the heck am I going to store these products?

👉 Although if you're eager to learn more as quickly as possible, you're welcome to schedule a 60 minute coaching session with me so you can ask any questions on your mind!