I Can't Believe It - My Bag Prototype Actually Came in Small Business Startup Journal - The Journey To Starting My Own Brand of Travel Clothing and Handbags

I can’t believe what happened today. After exactly 3 months to the day of my last communication with my overseas manufacturer for my bag design, my prototype that I had designed came. I had long given up on receiving it as I was told it would only take a month to come. Fast forward 3 months with no bag and no communication from my manufacturer and I thought maybe it had not been sent to the right address, gotten lost in customs, or worse yet - that I had been taken for a ride.

So when my Nan came into my home office this morning and then told me I had a parcel and handed me a big brown taped box, I was surprised. I had been shopping quite a bit for the Christmas period and I was at one point receiving so many parcels I didn’t know that I was opening, but as that was long passed I just stared at the box in confusion. I stared at the from label stating it was from the Ukraine, then found the words ‘nobrand’ (my manufacturer). Thinking I had ordered some homebrand Kmart item from catch I tried to think what it could be, only to have my mind click that this was THE prototype I had been waiting months for.

I cut open the box with great enthusiasm and intrigue as it had been so long since I had seen my prototype over a zoom meeting that I had almost forgotten what my prototype looked like.

As I pulled away the paper I saw the crosstitch red leather bag I had been waiting for - in all its leather scented glory.

I have been able to go over it thoroughly and already I know what the next round of changes will be for my design, I am not sure on the shape of the body of the bag but the strap definitely needs to be doubled in length.

My next step is of course to find an Australian manufacturer, but before I can begin that process I have to get a job and save up enough for 3 prototypes to be made.
I don’t want to start contacting manufacturers only to tell them I will have to wait to save up for a prototype - that does not give the impression that I am serious about my business.

xxx Miss J

Last updated January 27, 2021