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Test a physical product on a marketplace before building a store

Thurso Surf · See the business →
Who it’s for
Someone with a job they worry about who could run a small online shop and is willing to work with a contract manufacturer.
The lesson
The founders tested a few products on a large marketplace in 2017 before launching their own store in 2018, so the marketplace supplied customers and feedback while the brand was still unproven. A newcomer can copy the order of steps, with one product and a small first order, even though the scale is out of reach.

Who pays and why

Buyers are recreational paddlers and people trying the sport who want a board that packs into a bag and stores in an apartment or car. The founders chose inflatable boards for that reason. The offer is a complete package (board, pump, paddle and bag) at about $500 to $700, with a warranty and a return window to lower the risk of buying a large item online. The company says it aims for premium feel at accessible prices.

Still inside
  • How it reaches customers
  • What is defensible
  • Where AI can help a newcomer
  • How to start smaller this month
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