Page 84 - 597 Business Ideas You can Start from Home - doing what you LOVE! (Beginner Internet Marketing Series)

Step 5: Manufacture You r Idea into a Product 75

Make You r First Sample

You have described your idea in writing, sketched it, discussed it,
and thought long and hard about it-now you need to make it.
With your first sample (and this really depends on your specific
product), try to make it yoursel f to the best of your ability. It doesn't
need to be perfect, just good enough for you to get a sense of how
it will look. This may involve hand-cutting some materials and
rough-looking finishes, but that's okay-you just want to see how it
looks as it comes to life. This sample will help you figure out which
materials you need , how much of each material, and how they will
be bound together. With this information, you can begin searching
for manufacturers who can provide what you need.

million­ Every industry has associations you can use a s resources for
dollar ne'tw()rkl;na referrals, and information on issues that affect

TIP industry. These associations usually represent and pro­
mote the i nterests of their specific group. Some associations
may be local for a specific region only and some associations
are formed with a national presence and may or may not
have local chapters.

Some big associations that may help as a starting point depend­
ing on your product are:

• Consumer Electronics Association: www.ce.org
• Craft and Hobby Association: www.hobby. org
• Game Manufacturers Association: www.gama.org
• International Housewares Association: www.housewares.org
• International Music Products Association: www.namm.org
• International Spa Association: www.experienceispa.com
• National Association for the Specialty Food Trade:

www.specialtyfood. com
• National Confectioners Association: www.candyusa.com