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Step 5: Manufacture You r Idea into a Product 79

your product to life. In addition, business is cyclical-you may not
always be doing a lot of production, so you probably want someone
who can be flexible with your cycles of production.

Once you have found a few contractors that may work for you,
ask to meet them at their factory. The factory should be clean and
offer good working conditions and decent pay. You don't want any
part of working with a factory that has unlawful work practices. If
the company wants to be paid in cash, it's a big red flag.

S afe and H ealth y Work ing Conditions

Whether you're able to visit your manufacturer or not, you must
determine whether it provides safe working conditions for its
employees. This process is somewhat easier if your plant is in the
United States but can be very difficult for overseas plants.

The U. S . Department of Labor handles the enforcement of laws
regarding the safety and health of workers in America. The divi­
sion called Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA,

www.osha.gov) regulates private industry's safety and health condi­

tions. Here are some things to watch for when visiting a U.S. manu­
facturing plant:

• OSHA rules and regulations should be posted in the factory for
workers to see.

• The work environment should be clean.
• Workers appear to be wearing appropriate safety gear.
• Machines appear to be functioning properly.

If you cannot visit , get some printed material , like a sample
invoice, company letterhead, and the owner's business card, then
become a private investigator. Perform your due diligence as best
you can by researching the company. Check them out through the
Better Business Bureau. There is no law that businesses have to be
accredited by the BBB, but if they are, it means that they have made
a commitment to act in good faith to resolve consumer complaints.