FittBite Episode 290: I Switched Manufacturers After a Disaster—Here’s How I Found a Reliable One

·11 min·1 clip

Shadi Adada lost thousands working with wrong sportswear manufacturers and reveals how to find reliable ones.

Shadi Adada, co-founder of FitDesign, opens by recounting personal financial losses from working with unreliable manufacturers over five to ten years. He introduces himself as a creative director helping brands design and produce sportswear. The episode is structured into three main sourcing methods: online platforms, offline trade shows, and using sourcing agents. For online sourcing, he recommends Alibaba with tips on verifying gold suppliers, checking reviews, and using trade assurance for payment protection. He also mentions Global Sources as a more tailored alternative and India Mart for Indian textiles, noting China's dominance but India's volume advantages. Thomas Net is highlighted for US-based manufacturing. Offline sourcing involves attending trade shows like ISPO in Munich, Canton Fair in China, and Magic in Las Vegas to build human relationships and access higher-quality suppliers. He advises bringing a Google Sheets to track interactions and limiting time per supplier. Sourcing agents can be found on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr for negotiation and access. Red flags include too-good-to-be-true prices, refusal to provide samples, slow communication, and lack of certifications. The episode concludes with a call to action for consultation services and thanks to listeners.

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