Label the evidence
Add a source, collection date and definition to every figure. Estimated sales, visible ads, a supplier quotation and your own sample inspection are different kinds of evidence. Do not combine them into an apparent record of achieved sales.
Look for a problem you can solve
Group complaints into fit, materials, shipping, instructions and expectations. Focus on causes you have the ability to improve. Copying the appearance of a popular product does not resolve its customers’ underlying frustration.
Run a small delivery test
Give suppliers a specification covering materials, dimensions, tolerances, packaging, quantity, lead time and defect handling. Inspect samples and test the packaging. Store photographs, batch details and results together so a verbal claim cannot replace verification.
Use scenarios, not a single forecast
Calculate conservative, central and optimistic scenarios for selling price, landed cost, returns and acquisition cost. None is a promise. Set the size of an initial order using affordable downside and the cash-conversion cycle, not the most optimistic profit column.
