DiscoverThe Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan585: The $100K Mistake Most Founders Make with Manufacturers (and How to Avoid It) (Best of Foundr)
585: The $100K Mistake Most Founders Make with Manufacturers (and How to Avoid It) (Best of Foundr)

585: The $100K Mistake Most Founders Make with Manufacturers (and How to Avoid It) (Best of Foundr)

Update: 2025-09-05
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Description

Kian Golzari is one of the world’s leading experts in sourcing and product manufacturing—developing over 2,500 products and visiting 500+ factories.




In this episode, he shares how to go from idea to product without getting burned by bad suppliers or poor-quality manufacturing. Whether you're working with Alibaba or building a custom product from scratch—this is your playbook.




What you’ll learn:


• How to vet suppliers and avoid common sourcing mistakes


• His exact 3-step product development system


• How to approach factories like a pro (even if it’s your first product)


• Why negotiation is more about positioning than price


• What he’s learned from working with the NBA, UN & billion-dollar brands


• His best tips for working with Chinese manufacturers in 2025 and beyond




If you’re creating a physical product or want to improve your margins—this episode will save you time, money, and a ton of headaches.




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Connect With Nathan Chan
Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠




Connect With Kian Golzari
Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


YouTube → Click Here




Follow Foundr for More Business Growth Strategies
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LinkedIn → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Podcast → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here

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585: The $100K Mistake Most Founders Make with Manufacturers (and How to Avoid It) (Best of Foundr)

585: The $100K Mistake Most Founders Make with Manufacturers (and How to Avoid It) (Best of Foundr)

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