Don’t Let Your To-Do List Delay Your Product
Running a business means there is always something that needs your attention.
There are customers to respond to, emails to answer, marketing campaigns to plan, inventory to manage, employees or vendors to coordinate, and countless small decisions that need to be made every day.
When you are managing all of this at once, it is easy for one important thing to get pushed aside: Your product.
Maybe you have been thinking about launching a new skincare product, developing a private-label cosmetic, expanding your product line, or finally turning an idea into something you can sell.
You know you need to move forward, but the day-to-day responsibilities of running your business keep getting in the way.
If this sounds familiar, it may be time to stop treating your product as another item on your to-do list and start treating it as a business priority.
Your Product Deserves Your Attention
You started your business because you believed in an idea.
Maybe that idea was a solution to a problem you saw in your industry. Maybe you wanted to create a product your customers were asking for. Or maybe you saw an opportunity to build another revenue stream around your existing business.
Whatever the reason, developing that product requires more than having a great idea.
It requires making decisions, creating a realistic plan, and taking consistent steps toward getting the product ready for the market.
The longer your product stays on your to-do list, the longer it takes to become a real part of your business.
Being busy is not the same as moving forward.
You Don't Have to Have Everything Figured Out
One of the reasons business owners delay product development is because they think they need to know everything before they get started.
You may be wondering:
What type of formula do I need?
Should I create a custom formula or choose an existing formula?
What ingredients should be used?
How much will development cost?
How many units should I manufacture?
What type of testing will I need?
What packaging should I use?
How long will the process take?
What information do I need before contacting a manufacturer?
These are important questions, but you do not need to answer every one of them by yourself before starting a conversation.
Working with an experienced product development and manufacturing team can help you understand your options and determine what needs to happen next.
The first step does not have to be having the perfect plan.
The first step can simply be starting the conversation.
Make Time for the Product You Started the Business to Create
Your product should not only receive attention when everything else on your schedule is finished.
Because if you wait until you have extra time, there may never be a perfect time.
Instead, create time for it.
Set aside time to research your formula options. Review potential manufacturing quantities. Think about your target customer. Look at packaging. Create a preliminary budget. Talk with a product development team.
Even one productive conversation can help turn an idea that has been sitting in your head into a project with actual next steps.
Start With the Right Questions
Before moving into production, it helps to understand what you are actually trying to create.
Consider questions such as:
Who is the product for?
Your target customer should influence everything from the product concept to the formula, packaging, pricing, and positioning.
What problem does the product solve?
A strong product concept should have a clear purpose. Think about what you want the customer to experience or what need the product is intended to address.
What type of product do you want to create?
Are you developing a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, hair product, body product, cosmetic, or another type of personal care product?
Defining the product category helps establish the development process.
What makes your product different?
Your product does not necessarily need to reinvent an entire category. However, you should have a clear reason why your customer would choose your product.
What is your expected production quantity?
Manufacturing quantities can affect your budget, packaging decisions, inventory planning, and launch strategy.
The more clearly you can answer these questions, the easier it becomes to have productive conversations with your development and manufacturing partners.
Custom Formula or Existing Formula?
Another decision business owners often face is whether to develop a completely custom formula or start with an existing formula.
A custom formula is developed specifically around your product concept and requirements. This can be a good option for brands looking to create something unique and establish greater control over their product development.
An existing or stock formula can provide another path for businesses that want to bring a product to market without starting formulation development from scratch.
There is no single answer that works for every business.
The right approach depends on your product, goals, budget, timeline, and how much customization you need.
Don't Forget About Manufacturing
Developing the formula is only one part of bringing a product to market.
Once the product is ready, you also need to think about manufacturing, packaging, testing, production quantities, quality control, labeling, and other launch considerations.
Planning these elements early can help you avoid unnecessary delays later in the process.
If you already know that you want to manufacture your product, it can be helpful to understand the manufacturing process before you finalize every detail of your product.
Use Your Resources
You do not have to spend hours trying to find every answer yourself.
Take advantage of educational resources, professional guidance, and experienced vendors who can help you navigate the process.
For example, understanding the potential costs associated with developing and manufacturing a cosmetic product can help you build a more realistic business plan.
You can also learn more about what actually goes into a professional skincare formula before beginning the development process.
Helpful resources include:
The goal is not to become a cosmetic chemist or manufacturing expert.
The goal is to become informed enough to make good business decisions.
You Don't Have to Take the Next Step Alone
If you have been putting off product development because you are unsure where to begin, start with a conversation.
Book a call with Emma to discuss your product concept, where you are in the development process, your manufacturing needs, and what your next steps could look like.
You do not need to have every detail figured out before the call.
You just need to be ready to start.
Schedule the meeting. Make time for your product. Bet on yourself.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or regulatory advice. Healthcare providers should consult qualified legal, regulatory, and professional advisors regarding telemedicine, licensing, prescribing, product claims, payment processing, and other requirements applicable to their business.
