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Guest Alesya Opelt

Help Wanted: Leather Bag Prototype Needed

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Guest Alesya Opelt

Hello! I have a laptop bag made it pleather that I'd like to get made in leather. In needs a few tweaks, but the basic design is there. Looking for someone to help me with this process. I currently live in South Carolina and would like to find someone local. However, I am willing to travel so anyone with the United States in welcome. Please email me at alesya_opelt@yahoo.com if you are interested. Thank you for you time!

PS - If you'd like to learn more about what I'm doing, feel free to check out my blog here:

http://alesyabags.wordpress.com/

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I had mixed feelings about answering this request. But I will anyways, and somewhat seriously, I guess. I did look at your website, and can see a passion for what you hope to create. I also see that you are willing to hire professionals to help move in the right direction.

The past year, I have worked with several individuals and companies wanting prototype work done. All good people, but not seeming to grasp all that is entailed in such work. I have invested a great deal of my time in developing patterns from such things as old photographs, or crude drawings. Some have decided not to follow up their ideas, based on the samples I have provided, either because of my interpretive vision, or it not living up to their vision on the first go round. Some continue to work with me. But for a few, time spent has not equaled pay. That's the nature of a small craftsman's business. He is willing to invest his own time towards maybes. Those that have thriving shops, with employees tend to not want to give up time towards "possible" ventures. They have enough on their benches.

As in all this work, there are difficulties. First off, however, there is the communication gap. Email is the least effective method of transferring a vision into a final product. Phone calls can often work out some details, but in the end, after discussions, and mailing back and forth samples and prototypes, there are still problems to work on. Someone has to be in it for the long haul to make it work.

The last up and coming fashion bag designer I read about, invested over $100,000 between prototyping designs and launching their product. That included computer design work, tannery choices, and live testing. It did not include marketing expenses. They reached out to CAD developers, craftsmen, and pattern makers to get exactly what they had envisioned. To reach the higher end market intended, I think that is a bare minimum. Anything else is pure luck, like a viral video catching on.

A craftsman can help develop a product, most often at less cost than assembling a team of professionals, but not without hours of trials and errors. The person who wants their vision to be real has to be willing to accept that, and be able to finance the work through the discouragements, and until a satisfactory conclusion.

Manufacturing on a large scale would probably require more than most on this board would be capable of. A few dozen, or even a hundred with some months of time, sure, but 1000 next week, not likely. Large scale operations require large scale capabilities, and investment.

All that being said, I'm here in my one man shop up in NC, feel free to contact me.

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This is how I handle R & D jobs.

First I qualify the perspective client.

who are they?

Can they afford this level of service?

Do they have any experience?

If I feel that the client is a qualified perspective customer then we talk money.

The Charges brake down like this:

I work it like my attorney does, on retainer

After a simple consultation usually free of charge.

i will disclose billing and charges. and what they can expect to pay for different levels of service.

If this topic scares them then I know it's time to end the meeting and get back to my life.

Here goes:

R&d $250.00/ hr + materials & custom tools

This includes all the development time, pattern making, information gathering, along with a time and motion survey, primary and backup vender's list with parts numbers and samples. This all becomes the clients intellectual property.

I'm hired to invent they own the invention.

Production time $60.00/ hr / per person + materials & Custom tools

The client is free to select any production steps to use at my facility or they can utilize a vender of there choice.

The R&d fee may seem high but I simply put it like this. I prorate to the minute and they are free to audit time. they have access to 30 years of data and experience.

I find most people have good ideas without an understanding of what it takes to see a project through to market. If it cost a customer $100.00 to learn they are over there head then they got off cheap and can focus on finding a new idea to work on.

Sometimes it's not the jobs you get but the jobs you avoid.

I hope this helps

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Guest Alesya Opelt

Thank you for viewing this post and replying with such thoughtful answers! Your time and advice are much appreciated for an entrepreneur.

RDB - I know you had some concerns about leaving a post, but I'm certainly glad you did. Your frank advice and experience gave me great insights. Your last comments have lead me to believe that I need to find a larger company who is willing to grow with me. I think you are right and will move in that direction.

Al Bane - Your post was great to read as I estimate my own costs. I am positive many other people on this board will also benefit greatly from this information. It's practical information from an obviously successful businessman.

I have featured your work and linked to your site on my blog. Perhaps others are looking for someone just like you. If you'd like to see what I included, here's the link: http://blog.alesyabags.com/2010/08/04/custom-leather/

Again, thank you for all your help. I look forward to visiting this board for more advice in future.

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This is how I handle R & D jobs.

R&d $250.00/ hr + materials & custom tools

This includes all the development time, pattern making, information gathering, along with a time and motion survey, primary and backup vender's list with parts numbers and samples. This all becomes the clients intellectual property.

I'm hired to invent they own the invention.

Right on. A lot of clients don't realize how much material can be wasted in developing a new concept, as well.

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Guest Rhonda

?? Considering to my knowledge everyone using this site HAND CRAFTS can anyone make 1000 pieces in a week?

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Hats off to the Artisans who helped to bring into prespective what it takes to make a leather creation.

I am constantly asked if I will take 20 bucks for something I have spend days to create. I just added a section

over this subject on my blog.

Thanks for extending the knowlege base.

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Guest RockerKevin

When people get prototypes made, do any of them ask to have non-disclosure agreements signed?

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I have signed many NDs in my time, but I always tell the people first that, before you go about hiring an attorney to develop one, at least give me a glimmer of what you are hoping for. I've seen many a product over the years, and your new idea may very well have been done before. I have had customers really believe they have something new, and within seconds I have sent them photos of something either similar, or exact. The non-disclosure is a perfectly legitimate way of doing business, but there's a few of us that still believe a person's word is his bond.

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Alesya, albane' prices seem more than fair. With all the work involved very reasonable IMO.

Curt Gillock

www.twofoolsleathergoods.com

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Hi,

I just saw your reply and am interested as I am looking for someone to make my prototypes but in a large range of colours in styles.

I would like to discuss:

  • I am located in Australia. How this would complicate working together as I would like to hear your opion, input, work on changes.
  • Fees for multiple design styles, colours and in sizes.
  • Design protection. How can I be certain that these wont be copied and sold at markets etc.
  • My designs are maily leather but also involve copper detailing etc.

Kind regards,

Jessica

This is how I handle R & D jobs.

First I qualify the perspective client.

who are they?

Can they afford this level of service?

Do they have any experience?

If I feel that the client is a qualified perspective customer then we talk money.

The Charges brake down like this:

I work it like my attorney does, on retainer

After a simple consultation usually free of charge.

i will disclose billing and charges. and what they can expect to pay for different levels of service.

If this topic scares them then I know it's time to end the meeting and get back to my life.

Here goes:

R&d $250.00/ hr + materials & custom tools

This includes all the development time, pattern making, information gathering, along with a time and motion survey, primary and backup vender's list with parts numbers and samples. This all becomes the clients intellectual property.

I'm hired to invent they own the invention.

Production time $60.00/ hr / per person + materials & Custom tools

The client is free to select any production steps to use at my facility or they can utilize a vender of there choice.

The R&d fee may seem high but I simply put it like this. I prorate to the minute and they are free to audit time. they have access to 30 years of data and experience.

I find most people have good ideas without an understanding of what it takes to see a project through to market. If it cost a customer $100.00 to learn they are over there head then they got off cheap and can focus on finding a new idea to work on.

Sometimes it's not the jobs you get but the jobs you avoid.

I hope this helps

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Guest Eli

Hi everyone,

 

If you need any bag design, prototyping and manufacturing visit www.bareboulder.com

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