Posts in Business
EP 192 - SFA Digital Summit HighPoint Audio - Influencer Marketing, Crowdfunding in COVID-19, with Nalin Chupetcharasopon

Description: Here is one of the topics that we will cover at the Summit. This videocast tackles the importance of Market Research, Influencer Marketing, Crowdfunding in COVID-19, and much more. Check it out!

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EP 191 - The Offbeat Life with Rico Ngoma

In this episode, Debbie Arcangeles speaks with Rico from The Offbeat Life:

“Over the last 5 years, his company has exported over USD 15 million worth of goods globally. Basically, if you want to make something in China — he’s your guy!”

Important Notes:

  • Living an Offbeat Life

  • Being an old soul

  • Moving to China

  • Being a big fan of Tim Ferriss

  • Enjoying High Peak times

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EP 190 - On the Factory Floor Audio: How to Buy a Plastic Injection Mold Machine

This is the audio form of the series “On The Factory Floor.” This episode tackles on how to buy a Plastic Injection Mold Machine

Important Notes:

  • Rico’s unexpected bus ride and cancelled plans

  • Spot if the factory has flow to the production

  • How clean is the factory

  • Are there instructions given to the workers

  • Do the different workstations

  • Who oversees the production

  • Different floors and offices

  • Conclusion or Factory Rating

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EP 189 - On the Factory Floor Audio: LED Assembly House

This is the audio form of the series “On The Factory Floor.” In this episode, Rico visits a LED assembly house.

NOTE: This is a videocast. For visual representation, please check our Youtube Channel.

Important Notes:

  • Spot if the factory has flow to the production

  • How clean is the factory

  • Are there instructions given to the workers

  • Do the different workstations

  • Who oversees the production

  • Different floors and offices

  • Conclusion or Factory Rating

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EP 188 - On the Factory Floor Audio: Yoga & Athleisure Factory Visit

This is the audio form of the series “On The Factory Floor.” In this episode, Rico looks at what’s inside a yoga & athleisure factory.

NOTE: This is a videocast. For visual representation, please check our Youtube Channel.

Important Notes:

  • Spot if the factory has flow to the production

  • How clean is the factory

  • Are there instructions given to the workers

  • Do the different workstations

  • Who oversees the production

  • Different floors and offices

  • Conclusion or Factory Rating

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EP 187 - On the Factory Floor Audio: Inside a High-end Leather Bag Factory

This is the audio form of the series “On The Factory Floor.” This episode describes what’s inside a boutique plastic injection mold & CNC machine factory.


NOTE: This is a videocast. For visual representation, please check our Youtube Channel.


Important Notes:

  • Spot if the factory has flow to the production

  • How clean is the factory

  • Are there instructions given to the workers

  • Do the different workstations

  • Who oversees the production

  • Different floors and offices

  • Conclusion or Factory Rating

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EP 186 - On the Factory Floor Audio: Guangzhou Textile Railway Market

This is the first audio form of a series we’re calling “On The Factory Floor.” This episode describes what it’s like to be at the Guangzhou Textile Railroad Market.

NOTE: This is a videocast. For visual representation, please check our Youtube Channel.


Important Notes:

  • What it’s like to be in the Guangzhou Project

  • Bring Physical Samples with you when roaming around the Market

  • Selecting the right Supplier/Manufacture for your product

  • Research your stuff before going to the Market

  • See how a Sales Agent respond to you

  • How important to keep in touch with your old contacts/suppliers

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EP 185 - On the Factory Floor Audio: Inside a Boutique Plastic Injection Mold and CNC Machine Factory

This is the audio form of the series “On The Factory Floor.” This episode describes what’s inside a boutique plastic injection mold & CNC machine factory.

Important Notes:

  • spot if the factory has flowed to the production

  • How clean is the factory

  • Are there instructions given to the workers

  • Do the different workstations

  • Who oversees the production

  • Different floors and offices

  • Conclusion or Factory Rating

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EP 184 - On the Factory Floor Audio: Inside a High End Cigar & Whiskey Box Manufacturer

This is the first audio form of a series we’re calling “On The Factory Floor.” This episode describes what’s inside a high-end cigar & whiskey box manufacturer.


Important Notes:

  • spot if the factory has flowed to the production

  • How clean is the factory

  • Are there instructions given to the workers

  • Do the different workstations

  • Who oversees the production

  • Different floors and offices

  • Conclusion or Factory Rating

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EP 183 - Don’t Negotiate Too Much With Your Suppliers

Obviously, 2017-2018 was a different time. Rico shares a fresh take on Negotiating too much with your factory. If you are talking to a factory right now, listen to this.

By the way we are launching a free evergreen conference that we’re running year-round. Along with enthralling topics in the physical manufacturing space.

Sound off in the comments section below for specific topics that you want to hear, and questions that you want answered.

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EP 182 - Preparing for a Crowdfunding Campaign from a Sourcing Standpoint

Description: Citing Coolest Cooler Crowdfunding in Kickstarter, Rico lays down some key-points that can help you prepare a successful Crowdfunding when launching your first ODM product in the market.

Important Notes:

- Focusing more on Marketing and not Sourcing

- Don’t over complicate your first Product

- Allocate Enough Time for Mass Production

- Plan ahead, and allocate enough Budget

- 4 Key-points for Preparing a Crowdfunding

By the way we are launching a free evergreen conference that we’re running year-round. Along with enthralling topics in the physical manufacturing space.

Sound off in the comments section below for specific topics that you want to hear, and questions that you want answered.

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EP 181 - Don't Be Fooled By "Overnight Factories"

Description: From their experience of inspecting many factories over the past, Rico shares subtleties and how to spot them when you are about to be fooled by an “Overnight Factory.” If you want to know more, make sure to listen to this podcast until the end.

By the way, we are launching a free evergreen conference that we’re running year-round. Along with enthralling topics in the physical manufacturing space.

Sound off in the comments section below for specific topics that you want to hear, and questions that you want to be answered.

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EP 180 - What it's like during Chinese New Year in China

Description:

In this episode, Rico describes what it’s like to experience Chinese New Year in China. He shares the contrasts of the week-long holiday compared to the normal days in the country. Make sure to tune in and get some tips on what to do next year!

By the way, we are launching a free evergreen conference that we’re running year-round. Along with enthralling topics in the physical manufacturing space.

Sound off in the comments section below for specific topics that you want to hear, and the questions you want to be answered.

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EP 179 - Rico's Ruminations on The Difficulties of Hiring & Managing Staff Part 1

Description:

Rico looks back to the previous employees he had, how he managed them. He also talks about transitioning from being a lone wolf to a manager. He also shares about how to let go of that control to someone that will manage a team in the company.


- Previous employees, current employees, and high retention rates in SFA

- The difficulties when hiring employees, building an identity being en employee

- His teaching experience in Organic, working with his students

- Being too “Buddy-buddy” to his early staff, separating himself from his staff

- Having good employees, and spreading his self too thin on SFA

- Hiring inexperienced staff and delegating tasks that got out of hand

- Being reminded of the values and ethos of the company by an employee

- Shifting his mindset from employee to employer, setting boundaries and core values

- Trusting your own staff more

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EP 178 - Rico's Ruminations - On Failure Part 2
EP 171 - How Sourcing Has Changed in 2020 and Beyond

Description: Manila is back on lockdown and Rico sits down and shares his thoughts on the Sourcing climate. Tune in to know what are his thoughts and make sure to share this if you can relate.

Important Notes:

  • How is sourcing done by then?

  • The “Anti-China” Sentiment/Stigma Globally

  • Getting Online presence to attract customers

  • Location-based Sourcing Company pros and cons

  • Shipping is still a nightmare

  • Watch out for surprise Customs inspection in China or other parts of the world

  • What then for Sourcing in 2020 and beyond

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EP 170 - Building Crowdfunding Campaigns in COVID-19 with Johnny Loh

Description:

As mentioned in this episode, similar to the 2008 recession, a lot of products or businesses will be launched after the pandemic. If you are one of the people forced to work from home or work online, this is the best time to think about launching a business/product. Tune in to this episode to know more.


Important Notes:

- Being location-independent, being a Brand Marketer, Starting a career from producing videos to E-Commerce

- Creating your own Brand rather than selling on Amazon, their Million-Dollar Product from Kickstarter

- Trying out the Digital Nomad lifestyle, living in Asia, Being an Amazon FBA Guru

- Struggles in Launching a Crowdfunding, Infringement in their first Brand of Silicone Rings

- A solid launch strategy doesn’t guarantee success, losing lots of money on multiple products they launched

- The Crowdfunding Climate: Then and Now, 2016 was the Golden year to launch a crowdfunding

- The Pandemic forcing people to work at home, and launch a commerce product

- Misconceptions in Crowdfunding, Pros, and Cons of Crowdfunding Platforms

- Personal Life struggles during the pandemic

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EP 164 - Debbie Arcangeles on Digital Nomads, Panic Attacks, and Starting a Podcast

Rico got to sit down with Debbie Arcangeles, Founder and CEO of The Offbeat Life. In this episode, they talk about growing up as an Immigrant in the West, Filipino Culture in General, and Create a living off of what you want to do.

Episode Notes:

  • Debbie on Digital Nomads, Difference between a Digital Nomad and a Location-Independent Entrepreneur

  • Growing up with hardworking parents and as immigrants, Filipino Expectations for their Family being Nurses

  • Working on 9 to 5 jobs to being an Entrepreneur, Dealing with Panic Attacks for several years

  • Starting a Podcast and quitting a 9-5 job, scaling the podcast and starting to earn from it

  • Creating a system to your business, the right mentality to implement on a business

  • Importance of getting people on board, and the consequences of doing the business all by yourself

  • Getting sponsorships quickly, getting on other people’s podcast for Marketing, getting featured in big Publications

  • Being a female Entrepreneur in the West, Females of being the head of the household

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EP 163 - 3 Decisions I Made At The Perfect Time Part 1

Rico sits down and reflects on the decisions that he made, and the things that worked out after making those decisions. He also talks about believing in Karma, the current situation in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, moving to the Philippines right before it went on lockdown, and more.


Episode Notes:

  • Moving to the Philippines during the pandemic, saying no to parties, catching on sleep

  • Setting up a remote business, putting up systems for your business, empowering employees

  • Dealing with an employee on the brink of leaving, pushing the business in the right direction

  • Communicational barriers from a cultural standpoint, leaving China

  • Productivity levels when outside the office, making employees feel family or partner of the business

  • Testing out the remote work systems in the company, adjusting to different time zones

  • Communication channels for remote systems, developing Standard Operating Procedures

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EP 162 - MarketWatch - Founder Spotlight, Rico Ngoma of Source Find Asia

As part of the Interview questions for MarketWatch’s Founder Spotlight, Rico shares his thoughts about where things are headed in the Next 5 Years.


Episode Notes:

  • Covid-19 caused a big shift to where things are headed

  • His canceled travel plans for Network Expansion

  • Strengthening SFA’s Services

  • Approach in Marketing

  • Building partnerships, and a whole ecosystem of network

  • Transitioning to a Knowledge-base company

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