In the world of international trade, every order has its own exciting story. This time, my experience with Chris from Austria was a perfect example of a business partnership that blossomed due to timing, trust, and a bit of fate.
Our First Encounter: Hong Kong Exhibition, October 2023
It all started at the Hong Kong exhibition in October 2023. I was showcasing our top-selling products – power banks and earbuds. Chris’s company was looking for exactly these products, and we clicked immediately. We exchanged business cards, had a brief chat, and while we didn’t dive deep into specifics right away, something about his approach told me he was serious about quality.
After the exhibition, we kept in touch, and what followed was a process that led to a long-term business relationship.
Five Months of Communication, Then the First Order
After the exhibition, our communication continued steadily over five months. Chris slowly clarified his needs, and I ensured we were in sync with the details. In March 2024, after a lot of back-and-forth, we finally reached an agreement, and the first order was placed.
The Transaction Process: Two and a Half Months of Negotiation
It took two and a half months from the inquiry to payment, totaling a $40K order. Every step was a new challenge that tested our patience and commitment to the process.
Chris was particularly interested in our power banks and headphones, which are popular in North America. These products had all the necessary certifications – CE, ROHS, FCC, MSDS. After testing the samples, Chris was satisfied, but asked if we had certifications like REACH, ERP, or RED. At that moment, we didn’t, but I quickly assured him we could obtain these during production without additional costs. After two rounds of price negotiations, we finalized the price and quantity, and soon received the deposit.
Execution Phase: Smooth Operations, Quick Delivery
Everything went smoothly in the execution phase. With ready stock of the regular products, we could quickly move to material preparation and start production. The material prep took 1-3 days, sampling 3-5 days, and production 3-10 working days. Once we had everything confirmed, we started mass production.
What really mattered was our attention to detail. For instance, the logo design, packaging, and functional adjustments were all reviewed and confirmed before production. When issues arose, we addressed them swiftly. For example, a printing error on a small-language file was quickly corrected with adhesive stickers, ensuring the final product met Chris’s expectations.
Building Friendship Beyond Business
The collaboration with Chris has turned into more than just a business partnership. We found that we had common interests, like our experiences in Cairo for work. We both had similar impressions of the city, which sparked a deeper connection.
We also discovered that we both have two children, and that commonality made our conversations about balancing work and family even more meaningful. Now, our business relationship feels more like a friendship, with shared stories about family and life.
Conclusion: Trust and Synergy Create Long-Term Success
Today, we continue to work together with regular orders every quarter. Our relationship has grown beyond just business. It’s about mutual respect, trust, and understanding.
If you have phone accessories, power banks, smart glasses needs, or if you just want to hear more about my experiences, don’t hesitate to get in touch! I’ll make sure to provide you with the best products and solutions as quickly as possible. Let’s create more success stories together!
