How It Works
No surprises. No disappearing deposits. Just a clear process.
The worst sourcing experiences start with vagueness. An unclear brief, a supplier who doesn’t understand the specifications, a deposit paid without a documented agreement. The problems compound from there. Here’s exactly what happens when you work with me, from your first message to the moment your goods arrive.
Step 01
You send me a brief
A message, an email, a list of photos. Tell me what you’re looking for, where you’re shipping to, and roughly what quantities you need. You don’t need a perfect brief.
- Photos or descriptions of the products
- Target quantity (even a rough range)
- Destination country
- Budget range (optional but helpful)
- Timeline: when do you need goods delivered?
Step 02
I come back with an honest first response
Within a few hours (during Bali business hours), I’ll respond with whether I have relevant suppliers in my network, a realistic timeline assessment, any red flags or concerns, and what I need to go further. If something isn’t realistic, the price is too low, the timeline is too tight, the product isn’t something Bali produces well, I’ll tell you now.
Step 03
Supplier search and shortlisting
I search my network. For most categories I have existing relationships I can draw on immediately. For new product types I research and visit candidates. I present you with a shortlist, usually 2–3 options, with my honest assessment of each, indicative pricing, and production timelines.
Step 04
Factory visits and verification
Before I recommend a supplier I haven’t used before, I visit them. I photograph the facility, assess production capability, check past work, and have a real conversation in Bahasa about your order. I report back with what I found, including concerns, if there are any.
Step 05
Sample approval
No production starts without approval. I arrange a sample or detailed photo documentation against your specification. You review and confirm, or flag changes. Only when you’re satisfied does production begin.
Step 06
Production monitoring
I stay in contact with the supplier throughout production. Not just at the start and end. For longer production runs I may do a mid-production check to catch problems early.
Step 07
Quality control inspection
Before goods are packed for shipping, I inspect them. Dimensions, materials, finish, quantity, checked against your approved specification. Documented with photos. If something’s wrong: I tell you immediately with photographic evidence and nothing ships without your go-ahead.
Step 08
Export documentation
Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and any product-specific certificates. Prepared correctly. Checked. Ready for your destination customs.
Step 09
Cargo and shipping
Goods are collected, packed professionally, and loaded. I supervise the loading and confirm with photos. Your shipment is booked with my trusted cargo partner. You get tracking details. I follow the shipment with you.
Step 10
You receive your goods
Your destination customs broker handles clearance at your end. Your goods arrive. You unpack and check them. And then, ideally, you message me about the next order.
What happens when things go wrong
Things go wrong sometimes. A production run has a defect. A container is delayed. A specification was misunderstood despite everyone’s best efforts.
When problems happen, I deal with them directly. I don’t disappear. I document the issue, communicate with the supplier in Bahasa, and work through the resolution, whether that’s replacement production, a price adjustment, or a clear explanation of what happened.
That’s the job.
Ready to start?
Send me your brief. I’ll read it, ask what I need to, and come back with an honest assessment of what’s possible.