Sourcing, Board of Advisors, & Playbooks

Whats up!

Well that was a hell of a week. We turned back on ads for Western Rise and it started going off. Big things ahead.

Strap in, because this week I’m sharing one of my top secrets - how to source anything. From hacks for sourcing goods to crafting your own council of advisors, and even a crucial step towards automating your workday, we've got a big list of wisdom to share. Let’s dive in!

Startup Playbook: Master the Art of Sourcing

This is my favorite thing to do. I source products for fun, so excited to share this one. Back when I was working for my dads’s company, this process was way more manual, sifting through trade and import docs with no search engine. I’m about to show you how easy sourcing for your brand can be. 

Finding the right suppliers can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, right? WRONG.

• Close Counts: Find a brand that is making something similar to what you are trying to make. We aren’t trying to copy them, just need them to point out a reliable supplier. 

• Dig Deep: You may be able to search with just their name, but just in case, find their ownership entity. Sometimes brands will import under different names.

• The Key: Head over to Importyeti.com (life saving tool), and search the brand or the ownership entity. You may need to make an account, but don’t worry, it’s free.

• Unlocked: Once you find them, you’ll see the top suppliers for the brand, what products they are supplying for the brand, and how frequently. 

• Almost There: Now click the supplier you want to connect with and hit the google button at the top. This will search google for the suppliers name. 

• One Small Step for Brandkind: Now you have to dig a little. Search the supplier’s website for contact emails. Always start there. Also, search linkedin for anyone associated with the supplier and send them messages. In a last ditch effort, you can always message other brands for an intro. 

• Your Bible: Remember last week when I said how important tech packs were, here’s where you’ll need one.

• Small Step, Big Leaps: Test the waters with a mini order before you dive in. It's like a first date before you decide they're "the one".

• Relationship Goals: Suppliers are more than just a source; they're part of your crew. Treat 'em right, and you’ll have a partner in crime for the long haul.

Bonus: If you’re more of a visual learner (me), check out this link to see this in action. 

Founder Playbook: Your Personal Advisors

Everyone needs a coach, or a few. Building a personal board of advisors is about surrounding yourself with experts who can guide you through uncharted waters. Not only that, they can sense if you’re pushing yourself to burnout before you can. This doesn’t have to just be business, maybe it’s health, wellness, etc. I recently hired a health coach in Mexico as an advisor and it’s been wild. I feel 10x better and lost 15 lbs in the first month. Here’s how:

• Identify the Gaps: Start by assessing your own skills and knowledge. Where do you need the most help? Is it finances, product development, or marketing strategy?

• Seek Diversity: Look for advisors who bring different perspectives and experiences. Diversity in thought and background can lead to more innovative solutions and strategies.

• Cultivate Relationships: Advisory relationships are built on trust and respect, not just transactional needs. Engage with potential advisors in a genuine manner, showing interest in their work and offering value in return.

• Set Expectations: Clear communication about what you're looking for and what advisors can expect from you is crucial. This includes the commitment level, areas of advice, and any compensation or incentives.

Building a personal advisory board can be a huge unlock. Real Talk: still working on this one myself. I have some great advisors, but need to formalize this a bit. I need people that will hold me accountable to my goals and give me real feedback.

Automation Playbook: Building Playbooks

A business (or life for that matter) is only as good as its systems. The secret to scaling efficiently lies in automation & delegation. But before you can automate, you need to create playbooks that detail every process in your business. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Document Your Processes: Start by writing down the steps involved in every key operation, from sales and marketing to customer service and fulfillment.

• Identify Repetitive Tasks: Highlight tasks that are repetitive and time-consuming. These are your prime candidates for automation or delegation.

• Select the Right Tools: Research tools that can automate these tasks. Look for platforms that integrate well with your existing systems and offer scalability or something you can easily train your assistant to do.

• Test and Refine: Implement your chosen solutions on a small scale first. Monitor performance and tweak your playbooks as needed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

• Train Your Team: Ensure everyone is up to speed on the new tools and processes. A well-informed team can maximize the benefits of automation.

Here’s a few things I thought were cool this week:

• Reading: Why Most Brands Get Social Media Wrong

• Doing: We have fallen in love with the small surf town of Sayulita, Mexico. I feel like it’s where my work/life balance is at it’s best. We are headed back for the month of April, but also coordinating a full international photo shoot there. If you’re looking for non-resort travel, I can’t recommend it enough.

• Watching: Steve Jobs: It Always Starts With the Customer - our CEO, Doug Babbit sent this over last week, and it’s such a classic reminder on how Apple always nailed the customer experience. Steve Jobs understood it better than most ever will.

Riding solo through the entrepreneurial journey can get lonely, but guess what? Here for you. This is all about breaking rules, pushing limits, and turning "what if" into "what is".

Catch you next week, where we'll keep helping you unlock things. Got a burning question or a challenge you’re facing? Hit reply. This is your community, and we’re all in this journey together.

Stay curious,

Will