How to Design and Produce Products from Scratch — A Step-by-Step Guide for Entrepreneurs

Creating a successful product from scratch is the stuff that entrepreneurial dreams are made of, but it’s a journey that’s equal parts challenging and thrilling. From identifying a consumer pain point to delivering a refined product onto the market, the process requires dedication, innovation and meticulous planning.

I’ve traveled this road time and time again with my cat brand tuft + paw, creating everything from an award-winning litter box to a mid-century modern cat tree. In this article, I’ll take you through the steps I’ve followed to bring our designs to life and build a thriving ecommerce company.

Related: A 3-Step Process for Creating Great Products Every Time

1. Identify a need/problem

The foundation of any successful product lies in addressing a specific customer need or solving a problem. Start by conducting market research in your industry to identify gaps and common issues with existing products or services. Talk to potential customers, conduct surveys, and analyze industry trends to understand the pain points of your target audience. The more clearly you define the problem, the more focused your product development process will be.

2. Conceptualize your idea

Once you’ve identified a need, it’s time to unleash your creativity. Brainstorm designs, materials and features that can fulfill the identified need effectively. Don’t be shy at this stage — innovation always looks crazy at first. If an idea is good, it will survive to the later stages of the development process. Pay special attention to the uniqueness of your product and how it will stand out from the competition.

Once you’ve settled on a concept, find an industrial designer to create mockups that visualize your ideas and transform them into tangible designs. I’ve had success using online platforms like Upwork which provide access to a pool of talented industrial designers. It often takes time to find the right person, but once you do, they’ll be able to help you refine the design and meet your aesthetic and functional requirements.

3. Validate your product concept

Before diving deep into the production process, it’s absolutely essential to validate your product concept. As long as your product doesn’t involve some sacred intellectual property, share your idea with potential customers. Consider offering pre-sales, even if it’s to friends and family, as this can serve as a strong indicator of demand. If there is a positive response and interest from potential customers, you can proceed with confidence. It’s understandable that some entrepreneurs may be hesitant to reveal their ideas, but receiving feedback and gauging interest early on can save you valuable time and resources in the long run.

Related: How to Take Your Product From Idea to Reality

4. Find a manufacturer

After validating your concept, the next critical step in the production journey is finding the right manufacturer. Websites like Alibaba offer a vast array of manufacturers, but you’ll have to exercise due diligence to separate the strong contenders from the weak. Start by tracking down manufacturers who make a product similar to your design, then narrow the field based on their track records, customer reviews and pricing.

Order samples from potential manufacturers to verify the quality of their products. Evaluate the samples carefully, considering aspects like materials, workmanship and functionality. Once you have chosen a suitable manufacturer, clearly communicate your modifications and specifications to customize the product according to your vision.

5. Exercise patience and expect multiple iterations

Producing a high-quality product always requires several iterations and adjustments. Be patient throughout the process because, barring a miracle, it almost always takes considerable time to achieve the desired outcome. Expect at least three months for each new product iteration, from refining the design to receiving the final sample. Maintain open communication with the manufacturer, sharing photos, drawings and detailed explanations of the desired changes. Clear communication will help minimize misunderstandings and ensure the manufacturer accurately implements your vision.

6. Put your product into the wild and solicit feedback

Before finalizing the product for mass production, put it out into the wild to gather valuable feedback from potential customers. Offer prototypes or limited editions to selected individuals or groups, and encourage them to provide honest feedback. This step allows you to gain insights into how customers perceive your product, identify any shortcomings and make final improvements. Even the most thoroughly conceived product may have unexpected flaws or specific use cases where it doesn’t perform as expected. There’s simply no substitute for in situ testing.

Related: 3 Simple Product Development Lessons All Entrepreneurs Should Remember

I know from experience that designing and producing products from scratch can be an incredibly rewarding experience as an entrepreneur. It’s no cakewalk, but if you follow the general steps outlined here, you’ll be well-equipped to take any product from dream to reality.

It all starts with identifying a need, but every step along the way requires your utmost attention — from conceptualizing the idea to finding the right manufacturer to gathering feedback from prototype testers. As long as the pain point you’ve identified is true and solvable, your persistence will pay off. Stay dedicated to your goal, be open to learning, and embrace the evolution of your product as it takes shape.