585: The $100K Mistake Most Founders Make with Manufacturers (and How to Avoid It) (Best of Foundr)

Kian Golzari is one of the world’s leading experts in sourcing and product manufacturing—developing over 2,500 products and visiting 500+ factories.

In this episode, he shares how to go from idea to product without getting burned by bad suppliers or poor-quality manufacturing. Whether you're working with Alibaba or building a custom product from scratch—this is your playbook.

What you’ll learn:

• How to vet suppliers and avoid common sourcing mistakes

• His exact 3-step product development system

• How to approach factories like a pro (even if it’s your first product)

• Why negotiation is more about positioning than price

• What he’s learned from working with the NBA, UN & billion-dollar brands

• His best tips for working with Chinese manufacturers in 2025 and beyond

If you’re creating a physical product or want to improve your margins—this episode will save you time, money, and a ton of headaches.

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