From Chaos to Creativity: Sourcing Manufacturers

Sourcing manufacturers has been one of the hardest parts of building my business — and also one of the funniest (in hindsight).

Like many small businesses starting out, I turned to sites like Alibaba. Affordable and accessible? Sure. Easy to communicate with? Not at all. Things got lost in translation constantly. I once described a fabric as “soft and breathable” and got back something that felt like sandpaper. True story.

I’m a words person — I can explain, describe, and outline exactly what I want in excruciating detail. But turning that into images? Well… let’s just say my first tech packs looked like a toddler had drawn them. The manufacturers probably stared at them for five minutes wondering if I’d sent a secret treasure map instead of underwear designs.

And then there were the “pre-made product” moments. So many suppliers just wanted me to pick a style and slap my logo on it. I tried to explain I needed size inclusivity, the right fabrics, and tiny details like stitch placement — which led to a few very confused replies. One email even asked: “We have socks. Do you want socks?” Not exactly what I had in mind.

Australian manufacturers were another option, but let’s be honest: my bank account cried every time I asked for a quote. With the cost-of-living crisis, I knew my products needed to stay affordable if I wanted them to genuinely help and reach enough people.

Then I found Visionise — and everything changed. They do so much more than just connect me with manufacturers. They help refine my designs, create proper tech packs, and turn my words and sketches into something manufacturers can actually produce. Basically, they take my brain chaos and make it real.

Working with them has made the whole process fun again. I can focus on what I’m good at — designing, dreaming, and obsessing over details — while they handle the tricky technical side. And another thing I love? They’re happy to teach me along the way. Eventually, I’ll be able to do it myself and have that set of skills and knowledge on my own.

Sometimes it’s important to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses. I’m great at ideas and explanation, but not at technical translations. Having the right team around me has turned a stressful, confusing process into a collaborative, energising, and genuinely enjoyable experience. From bloopers to breakthroughs, this journey has reminded me: the right people don’t just make things easier — they make it fun again.