If you’ve been around here long enough, you know how much I value balancing my work and personal life. While I absolutely LOVE running my own business, I never wanted it to completely run me.
When I started Bessie Pearl, I was more than happy to work during naptime, late into the evenings, and on weekends—bias binding all day long! But as my business grew, so did my family and responsibilities. With two kids and an ever-increasing demand for my products, I found myself completely burnt out.
That’s when I realized something had to change. If I wanted Bessie Pearl to continue growing while maintaining the high standards I hold dear, I needed help producing my bindings.
But I’ll be honest—it was terrifying! What if the product wasn’t as good as the ones I made myself? Quality is EVERYTHING to me, and I didn’t want to let you down.
Here’s how I took the leap into working with a factory, navigated the challenges, and ultimately found a way to produce Bessie Pearl bindings without compromising on quality.
Why I Decided to Work with a Factory
Running a business like Bessie Pearl is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also time-consuming. I loved the creative process of making bias bindings, but there are only so many hours in the day.
The tipping point came when I realized that I couldn’t keep doing it all on my own—not if I wanted to grow and keep up with demand. Delegating production felt like the logical next step, but as someone who takes pride in every detail, it was a huge step outside my comfort zone.
My First Attempt: Overseas Production
In October 2023, I was approached by a company that works with a factory in China. They said they could produce my bindings and save me hours of time. I was intrigued and cautiously optimistic.
Over the next six months, I worked tirelessly to communicate every detail—fabric types, sizes, shipping requirements, and more. I even sent them fabric to create samples.
Unfortunately, the process was anything but smooth. The fabric got lost in the mail, I couldn’t get clear answers on costs or timelines, and the language barrier made everything more challenging. Honestly, I felt completely out of my depth.
Part of the email I received from the factory in China which finally made me decide it wasn't going to work out.
Finding a Domestic Factory
In May 2024, a member of a Facebook group I’m part of recommended a factory here in the U.S. I reached out to them, and they quickly sent me a sample.
When the sample arrived in June, I was thrilled! It looked fantastic, the process was seamless, and the quick turnaround time was a huge plus. I finally felt like I’d found the perfect solution.
Setbacks and Lessons Learned
In September 2024, I placed a large order with the U.S. factory. But when the shipment arrived, my heart sank. The quality was awful—the edges didn’t match up, the binding was wrinkled, and it looked nothing like what my customers expect.
I was devastated, but I knew I couldn’t give up. After several tough conversations with the factory about quality and expectations, they made significant improvements. By December 2024, they were able to produce bindings that met my high standards. I was thrilled!
How Working with a Factory Benefits You
Now that the majority of our products are produced for me, I have more time to focus on the parts of the business I love—designing new products, connecting with you, and growing Bessie Pearl.
Best of all, working with a factory means faster turnaround times for your orders. It’s a win-win!
Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners
If you’re considering outsourcing production for your business, here are a few lessons I learned along the way:
- Do your research: Take time to vet potential partners, both domestic and international.
-Communicate expectations clearly: Don’t assume a factory will know what you mean—spell everything out in detail.
-Prepare for setbacks: There will be hiccups, but persistence pays off.
-Trust the process: Finding the right partner takes time, but it’s worth it to protect your brand’s reputation.
This journey wasn’t easy, but it was worth it to ensure that Bessie Pearl continues to grow without sacrificing the quality you’ve come to expect. Thank you for being part of this adventure with me!
