How to take a successful retail online/wholesale small business to the next level

Request: How to take a successful retail online/wholesale small business to the next level

Requestor’s comments precede; counselor’s advice italacized.

Last summer I started a small business making and selling XXXX. I sell retail online, as well as wholesale to several high end XXXs in the US and Canada. have a contract worker making my XXX, and I fulfill all the custom orders. I am adding another contract worker this fall to keep up with orders.
First, I agree that Contract workers are the way to go at this time, as long as they work out of their own premises. You’re already aware of the 1099 requirements, I assume.

I want to take it to the next level, but I don't know where to begin. I have an art and journalism background, but never took a business class at all while in college.
The art and journalism backgrounds should be useful. News Releases to all of the Retailer, Wholesaler, and manufacturing publications in the appropriate areas can help get your name known among the prospective customers you seek. Pictures should accompany the news releases, the latter of which should present news, not disguised ads.
A Direct Marketing program aimed at the manufacturers and large retailers purchasing departments, might also be useful, though be careful not to pass along useful competitive information. Teasers indicating product compatibility with their products might be the message. Plus, statistics showing how your sales have grown, plus projections and naming your customer sections. It would be impressive if you pulled the Summary from your business plan, as it would discuss some of these points.
If you don't have a current business plan, do nothing until you update or create one. Samples can be downloaded from the SCORE website.
If you’re not aware how to find these publications, the libraries in larger cities should have the Standard Rate and Data Sources (SRDS) books which list thousands of US publications, by categories.
I know you’re busy, but night classes in business, if only one per semester, will help. They say the busy person is the better person!
Are there Manufacturer’s Reps in your industry? If so, they could help present your products to prospective clients.
One point I’ve learned is that larger businesses like Sears will not add a line until that product has proven highly successful.
What I'd love to happen is to make a deal with a larger XXX manufacturer so that I get a percentage of sales and get to design future products in my line, but that they would provide their name, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution.
What you’re looking for are royalties.


How would I get something like that? I know that my product really isn't a business... it's just one product. How would I go about setting up a meeting with a larger toy manufacturer, and how would I find out about companies that may be interested in my product?

An established company would set up a meeting, take along its lawyer, and have iron-clad non-disclosure or non-compete contract(s). Manufacturers dealing with a company your size will never sign such a contract, as they might already have such a product in the pipeline.
What would be ideal for you for your product to attract inquiries from larger companies. They then would be in the right frame of mind to sign the non-disclosure/non-compete contracts.


Thanks so much for your help!
I’m afraid I haven’t been too much help relating points you may already know.


(Counselor might also have suggested in-person meetings with SCORE counselors.)