Exporting To the USA as a Small Business

>> On Mar 19, 2015, at 1:55 AM, AT wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I was thinking about exporting and today I watched your video on youtube on
>>> Finding Export Customer 1 2 and 3, and video about  sales agent of export.
>>>
>>> I didn't check it yet but i guess company mid sized to big business will be very interested in exporting themselves if they know how to do that.
>>> If that is right, that mean only small sized company that will be my target company to export their product.
>>>
>>> My friend family company is exporting shrimp. They buy the shrimp from local shrimp farmer, they package them with ice, and then export them. They added value, where the small local farmer cannot do that by themselves. Actually I know three to four people doing the same kind of this business successfully.
>>>
>>> I am wondering, from what product I need to start searching and trying.
>>>
>>> thanks
>>>
>>> AT

>> On Fri, Mar 20, 2015 at 1:13 AM, John Spiers <john@johnspiers.com> wrote:
>> Hey Arman,
>>
>> Take a look at what Indonesia sells to USA...
>>
>> Tell me which product you would want to sell, and why?
>>
>> http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/cy_m3_run.asp?Fl=m&Phase=HTS2&cc=5600&cn=Indonesia
>>
>> John

> On Mar 19, 2015, at 10:03 PM, AT wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> thanks,
>> I am interested in 2008200090 related to pineapple < Because I like fruit and it seems growing from looking at the data.
>> 2008191040 < cashew nut seem interesting. I like nuts. maybe an alternative
>>
>> Seems garment is growing industry and many small - mid sized business in Indonesia
>> 6210405020< mens' not knit man-made fiber anoraks, coats, jackets, etc, impregnated fabric
>>
>> 6117102030.--other made up clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted, parts of garments: scarves, shawls, mufflers, etc., less than 23 percent of wool
>> << seem scarf and shawls is start growing in Indonesia export to USA.
>>
>> So  I need to choose one as my starting point ?
>> Do you have any advice how to progress from here?

> On Sun, Mar 22, 2015 at 5:54 PM, John Spiers <john@johnspiers.com> wrote:
> Yes, choose one...  if there was one you could get passionate about, even better....
>
> But the next step is after you choose one...
>
> You tell me...
>
> John

On Mar 22, 2015, at 8:50 PM, ATwrote:

> Hi John,
>
> I am interested in Men's (deleted)
>
> Thinking about mango, pineapple, nuts, not very comfortable to imagine myself doing business in that area. (need to go to the farm is not my thing)
> I can see myself have passion in doing clothing...
>
> Best regards,
> AT

On Mon, Mar 23, 2015 at 11:28 AM, John Spiers <john@johnspiers.com> wrote:

OK AT,

Now your job is to organize supply and find customers in the USA, in essence use the information you learned in class…

You'll need passion to become expert in tis narrow field…

Yu can start by studying the import data of the top six suppliers to use on the number

(deleted)

Lert me know if you need help…

JOhn

On Mar 22, 2015, at 9:55 PM, AT wrote:

Studying which countries exported most to the USA using http://dataweb.usitc.gov/ ?

March 23, 2015 5:17:52 AM PDT

AT,

Right, including indonesia....

AT, the fact is no one will be convinced they should "do business with AT..."  You have no experience, no resources...  so why should they depend on you?  You must sell them first on doing the business, then second on AT....  you must start up the same way those who have nothing get started up.

By starting with the facts regarding trade in your product between your country and several others, you will show why people SHOULD trade.  You will show people not trading right now why they should.  You see, so far it will have nothing to do with you, it is about the opportunity you show them.

Once they decide it is a good idea, then you will tell them how you can help...  and why your help is worth more to them than their money.  In essence, you'll find the USA customer, most likely an importer, but possibly a retail chain or some other buyer in USA.

AT, an agent's two most critical functions are bilinguality and paperwork compliance...  I know nothing of Indonesian export paperwork, nor much about USA import paperwork.  You need only be the fellow arranges the proper documentation in Indonesia to get the products out of Indonesia and into USA.    You will be directed as to specifics by the Indonesian Freight Forwarder to whom you brought the export business.  People will pay a premium to make problems go away.  Makers make, traders trade.

There are many moving parts to this, and you will earn your money, but the fact although int'l trade is 100% based on relationships, the basis of the relationship is the quality of the work you do (as measured in how much money people make working with you).  But to survive you must only do the work that actually pays, you must talk about opportunities and and how to solve problems, and never mind AT.

So it is very important step by step, to keep people from looking at you, and look at the facts.  This helps you too, for you never take anything personally.  It is about making the trade happen. The first step is what trade has been going on, for the last five years at what price, in this product to USA, and what is Indonesia's place within the players in world export sales to USA or your product.  

So yes, work on that spreadsheet, and if you have trouble, let me know...

Hope this makes sense...

John

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