The next step

**baitman** · 10-12-2011, 09:48 AM

Yesterday was a busy day for us as DIY lure makers. We have been going back and forth the last month with a tackle rep. and yesterday he made the 900 mile trip down to see us. He was interested in distributing our products. We, and I am sure some of you do or will get contacted all the time from people that tell you they can do this and that for you but most all are only out to exploit us small guys for what ever they can get out of us. I can tell you from experiance, dont play their game. They came to you because they like what they see so make sure you get what you need to so that you cover all your cost plus a profit. The guy that came to see us I knew was serious. For one he willing to come see me, didnt ask for anything up front, not even free samples. After an 9 hour meeting yesterday we will be signing a contract with him to distribute some of our baits in 5 states, with the plastics hitting the stores in 2012. Let me tell you there is a lot that goes in to it. Not just making them up. Making them will be the easy part. lol We have ti narrow down some colors we will offer but it looks like next year will be the start of going from a diy guy to a full fledge manufacture.
IF your working towards something, keep at it. Dont jump at every opportunity that comes buy. Check these people out to make sure they can do what they say they can. Remember, they came to you so why should you compromise your price. Sure we will make less per piece taking this step but we can go from 100,000 baits a year to 1,000,000 a year with just a little planning. I would love to see more of us DYI guys products on the shelf taking the space away from the big boys that have lost touch with why they started it all. We do it because we love it.

**"G"** · 10-12-2011, 12:44 PM

congrats

**STUMP HUNTER** · 10-12-2011, 06:37 PM

Congrats Keith. That is a big steep to make and I hope you do very well.

**Percidae_Papermouth** · 10-12-2011, 07:28 PM

Congrats and those are some really nice baits for sure!

**Fatman** · 10-12-2011, 09:52 PM

WTG Keith!!!! Do hope you have trade marks or patents on these baits though. Tackle companies can and do mess people over.

**gospelsinger** · 10-12-2011, 10:40 PM

Congrats Keith,hope you do well, and your right about not compromising. More times then none the little man takes the hit. Those baits look AWSOME,can't wait to try some over the next couple of weeks. I am going to PM you with a couple of questions.

**Good Stuff** · 10-13-2011, 06:03 AM

Good For You!!
Your baits look great and i'm sure will do well in the market.
It always feels good to be pumped up about something new.Thumbs Up

**RonDon** · 10-13-2011, 08:01 AM

Awesome man! Moving on up! Yeah u better decide on a good machine.

**baitman** · 10-13-2011, 08:07 AM

thanks, no reason to get a machine right now, I would like to keep them hand pour as long as I can. with larger injectors and molds I can shoot 100 at a time. Plus there is a new bait coming soon that we are working with. It will be a caney creek mold.

**WhiteMeat** · 10-13-2011, 02:24 PM

Congrats on the success! You make some truly beautiful baits and they deserve some peg space. I've been in wholesale most of my career and I know how hard it can be to create a profitable supply chain. Hope it works out well.

And good idea avoiding the capital investment of a machine. Unless you're able to write it off, you're better off getting a little help in the shop as needed. Lord knows there's a deep labor pool out there right now...

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