I Found a Cheaper Supplier: How I Responded

Time management is the biggest challenge. Handle emails and order follow-up in the morning. Develop new clients in the afternoon. Learn in the evening. Use a CRM — your brain isn't a database.

Finding factories as a SOHO trader is challenging. Visit in person, present your client resources and sales capability. Pay promptly after orders. Build trust one transaction at a time.

When to hire? When you're turning away orders and leads go cold. Start with a part-time assistant. Build to a full team gradually. Hire slowly and invest in training.

Where do SOHO traders find first clients? Referrals from former colleagues, LinkedIn targeting, small orders on Alibaba, and industry exhibitions. Develop multiple sources simultaneously.