I appreciate your interest in my story.
To recap: Toys delayed, communication continues. Rouge partner wants to hire someone to make caps, t-shirts, wrist bands. Rouge partner announces this in front of our manufacturing partners during a scheduled meeting, while wearing the ridiculous attire.
Somehow I was able to get past the direct question of the CEO of our chosen manufacturer. After several apologies I asked that they submit a mock up of what they suggest as alternative products and commit to them that they will receive first consideration on any products related to The Official Vick Dog Chew Toy, as well as the Aim To Beginn mission and vision. He was not happy, but agreed. This really put us in a difficult situation and challenged what began as a very positive relationship.
After the meeting, I met with the rouge employee and did my best to explain the aspects of business 101. I also made mention of the fact that nothing that he was wearing would ever be sold under the Aim To Beginn, LLC name. It was simply cheap and embarrassing. The rouge partner objected, but in the end agreed with the decision to focus on production of the core product and nothing else until all orders was fulfilled.
Interesting call #2:
Darren Usher: Hello?
Rouge Partner: It’s me, (name withheld).
Darren Usher: What’s up?
Rouge Partner: I contacted a US manufacturer that can get us a toy in 4 weeks.
Darren Usher: I did not think that we could find a US based manufacturer that could product the hollow cavity toy we are advertising?
Rouge Partner: I found one. They just need to know the consistency of the rubber we are using.
Darren Usher: I have that, but can they produce a hollow cavity toy like the one we advertised?
Rouge Partner: They have to make it solid.
Darren Usher: That is not what we advertised.
Rouge Partner: But is till look exactly the same. It will just be a solid toy. We can offer it as an alternative to those that have orders pending and want the toy now.
Darren Usher: If it is not what we advertised and they paid for, we will not offer it.
Rouge Partner: Can I meet with you and show you the mold?
Darren Usher: Sure. Let’s meet now.
The meeting was less than eventful. The rouge partner showed up with several samples of rubber that the manufacturer supplied. In addition, the rouge partner produced an alternative image that he wanted to use so that we could product a toy now. I questioned the rubber. It was way too tough, hard, and unfriendly especially to smaller dogs. Then the image. It looked NOTHING like what we originally advertised. The image that the rouge partner presented as plan B was cheap, unrealistic, a childish concept, and in no way an accurate representation of what we were trying to produce. I told the rouge partner no. No way was this to be produced.
Next entry: what happens when a person hears “No”?
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