Most supplement founders underestimate gummy complexity. Learning how manufacturers handle pectin ratios, moisture barriers, coating systems, and stability testing reveals the path from kitchen prototype to shelf-stable product at scale.
- Our Mission
When you understand minimum order quantities, lead times, and margin structures, uncertainty transforms into informed decisions throughout your supplement journey. Knowledge prevents the disasters we've seen too many times.
FDA compliance, cGMP requirements, and third-party testing become clear through straightforward explanations, removing the intimidation of regulatory compliance from your path to market.
Armed with vetting checklists, cost calculators, and negotiation frameworks, you gain complete control over vendor selection and can build your nutrition brand on your terms, not theirs.
- Nutrition Industry Knowledge Hub
Key Resources We Provide Nutrition Entrepreneurs
Vendor Evaluation
Navigate the maze of contract manufacturers with our forensic vetting frameworks. We decode capabilities, certifications, and actual capacity versus marketing claims. Our comparison matrices reveal which facilities handle your specific ingredients, meet your volume needs, and align with your budget. Understanding true manufacturing costs, hidden fees, and minimum commitments helps you identify the right partner before signing contracts. Real pricing data from hundreds of projects positions you to negotiate effectively and avoid the expensive surprises that kill margins.
Supplier Discovery
Finding the right flavor house, testing lab, or packaging supplier requires more than accepting the first quote. We map the entire vendor ecosystem—from boutique specialists to major players—showing you options others never discover. Our directories filter by capability, location, certifications, and minimums. Understanding each supplier's sweet spot, lead times, and pricing structures helps you build a supply chain that scales. Detailed capability assessments and client reviews eliminate months of trial and error.
Cost Optimization
Manufacturing quotes hide dozens of variables that dramatically impact your unit economics. We expose how to negotiate MOQs, payment terms, storage fees, and change order policies before they become problems. Our calculators model true landed costs including freight, duties, and warehousing. Understanding industry-standard terms, typical markups, and negotiation leverage points saves thousands per production run. Templates for RFPs, vendor agreements, and quality standards ensure you get favorable terms from day one.
The Vendor Discovery Process
Understanding Your Requirements
We start by mapping your specific formula needs, production volumes, and budget constraints. This initial discovery reveals which certifications you need, what equipment your product requires, and realistic timelines. This foundation helps identify potential manufacturing challenges before they become expensive mistakes that delay your launch.
Manufacturing Cost Analysis
Vendor Matching & Vetting
Our comparison tools filter hundreds of manufacturers by your specific requirements—certifications, minimums, capabilities, and location. Then we dig deeper, verifying claims through facility audits, client references, and quality reports to identify vendors that match your exact needs and can scale with your growth trajectory.
Terms Optimization & Onboarding
Navigate complex manufacturing agreements beyond just unit price—payment terms, liability clauses, IP protection, and change order policies. Understanding these critical elements protects your formula, ensures quality standards, and prevents the hidden costs that destroy margins after production starts.
