1. What about time of year? Christmas / Easter / Halloween trends in gifts, interior ornaments, team with magazines / stylists
2. contact local schools. Sell small amount to different consumers
2.1. Any local community projects?
3. look for similar businesses to the original wholesaler, there must be more than one in the same market
3.1. New node
3.2. Art supplies stores
3.2.1. Who where the wholesaler customers go direct
4. get customer list from wholesaler
5. Can he return to the seller?
6. futures contract:
6.1. Consider cash flow
6.2. New node
7. Get list of other wholesalers from UK supplier
8. Need storage/ warehousing if keep stock
8.1. Use shipping container to house stock
8.1.1. New node
8.2. Negotiate with other local businesses to rent temporary storage
9. Has UK supplier been paid?
10. List all the possible uses of pipe cleaners and from that discover as many potential markets as possible.
10.1. Consider pipe cleaners for play and crafts. How many things can they make? Who might they appeal to and why?
10.1.1. Promote the idea of pipe cleaners for play and craft to local people
10.1.1.1. Post You tube videos to promote these ideas
10.1.1.2. How much fun can be generated by a handful of coloured pipe cleaners?
10.1.2. Give pipe cleaners to children and students and see what they can make with them.
10.1.2.1. Is there scope for a new trend?
10.1.2.1.1. Yes remember when kids in the 80's put crisp bags under the grill and put pins in get kids to use them to be different. Fluffy shoe laces or jewellery.
10.1.2.2. Competitions: the most creative use of pipe cleaners and use these as marketing and promotional opportunities
10.2. Who else uses pipe cleaners and what for?
10.2.1. Pipe smokers for cleaning pipes
10.2.2. Difficult to reach cleaning products.
10.2.3. Team with sellable trends - create ipad / iPhone covers