Me at the Chinese Restaurant Looking for the Characters 鸡, Not Knowing 田—and That 田鸡 Has 4 Legs, Not 2

(Start a Clothing Brand, End Up Accidentally Ordering Frog. Seems Fair.)

If you’ve ever sat in a restaurant in Guangzhou, smugly spotting the character 鸡 (chicken), only to realize too late that 田鸡 doesn’t mean “farm chicken” but rather frog—welcome to the club.

Starting a clothing brand in China is a lot like ordering food off a menu you think you understand. It feels exciting at first—until you realize the fine print matters. A lot.

In sourcing, just like in restaurants, assumptions are expensive. That’s why I made Garment Sourcing 101—so you don’t end up metaphorically (or literally) chewing on frog legs when you thought you were getting grilled chicken.

Start a Clothing Brand, They Said. It’ll Be Fun, They Said.

It’s fun until you:

• Approve a sample you don’t understand

• Order fabric in GSM when you meant oz

• Think “in-stock” means “ready to ship”

Starting a clothing brand is a dance of detail. One wrong assumption can derail production, delay timelines, or blow your budget. Kind of like misreading a menu and then pretending to enjoy it anyway.

Step 1: Learn the Language (Not Just Mandarin—the

Sourcing

Language)

You don’t need to be fluent in Chinese. But you do need to understand:

• Factory terms

• Cost breakdowns

• Lead times

• MOQ logic

I teach you how to speak “factory” fluently in Garment Sourcing 101, so your first production doesn’t go off the rails because of a translation gap.

Step 2: Tech Packs Save You from Menu Misunderstandings

Your tech pack is your menu. If you don’t specify exactly what you want, don’t be surprised when you get something… surprising.

Your tech pack should include:

• Clear measurements

• Stitch type

• Fabric spec

• Label placement

• Packaging instructions

Don’t expect the supplier to fill in the blanks—unless you like frog.

Step 3: Sampling: Where Translation Meets Reality

A good sample tells you if your instructions made it across the language and manufacturing gap.

Expect:

• Round 1 to be a mess

• Round 2 to get better

• Round 3 to finally feel like something you’d sell

This is where you see if they understood you. (Or if you’ve ordered frog again.)

Step 4: MOQ, Pricing, and That “田鸡” Moment When It All Hits You

Don’t assume you can order any quantity at any price. MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) depends on:

• Fabric availability

• Trim sourcing

• Pattern complexity

If you try to act like a big buyer when you’re not, factories will either ghost you—or serve you something you didn’t ask for.

Learn how to negotiate properly in the course. It’s about respect, not bluffing.

Step 5: Logistics – Because Even Chicken Needs to Fly Safely

The sourcing is done, the production is ready… now how do you get it home?

You need to understand:

• EXW vs FOB

• Duties and tariffs

• Freight options

• Timeline buffers

Without this, your “ready stock” ends up stuck in a port or slapped with surprise fees.

TL;DR – Know What You’re Asking For Before You Bite

Whether you’re ordering lunch or placing a PO, the principle is the same:

• Don’t assume

• Ask clearly

• Confirm twice

• Respect the process

Start a clothing brand the smart way—with actual understanding, not vibes and guesses.

Final Word: You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way (Or the Amphibian Way)

I created Garment Sourcing 101 so you can skip the confusion and start building with confidence.

You’ll learn:

• How to brief factories the right way

• What questions to ask

• What assumptions will cost you

👉 Take the course, start your clothing brand properly—and next time, order chicken with confidence.