Hour 6: Outreach to Suppliers
Prompt: “Draft and send professional emails to 5 potential suppliers. Highlight business needs, expected quality, and inquire about pricing & delivery.”
Here is a master template and five specific variants you can adapt and send.
Email Template
Subject: Supplier Inquiry: [Your Business Name] x [Supplier’s Product Category]
Dear [Supplier Contact Name or “Procurement Team”],
My name is [Your Name], and I am the [Your Title] at [Your Business Name]. We are a [brief description of your business, e.g., “new premium eco-friendly apparel brand”].
We are currently sourcing partners for high-quality [Specific Product Category] and were impressed by your company’s portfolio and reputation for [mention something specific you liked, e.g., “sustainable manufacturing practices” or “innovative designs”].
Our core need is for products that meet the following standards:
- Quality: [Mention 1-2 key quality requirements, e.g., “Organic certification (GOTS)” or “Aerospace-grade aluminum”].
- Volume: Our initial order will be approximately [Mention a realistic number] units, with plans to scale significantly.
- Values: It is important for us to partner with suppliers who value [e.g., “ethical labor practices,” “environmental sustainability”].
Could you please provide us with your catalog or product sheet for [Product Category] along with your:
- Pricing structure (including bulk discounts)
- Standard delivery timelines and costs
- Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
- Information on your customization options (if applicable)
We believe a partnership could be mutually beneficial and are eager to learn more.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Business Name]
[Your Website]
[Your Phone Number (Optional)]
5 Specific Variants (Just change the bracketed info):
- For a Packaging Supplier:
- Subject: Supplier Inquiry: Nova Naturals x Custom Cosmetic Packaging
- Body Changes: “We are a new skincare line focused on zero-waste, luxury products. We require custom-printed, recyclable glass jars and tubes. We were impressed by your use of post-consumer recycled materials.”
- For a Coffee Bean Roaster:
- Subject: Wholesale Inquiry: The Daily Grind Cafe x Specialty Coffee Beans
- Body Changes: “We are a soon-to-open boutique cafe in [City]. We require consistently high-quality, single-origin beans for espresso and filter brew. We were impressed by your direct trade relationships with farmers.”
- For an Apparel Manufacturer:
- Subject: Manufacturing Inquiry: Summit Athletics x Performance Apparel
- Body Changes: “We are a new athletic wear brand launching a line of moisture-wicking running gear. We require technical fabrics with OEKO-TEX certification and precise stitching for durability.”
- For a PCB Electronics Manufacturer:
- Subject: RFQ: TechNova Solutions x Mainboard PCB Assembly
- Body Changes: “We are a hardware startup developing a new smart home device. We require a reliable partner for PCB assembly and testing. We were impressed by your IPC-A-610 Class 2 standards.”
- For a Specialty Food Producer:
- Subject: Partnership Inquiry: Artisan Bites x Gourmet Vegan Sauces
- Body Changes: “We are a food brand launching a line of vegan condiments into major retailers. We require co-packing services with a focus on all-natural, preservative-free ingredients and scalable production.”
