Everything You Need To Know About Actually Private Labelling

If you already run a high-ticket dropshipping business, you’re sitting on one of the most underrated opportunities in e-commerce: using your success as a launchpad for your own branded products.

That’s the core message behind this conversation — a deep dive into what it actually takes to make the leap from dropshipper to brand owner, without unnecessary risk or overwhelm.

Why Dropshipping Is the Perfect Foundation for Private Labeling

Private labeling can feel like a big, intimidating step: buying in bulk, importing from overseas, dealing with manufacturers, freight, compliance, and warehousing.

But the truth is, dropshipping prepares you better than you realize. By the time you’re even thinking about private labeling, you already know:

• What sells

• What customers care about

• Where the gaps are in the market

• Which features matter

• Which products deserve a better version

Instead of guessing, you begin with real data and real sales.

You’re not creating a brand out of thin air — you’re improving and expanding on something you already know works.

Phase Three: Finding and Vetting Manufacturers

Once you’ve dipped your toe into stocking small amounts of supplier inventory (Phase Two), you’re ready for Phase Three: finding manufacturers.

And contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t mean immediately booking a flight to China.

The search often starts closer than you think.

Two of the best places to find suppliers:

1. Your email inbox – Many manufacturers reach out over time, and what once looked like spam may now be gold.

2. Alibaba – The world’s largest directory of factories and trading companies.

The key at this stage is communication. Reach out to multiple manufacturers and ask each one the same set of questions.

You’re looking for professionalism, clarity, and the type of partner you can rely on long-term.

Understanding whether you’re dealing with a factory or a trading company is essential, because each offers different strengths.

Do You Need to Visit China?

No — but if you can, it’s worth it. Beyond the business benefits, it can be a genuinely fun experience.

Visiting factories builds trust, gives you negotiating power, and allows you to see firsthand how your products are made.

Many entrepreneurs combine these trips with personal travel and turn them into memorable life experiences.

Before You Order Anything: Know Your Numbers and Your Risks

Three commonly overlooked steps can prevent major headaches:

1. Understand every cost involved.
Product cost, shipping, duties, warehousing, packaging, freight — get within 90% accuracy before placing any order.

2. Ensure legal compliance.
Every country has product safety standards. A quick search can save you from importing products you can’t legally sell.

3. Get liability and cargo insurance.
Once you’re the importer, you are legally considered the manufacturer. Protecting yourself is non-negotiable.

How Much Should You Order?

Start small — or start smart. Instead of guessing, test products on your existing store as “special order” or pre-order items. This gives you live demand data without upfront risk.

When it’s time to buy, you can order a mix of SKUs instead of overcommitting to a single product.

Build Your A-Team

As you grow, you’ll rely on a network of essential partners:

• A reliable manufacturer or trading company

• A trustworthy freight forwarder

• A competent accountant/bookkeeper

• A strong insurance broker

• A reliable 3PL (at least early on)

These relationships remove friction, reduce risk, and help your brand scale smoothly.

The Mental Game: Overcoming Fear

Most hesitation comes from lack of knowledge — not lack of ability. Every successful brand owner starts out unsure.

The path becomes clearer once you know the steps. And even if your first product doesn’t hit exactly as expected, you’ll recover quickly and walk away with invaluable experience.

The leap from dropshipper to brand owner isn’t just doable — it’s often the natural next step.

And with the right guidance, it’s far less daunting than most entrepreneurs imagine.

If you’d love help with starting your own private label, get in touch with Matthew Scott here today.