From Vision to Venture: Creating Products That Sell
with Mickey Lu
For mindsets like entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anybody passionate about developing a successful product from concept to launch, this course, "Transforming Concepts into Products: A Comprehensive Course to Starting a Product Business," is created. Students will have a general understanding of the steps involved in starting from scratch to develop a product and its branding until launching.
Furthermore, how to assess and measure the success metric in comparison to a successful physical product. Product creation will be covered in the course, along with design, sample mock-up, sourcing, merchandising, cost evaluation, budgeting, and go-to marketing tactics. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the product development process and discover how to implement their own ideas through a combination of lectures, practical activities, and real-world examples.
A marketing strategy and consumer segmentation are only two of the tools, resources, and techniques that students will learn in this course to help them successfully sell their product ideas. Students who complete this course will have the abilities, information, and self-assurance necessary to develop a successful product, establish a brand, and market it.
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Class Starts: TBA (see FAQ page for details)
Gold Tier: Students Max (TBA) with critique and feedback from Mickey
(Does not apply to workshops): First is class free (must sign up). All class are first come serve basis. Once the class fills up free option will no longer be available. See details: Link
Class will be hosted on Zoom. Please download app before 1st day of class. Mic is required for critiques, webcam encourage, not required (nobody want to speak to a blank screen)
Shared Google Drive Folder for Student Feedback
Demos will be in Adobe Photoshop. Students are free to choose their own media such as Procreate or traditional media.
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This class is for entrepreneur-like mindset intermediate-level art students who want to continue developing their skills that could lead to side revenue projects.
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Please note this class is lecture heavy. You will receive a lot of information, industry insights, and resources, but would need to implement the learning on your own with the instructor's guidance.
Class is full, join the waitlist
Class Summary and Expected learnings
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Course Overview.
Week 1: Introduction to Product Business and Landscapes
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Understanding the concept of a product business
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Overview of the product business industry
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Identifying the different types of product businesses
Week 2: Generating Business Ideas
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How to generate ideas for a product business
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Identifying customer needs and wants
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Conducting market research to validate ideas
Week 3: Analyzing & Developing a Business Plan
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Analyzing cost for a product business
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Identifying target audience and market segmentation
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Understanding the competitive landscape and market positioning
Week 4: Branding & Marketing
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Creating a brand identity for a product business
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Developing a brand identity and messaging
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Understanding and protecting intellectual property
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Developing a marketing strategy for a product business
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Utilizing social media to promote a product business
Week 5: Product Design and Development
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Understanding the product development process
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Identifying design requirements and constraints
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Creating sketches, renderings, and mock-ups for a product
Week 6: Prototyping & Manufacturing
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Developing a prototype for a product
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Managing production timelines and costs
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Identifying manufacturing methods and suppliers
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Understanding cost structures and pricing strategies
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Managing production timelines and costs
Week 7: Merchandising and Apparel
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Understanding the merchandising process and product placement
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Creating and developing apparel collections
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Identifying target markets and retail opportunities
Week 8: Launch & Distribution
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Understanding the logistics and supply chain management
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Identifying and working with distribution partners
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Managing inventory and forecasting demand
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Developing a launching marketing and advertising plan
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Identifying target customers and segments
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Utilizing digital and traditional marketing channels for launching
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Understanding the sales process and building relationships
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Identifying and working with online retail partners and distributors
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Managing sales and forecasting revenue
Week 9: Project Development and Presentation
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Working on project development and presenting it to the class
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Reviewing the project and giving feedback
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Identifying the next steps for the product development
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Scaling production and distribution for product business
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Understanding financial management and forecasting for a product business
Week 10: Final Project and Investment Pitching
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Finalizing projects and preparing for a presentation
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Learn to pitch to the investor when the product market fit and scales to become a product business
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Course summary and review
Identifying opportunities for future growth and developing hands-on activities, group discussions, and projects to apply the concepts and strategies learned in the class. Guest lectures from industry experts, case studies, and real-world examples will also be included to give students a well-rounded understanding of the product development process.
Note: This course is designed to provide a thorough overview of the subject matter. The exact content and structure of the course may be adjusted by the instructor to best suit the needs and interests of the class or the student(s).
Course Objectives
OUTCOMES EXPECTATIONS
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understand the concept of a product business, and be able to identify the different types of product businesses and their characteristics
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to generate ideas for a product business, and use market research and customer needs analysis to validate and refine those ideas.
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understand the product development process, identify design requirements and constraints, create sketches, renderings, and mock-ups for a product
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develop a prototype for a product, identify manufacturing methods and partners, and understand cost structures and pricing strategies.
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prepare for a product launch, identify distribution channels, and understand logistics and fulfillment for a product business.
Your Instructor / Mickey Lu
Join product development and branding expert Mickey Lu on a journey to transform your ideas into marketable products. Whether you're an artist, designer, or entrepreneur looking to build a side hustle and generate extra income, Mickey's 20 years of experience in product development and branding will guide you through the process. With a unique combination of technical knowledge and business acumen, Mickey will teach you the product development blueprint, from ideation to launch, and how to build a product brand that connects with consumers on an emotional level.
Mickey's background in entertainment, fashion, painting, and printing industries, as well as his travels to 22 different countries, have given him a cultural fusion perspective that he believes is fundamental to design. As a serial entrepreneur, he has founded and grown five companies and one clothing brand, with three reaching seven figures and two successfully exiting. As an angel investor, Mickey plans to serve 20 entrepreneurs in 2023 by helping them scale their businesses with capital for growth through his new fund. Join his course, "From Imagination to Concept Turn Physical Creation: Transforming Ideas into Products," and take the first step towards bringing your product idea to life.
