Lean Merchandising: a minimalist approach

Launching a physical product shouldn’t require gambling on large inventory orders, high MOQs, or untested ideas. Lean Product Development for Ecommerce, or Lean Merchandising, is our structured approach to helping founders validate, prototype, and scale physical products with minimal upfront risk. In an eCommerce setting, the lean merchandising strategy leverages print on demand technology to get things made one at a time.

Instead of jumping straight into bulk manufacturing, we focus on:

  • Validating demand before committing to inventory

  • Building cost-efficient prototypes

  • Testing through print-on-demand or micro-runs

  • Scaling only what proves traction

This approach protects your capital and increases your odds of building a profitable, sustainable product brand.

Lean Product Development for Ecommerce

Most product launches fail because too much capital is committed before demand is proven.

Lean Product Development is our disciplined approach to helping ecommerce brands validate, prototype, and scale physical products without unnecessary inventory risk.

We work with a limited number of founders each year to build products in a strategic, collaborative way.

Who We Work With

We partner with:

  • Established Shopify brands expanding into owned products

  • Print-on-demand sellers transitioning to manufacturing

  • Funded founders developing scalable product lines

  • Operators building long-term ecommerce brands

If you’re looking for shortcuts, we’re not a fit.
If you’re building seriously, we may be.

Our Approach

Traditional path:
Idea → Large MOQ → Inventory Risk

Lean path:
Validate → Prototype → Test Small → Scale Smart

Every decision is guided by three principles:

  • Prove demand before scaling

  • Minimize irreversible investment

  • Protect margin and optionality

What We Support

Depending on scope, we assist with:

  • Product validation strategy

  • Prototype and sampling oversight

  • Manufacturer sourcing and negotiation

  • Cost modeling and margin planning

  • Transitioning from POD to manufacturing

Our focus is durable product infrastructure — not trend chasing.

Engagement

We offer:

  • Strategic intensives

  • Guided development engagements

  • End-to-end partnerships

All projects begin with an application and qualification call. We accept a limited number of engagements per quarter.

Apply to Work Together

If you are building a long-term eCommerce brand and want a disciplined approach to physical product development, submit an application to begin the qualification process.