International entrepreneur, Yasin Tan, came across Alibaba.com more than 15 years ago when he launched his first business in his home country, Turkey. His main goal was to use the platform to find affordable Chinese companies to source locally-made products. Yasin spent the first few weeks researching various top sellers, top products, company credentials, and background information, before deciding the best business for him was in cellphone accessory sales such as cases and chargers.

Today, Yasin is the founder of an online retail consulting and marketing company in New Jersey, United States, called Artemis Global LLC. Yasin leverages Alibaba.com’s customizable products and Trusted Suppliers to create a variety of tailored goods for his customers residing around the globe. Alibaba.com has bolstered Yasin’s brand to build both his product and partner base.

Building a foundation with Alibaba.com

After relocating to the US in 2016, Yasin utilized Alibaba.com’s vast database to research markets and determine the most appropriate field based on his previous professional experience. As a result, he launched online retail consulting and marketing company Artemis Global in 2019 and started working with Alibaba.com’s top sellers to develop trendy, one-of-a-kind products.

“Today, we are trademarked and are selling on some of the biggest global online marketplaces as well,” says Yasin. “Thanks to Alibaba.com’s quality products and countless vendor options, buyers like me can find trusted partners, especially if they are new to the business model, market, or industry.”

Alibaba.com has been that for Yasin’s entrepreneurial ventures over the years. He continues to leverage the website to evaluate products and vendors to collaborate on new products.

Key Alibaba.com features for entrepreneurs

Getting targeted and specific quotations from sellers in an instance allows buyers on Alibaba.com to connect to the most suitable suppliers and develop their products in a timely manner. “The feature that I found most beneficial for my business is Alibaba.com’s RFQ Platform,” says Yasin. “I found a Shanghai-based company that became a reliable vendor for my first business. I’ve also come across strong suppliers on Alibaba.com that have a focus on sustainability.”

The RFQ Platform on Alibaba.com provides a simple form that buyers can populate with details on the product they are seeking, along with additional details such as the category, sourcing type, and quantity of units. Once buyer-seller relationships are strengthened, suppliers also provide additional details on what they can offer, opening opportunities for product developments, and business and category expansion.

Once he submits a request through the RFQ Platform, Yasin focuses on Verified Suppliers i.e. companies that have been qualified and pre-vetted through trusted third-party sources. “Before Alibaba.com, I was working with three or four different companies to collect my product,” recalls Yasin. “But now, my Verified Supplier is one company that produces everything I need. They design the package, branding – and everything is perfect for me!”

Additionally, Yasin is a fan of Alibaba.com’s Ready to Ship products which have a relatively lower Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for buyers that are in the initial stages of starting their business. This service allows entrepreneurs and start-up leaders to receive their products much quicker and at a more affordable cost per unit.

Continued profits on the horizon

Even throughout the global pandemic in 2020, working with Alibaba.com was a blessing in disguise for Yasin. “During COVID-19, Alibaba.com has been a hero for business owners like me,” says Yasin. “Alibaba.com allows buyers like us to be set up for success and enables trust so that if we need anything, I know we have key vendor relationships I can get in touch with through the platform.”

Yasin attributes a significant portion of his profits (and reduced costs) to working with Alibaba.com. “Overall, I’ve been able to successfully order around 5,000 units worth more than US $10,000 via the website,” says Yasin. “Through pictures, videos, and reviews, there is a lot of information for me to find the right people and products.”