# Thai Market Finds — first-drop readiness and launch gate pack

Date: 2026-05-08  
Status: internal planning pack only. No deployment, posting, supplier contact, stock buying, form connection, checkout, analytics pixel, account creation, or public claim is approved by this document.

## 0) Current state in one line

The preview site is useful for internal review and family sourcing direction, but it is **not public-ready** until real product evidence, margin data, compliance/claims checks, and Alex approval are complete.

## 1) Exact pre-launch checklist

Use this before any public waitlist, product-vote page, social post, or first stock purchase.

### A. Product evidence

- [ ] Select one first-drop lane: woven bag / accessory bundle / pouch add-on / stationery gift set.
- [ ] Assign product IDs to every candidate, e.g. `BAG-001`, `POUCH-001`.
- [ ] Capture real family/wife/source photos: front, back, inside, close-up, scale, colour options, labels/tags, defects.
- [ ] Capture short videos: hand-turn, open/close/zip/strap test, scale/model shot, market/stall atmosphere only if vendor permits.
- [ ] Record source location and seller repeat-supply likelihood.
- [ ] Record seller-stated material, but mark as **unverified** unless evidenced.
- [ ] Measure dimensions in cm: width, height, depth, strap drop/handle, packed size.
- [ ] Estimate or weigh product weight in grams.
- [ ] Identify variants: colour, pattern, size, finish.
- [ ] Note quality issues: smell, damp/mould, dye transfer, loose stitching, weak zip, sharp fibres/edges, fragile parts, inconsistent finish.

### B. Category/risk screen

- [ ] Confirm product is an adult accessory, pouch, bag, stationery, or giftable non-regulated item.
- [ ] Exclude food, drink, supplements, medicines, balms/remedies, cosmetics/skincare/perfume/soap, toys, electricals/batteries, alcohol, sharp items, fragile/bulky items, branded/lookalike goods, copyrighted characters or prints.
- [ ] Avoid child/toy positioning even for cute stationery or small accessories.
- [ ] Check for visible brand marks, designer-style patterns, cartoon/IP artwork, or copied logos.
- [ ] Do not make handmade, artisan, sustainable, organic, silk, leather, fair-trade, local-maker, origin, or cultural authenticity claims unless documented.
- [ ] Check packaging and labels for claims that would create compliance obligations.

### C. Margin/pricing screen

- [ ] Unit cost in THB for 1 / 5 / 10 / 20 units recorded where available.
- [ ] Estimated Thailand-to-UK freight/import allocation per unit added.
- [ ] UK packaging cost estimated.
- [ ] UK postage/service cost estimated for packed order.
- [ ] Platform fee and payment fee estimated.
- [ ] Return/defect allowance estimated.
- [ ] Target retail price range chosen.
- [ ] Contribution margin calculated.
- [ ] Minimum acceptable margin agreed before buying.
- [ ] Spend cap and maximum first-batch quantity agreed by Alex.

### D. Site/listing readiness

- [ ] Replace generated product imagery on public-facing pages with real, approved product/source imagery or label it clearly as concept imagery.
- [ ] Use only measured specs and evidence-backed product details.
- [ ] Keep all uncertain fields explicitly marked as placeholder or remove them.
- [ ] Confirm product page says vote/waitlist only if checkout is not live.
- [ ] Add clear no-checkout/no-order language wherever payment is not available.
- [ ] Add basic returns/contact wording before taking any orders.
- [ ] Confirm mobile nav and CTA wording do not imply a real purchase.
- [ ] Check every internal link and asset path.

### E. Demand-test readiness

- [ ] Choose one approved demand-test method: private preview, waitlist form, product vote, or social content test.
- [ ] Define the metric before launch: votes, email signups, DMs, comments, saves, shares, price replies, or conversion rate.
- [ ] Define stop/go thresholds for 7 days.
- [ ] Prepare a manual tracker for every post/vote/lead.
- [ ] Confirm data-collection tool, privacy wording, and owner before connecting any form.

### F. Fulfilment readiness before real orders

- [ ] Stock is in the UK before taking payment.
- [ ] Each unit inspected, photographed, SKU/batch-coded, and logged.
- [ ] Packaging tested for crush/bend/damp protection.
- [ ] Packed parcel weight checked.
- [ ] Postage method chosen.
- [ ] Return address and return handling process agreed.
- [ ] Customer service templates reviewed.
- [ ] Order log template ready.

## 2) Internal-only vs public-ready checklist

### Internal-only is acceptable when

- [ ] Pages are local/private and not shared publicly.
- [ ] Generated visuals are clearly treated as placeholders.
- [ ] Prices, materials, dimensions, availability, and product names are labelled indicative or draft.
- [ ] CTAs are static placeholders and do not collect real data.
- [ ] No checkout, pixel, analytics, email capture, external database, or public URL is connected.
- [ ] The site is used only to help Alex, wife, and family understand the concept and what evidence to collect.

### Public-ready requires all of the following

- [ ] Alex approves the exact public scope: URL, pages, products, CTAs, and channels.
- [ ] First product lane is approved.
- [ ] Public pages use real approved product/source assets, or concept assets are unmistakably labelled.
- [ ] Product copy only includes evidenced claims.
- [ ] Risk categories remain excluded.
- [ ] Prices are tied to margin calculations and postage assumptions.
- [ ] Waitlist/form provider is approved before collecting data.
- [ ] Privacy wording is present if collecting emails or votes.
- [ ] No payment is accepted unless stock is UK-held, inspected, and listing-ready.
- [ ] Returns/contact wording is ready before taking orders.
- [ ] Public posting captions pass the claims/risk checklist.
- [ ] A rollback/unpublish plan exists.

## 3) First-drop decision tree

```text
Start
  |
  v
Do we have real product evidence for at least 3 candidates?
  |-- No --> Send family sourcing request; keep site internal; do not buy bulk.
  |
  v
Are candidates in low-risk MVP categories only?
  |-- No --> Remove risky items; do not test publicly.
  |
  v
Does one candidate pass quality, packability, content, compliance, and repeat-supply scoring?
  |-- No --> Request more candidates or sample one unit only if Alex approves.
  |
  v
Does margin work after landed cost + packaging + postage + fees + returns allowance?
  |-- No --> Renegotiate, raise price, choose lighter item, or skip.
  |
  v
Do we have enough real photos/video and measured specs for an honest public preview?
  |-- No --> Collect assets/specs; keep generated placeholders internal.
  |
  v
What launch mode is approved?
  |-- None --> Keep local-only.
  |-- Private preview --> Share approved URL only with named reviewers.
  |-- Public vote/waitlist --> Connect approved form + privacy wording; no checkout.
  |-- Paid drop --> Only if stock is UK-held, inspected, listed, and checkout/returns approved.
  |
  v
Run 7-day demand test
  |
  v
Did signals meet threshold?
  |-- No --> Iterate product/content; do not buy more stock.
  |-- Mixed --> Sample tiny batch or retest creative if Alex approves.
  |-- Yes --> Ask Alex for first-batch spend/quantity approval.
```

## 4) Approval gates

### Gate 1 — sourcing evidence request

Can proceed internally without external launch if Alex is comfortable involving wife/family.  
Approval needed before asking family to spend money beyond one tiny sample.

Required packet:
- candidate category
- photo/video checklist
- max sample spend
- instruction not to bulk-buy

### Gate 2 — sample purchase

Alex approval required before any sample purchase if family is spending money.

Required packet:
- product ID and photos
- unit cost and quantity
- reason for sample
- known risk flags
- expected UK retail range

### Gate 3 — public preview/waitlist

Alex approval required before any URL, form, social post, or public sharing.

Required packet:
- exact URL/pages/channels
- exact CTA wording
- product claims checklist
- data collected and where stored
- stop/go metrics
- rollback plan

### Gate 4 — checkout/payment

Alex approval required before payment processing or taking orders.

Required packet:
- UK-held inspected stock list
- final product page copy
- final price/margin calculation
- delivery and returns process
- customer service owner
- refund/defect process

### Gate 5 — first batch buy

Alex approval required before buying any batch beyond sample quantity.

Required packet:
- demand-test results
- recommended quantity
- max cash at risk
- landed margin model
- expected fulfilment workload
- worst-case disposal/discount plan

## 5) What can be done automatically next

These are safe internal tasks that do **not** deploy, contact, buy, post, connect forms, create accounts, or collect data.

- [ ] Add the readiness pack to the local preview navigation and README.
- [ ] Convert the family intake fields into a cleaner product-candidate CSV import template.
- [ ] Add placeholder rows for `BAG-001`, `BUNDLE-001`, `POUCH-001`, and `STAT-001` with status `needs_real_evidence`.
- [ ] Create public-copy variants labelled `internal draft`, `private preview`, and `public waitlist`.
- [ ] Add a manual first-drop scorecard page to the site/database pack.
- [ ] Run a local link/path check across static pages.
- [ ] Draft a one-message sourcing request for Alex to review before sending to family.
- [ ] Draft a 7-day content calendar using only approved placeholder/concept language.
- [ ] Prepare a first-batch margin worksheet with formulas but no real purchase commitment.

## 6) What requires Alex approval

- Contacting family/suppliers/customers on behalf of the venture.
- Asking anyone to buy samples or stock.
- Setting a spend cap or quantity.
- Publishing or sharing any preview URL externally.
- Pushing a branch if the purpose is external preview/deployment.
- Creating or changing Shopify, TikTok Shop, Instagram, Cloudflare, GitHub Pages, Tally, Google Forms, email, analytics, payment, or database accounts/integrations.
- Connecting forms, checkout, pixels, email capture, or automations.
- Publicly posting content or using wife/family/source footage.
- Making claims about origin, handmade status, material, sustainability, cultural authenticity, care, availability, or delivery.
- Taking payment or promising delivery dates.

## 7) Seven-day sprint plan: placeholder preview → real first-drop data

### Day 1 — lock the target lane

Goal: choose the highest-probability lane for evidence collection.

Tasks:
- Review current candidate lanes: woven bag, bundle, pouch, stationery.
- Pick one primary and one backup lane.
- Set sample-spend cap and “no bulk buying” rule.
- Prepare family sourcing message for Alex approval.

Deliverable: approved sourcing brief with chosen lane and max sample spend.

### Day 2 — collect market photos/videos

Goal: replace guesses with real source evidence.

Tasks:
- Family/wife captures required photos/videos for 3–5 candidates.
- Record THB prices, sizes, material statements, seller repeat-supply notes, and defects.
- Avoid all excluded categories and IP/brand risks.

Deliverable: candidate folder or message thread with product IDs and evidence.

### Day 3 — score and shortlist

Goal: reduce options to 1–2 real contenders.

Tasks:
- Score quality, packability, compliance simplicity, content strength, giftability, uniqueness, and repeat supply.
- Reject any IP/compliance/red-flag items.
- Estimate weight/packed size and likely UK postage band.

Deliverable: shortlist with one recommended first-drop product and one backup.

### Day 4 — margin and sample decision

Goal: decide whether a sample is worth buying.

Tasks:
- Calculate landed-cost estimate and target retail range.
- Compare likely UK alternatives/prices.
- Check first-batch cash risk.
- Ask Alex for sample purchase approval if the product passes.

Deliverable: sample approval request or skip/retest decision.

### Day 5 — real asset/spec update

Goal: make the preview honest enough for private review.

Tasks:
- Add real photos/videos for approved sample/candidate.
- Add measured dimensions, weight, care uncertainty, defect notes, and source notes.
- Remove or relabel generated placeholders where they could mislead.
- Keep unverified claims out of public copy.

Deliverable: updated local product draft using real evidence.

### Day 6 — demand-test setup draft

Goal: prepare, but do not connect or publish, the first demand test.

Tasks:
- Draft product-vote page copy and 3–5 social captions.
- Draft waitlist form fields and privacy note.
- Define 7-day success thresholds.
- Prepare manual tracker rows.

Deliverable: approval packet for public waitlist/social test.

### Day 7 — launch gate review

Goal: decide internal-only, private preview, public waitlist, or no-go.

Tasks:
- Run this readiness checklist.
- Confirm approval gates passed or blocked.
- Choose next action using the decision tree.
- If public test is approved, create exact publish checklist and rollback plan.

Deliverable: first-drop gate decision: `internal-only`, `private-preview-ready`, `public-waitlist-ready`, `sample-more`, or `no-go`.

## 8) Recommended current decision

Recommended status today: **internal-only / sourcing-ready**.

Best next move: get real family/wife sourcing evidence for the woven bag hero lane and one backup lane before any public preview or stock purchase. The preview site can guide the brief, but generated visuals and placeholder product details should not be treated as launch assets.