24 | The One With 10 Lessons From China and Vietnam (Part 1)

Bad sourcing trips don’t just waste time—they waste margins.In this episode of Supply Chain Moves, host Lara Guevara shares the 10 biggest lessons learned from recent sourcing trips to China and Vietnam—the good, the bad, and the costly mistakes founders can avoid.Together, we unpack:✅ The “confidence gap” between Chinese and Vietnamese suppliers—and how to use it to your advantage✅ Why factory vs. trading company isn’t always obvious (and the questions you should be asking)✅ The truth about MOQs: why they’re always negotiable with the right approach✅ How tariff strategies and country diversification protect your margins✅ Why real relationships—not catalogs—are the ultimate sourcing advantageWhether you’re sourcing your first product or scaling a multi-SKU brand, this episode will help you approach factories smarter, not just faster.And here’s the exciting part: Move is heading back to China and Vietnam this season, this time with clients alongside us. If you’ve ever wanted boots-on-the-ground support while navigating supplier selection, negotiations, and tariff strategies, now’s your chance to be part of the journey.Every move counts. Tune in now. Or learn more about it here: https://vendorvisits.movesupplychain.com/ Also, don’t forget to join our free Slack community, the Supply Chain Lounge, where operators, founders, and experts share real-time solutions to real-world challenges: https://tinyurl.com/move-supplychain-lounge And be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Supply Chain Moves.