12/02/2026
A very special visit to the Anamalz Japan office for the first timeโฆ followed by a full-circle moment I didnโt expect.
Yesterday I met Dan - the person who answered the very first phone call back in 2019 in Vietnam, when a sourcing company asked if the factory could make Anamalz.
He became my first contact.
And together with the incredible factory team, he helped create our very first samples.
Iโm often asked: How did you find your factory?
Hereโs the story.
In 2019, I made the big decision to move manufacturing from China to Vietnam.
I wanted a fresh start somewhere I would enjoy visitingโฆ the food, the culture, the people.
Because if weโre in business for the long haul, we should love the journey too.
I searched everywhere.
Bali. Indonesia. Thailand.
Nothing felt rightโฆ until I finally invested in a professional sourcing company in Vietnam.
Best decision I ever made.
They gave me a list of 30 factories.
I studied every profile and narrowed it down to three.
One stood out immediately - their focus on sustainability and shared values.
And when the samples arrived, the decision became clear.
The quality was far superior.
You could actually feel the love in the samples.
Yes, the price was three times higherโฆ
and that moment forced me to completely rethink my selling plan and how Anamalz would go to market.
But in the end, I chose quality, care, and shared ethos over price.
And it has been the best decision Iโve ever made.
Hearing Dan describe how the team carefully worked out how to make Anamalz, and the effort they went to make them perfect, was incredibly special.
Stories I hadnโt heard before.
And moments of, โWowโฆ I canโt believe we are finally meeting after 7 years.โ
If I were starting a new product today, hereโs exactly how I would find a manufacturer:
1๏ธโฃ Invest in a great sourcing company
2๏ธโฃ Review ~30 factories and shortlist your top 3โ5
3๏ธโฃ Pay for samples from your top three
4๏ธโฃ Never choose on price alone - choose quality, communication, and shared values
Because the right factory doesnโt just make your productโฆ
They help build your future.
Lou x