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My First Million

My First Million

The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.

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Capitalize on emergency PPE demand during health crisis

Manufacturers, importers, or entrepreneurs with access to supply chains

3-6 months (crisis window)

What Success Looks Like

Securing multi-million dollar government contracts for PPE supplies while maintaining 30-50% margins

Steps to Execute

1

Identify existing manufacturing or import capabilities

2

Research government procurement processes and requirements

3

Establish relationships with suppliers in manufacturing countries (China, India)

4

Pivot production immediately to high-demand items (masks, respirators, gloves)

5

Target institutional buyers (hospitals, government) over consumers

6

Scale production capacity rapidly while demand exceeds supply

7

Manage inventory carefully as crisis demand subsides

Checklist

FDA/regulatory approval for medical devices secured
Supply chain relationships established
Government contracting processes understood
Quality control systems in place
Inventory management system for demand fluctuation
Legal structure for government contracts

Inputs Needed

  • Manufacturing capability or supplier relationships
  • Capital for inventory and equipment
  • Understanding of regulatory requirements
  • Government contracting knowledge

Outputs

  • Government contracts worth $10M-$100M+
  • Established relationships with institutional buyers
  • Proven crisis response capability
  • Manufacturing infrastructure

Example

“Company immediately shifts from consumer products to N95 masks when COVID hits, wins $113M government contract by being among first suppliers to meet institutional demand”