Two guys start a D-FW mask factory but can’t catch a break. Forget made in Texas. China always wins

submitted by StrategicTactic from dallasnews.com

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[–]StrategicTactic[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The Tarrant County purchasing department disqualified them from bidding.

County officials say it’s because the local masks weren’t tested by the public health department. But hey, the feds have already given the 1836 the safety seal of approval.

Whitley said federal testing is good enough for him, but state law makes it difficult for governments to not accept the lowest bid.

[–]Node 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Off to a good start, but then John and David ran into a force so powerful it threatens to shut their business down before it gets off the ground.

Lack of a viable business plan. The article explains the problems they're running into just happen to be some of the exact problems one solves in the business plan before throwing money at an idea.

"Who will give us money for this stuff, and why?"

"How can we ensure it's enough money to make this project work?"

As for the sympathy angle, they obviously continued with their project after it became obvious the Cohen-19/coronavirus is a hoax. Attempting to cash in on a scam subtracts points they might otherwise have received in ordinary times.

[–][deleted] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

Why can't they sell them directly? Seems like they missed an opportunity to do this in the article. Probably hoping a big buyer just comes along, seeks em out.

[–]StrategicTactic[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I believe they had gambled big on selling to the county. I don't think they have anything set up for individual packaging (which would likely be needed for individual or retail sales). I would bet they contacted media for articles like this in the hope that the public might put some pressure on the county to change things to get some sort of "buy local" preferential treatment thing passed.

Even if they didn't plan on it, I would assume that they should be able to recoup some losses by selling individual masks, even if it is out of a van or kiosk.