My life has played out in ways I never expected. A small-town boy from Prince Edward Island in Eastern Canada, I somehow ended up building bridges between Western businesses and far flung Asian factories, first as an entrepreneur who needed those connections, then as someone who helps others do the same.

My China story started in the early 2000s when I lived and studied there while the country was building around me: roads, factories, entire cities rising from the ground. I'm now fluent in Chinese and have been involved in sourcing for over 20 years and eCommerce/retail for 15. That deep experience gives me a unique perspective on how Asia's manufacturing ecosystem really works. 

I didn't just learn sourcing from the factory side. In 2017, with just $8,000, I launched a home storage brand while juggling a full-time job and a young family. By 2020, that small investment had grown into a multi-million dollar international operation with no outside investment. Smart sourcing gave me the margins I needed to compete and grow.

Now, I'm applying everything I've learned to help two types of businesses source smarter:

Through China Product Pros I help eCommerce and D2C brands at every stage: from early startups to mature operations source products and packaging that drive 5-star reviews at the actual best pricing. We handle the complexity so you can focus on what you're good at: growing your brand.

Through Cost Hero Sourcing, I help organizations slash costs by bypassing the 3-4 markup layers in domestic distributor pricing. We deliver a turnkey factory-direct service for products you're already buying. Major cost savings, delivered right to your door.

Outside of work, I'm a proud father of three who enjoys weightlifting, skiing, learning languages, music, baking, reading, writing, and connecting with like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs in different industries.

Have sourcing challenges? Whether you're launching a new product, tired of inconsistent quality, or feel like you're overpaying, let's chat. Send me a message today.

Who's actually driving your China side operations? 🐶 

If your sourcing partner is sniffing around your inbox every day with 10 questions, something's off. Good partners aren't constantly pawing at you for answers or chasing their tail on basic production stuff.
​
They handle the midnight factory calls, the material negotiations, the production hiccups. 

They coordinate with factories so you don't have to. 

You get scheduled check-ins, not a game of fetch where you're throwing them answers all day.
​
Because you're busy running your business. Speed to market matters. Costs matter. But so does your time.

So what does real control look like? Someone you can trust to leverage their expertise and team. But ultimately, someone who's got both paws on the wheel. 

#productsourcing #costherosourcing #chinaproductpros #sourcingagency

John Kyle Beaton

Cut 30-40% from product & supply costs / I help brands and organizations source factory-direct from Asia / 20+ years experience / Millions sold / E-commerce strategist

Mike Petter, P.Eng, PMP and I have been talking to a lot of universities lately, running factory-direct quotes on their swag at Cost Hero Sourcing. 

This work feels very close to home because I spent years in student recruitment myself, working in departments just like the ones we're connecting with now.

It’s interesting to see the shift from the other side. You realize how many schools are rethinking their procurement now and looking for ways to do more with their budgets.​

#UniversityMarketing #CostHeroSourcing #StudentRecruitment #SchoolSwag

Good morning! Who's ready to buy a Chinese EV?

Friday delivered the real deal in Beijing. Here's exactly what got decided between Canada and China. 

THE EV-FOR-CANOLA TRADE

Canadian Market Opens to Chinese EVs:

• 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles can enter Canada per year at 6.1% tariff (down from 106.1%).

• This is about 3% of Canada's total new car market.

• By year five, the quota increases to 70,000 vehicles.

• Within three years, Chinese companies are expected to establish joint ventures with Canadian partners to build EVs in Canada.

• In five years, over 50% of these vehicles must be affordable EVs priced under $35,000.

CHINA SLASHES CANOLA TARIFFS 

• By March 1, 2026, China will cut canola seed tariffs from 85% to approximately 15%.

• Canadian canola meal, lobster, crab, and peas get zero tariffs from March through end of 2026.

• This unlocks nearly $3 billion in export orders for Canadian agriculture.

• China is a $4 billion market for Canadian canola producers.


STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK

Energy and Clean Technology: 

• New MOU on energy cooperation between two "energy superpowers."
• Focus on batteries, solar, wind, and energy storage with Chinese investment in Canada.
• Two-way energy cooperation to reduce emissions and scale up clean tech.


INVESTMENT TARGETS 

• Canada set a goal to increase exports to China by 50% by 2030.

Priority sectors: clean energy, technology, agri-food, wood products.

• Trade Barrier Removal
• Resolution of long-term obstacles for beef and pet food exports.
• MOUs signed on cultural exchanges, wood products, animal and plant health.


THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER

• Total two-way trade between Canada and China: $118.9 billion in 2024.
• Canadian exports to China: $30 billion.
• Canadian imports from China: $88.9 billion.
• China is Canada's second-largest single-country trading partner. Guess who number 1 is? 

What this actually means: 

• The 49,000 EV quota restores Chinese imports to pre-tariff war levels (2023-2024).

• It's designed to push Chinese automakers to build in Canada, not just export finished cars.

• The canola deal ends retaliatory tariffs China imposed during the trade freeze.

• March 1 deadline gives both sides 6 weeks to implement tariff cuts.

This is a framework for expanding trade by 50% over four years and bringing Chinese manufacturing investment into Canada.

What do you think? Are you ready to buy a Chinese EV? 

#CanadaChina #EVs #CostHeroSourcing #ChinaProductPros

Chinese New Year is coming and the factory delays are already upon us. Here are some things to know. 

Chinese New Year this year falls on Feb 17, 2026 and all factories will slow down or shut down completely around that time.

What that means for your orders:

⬤ Slower replies
⬤ Fewer or no production slots

Longer lead times (2–4+ weeks of disruption, including shutdown + ramp-up)

If you have orders planned for Feb–Apr, now’s the time to lock in:

⬤ Final specs + artwork
⬤ Deposit + production slot
⬤ “Last ship date” in writing

Don’t let CNY sneak up on your lead times.

How are you planning around Chinese New Year this year?

#chinaproductpros #chinesefactories #productsourcing #sourcingagency

If you don’t control specs, vendors control your budget.
 
Here’s a common trap:

You send out a product request with vague specs. 

Three suppliers come back with three totally different quotes and now you're comparing apples, oranges, and pineapples.

Why?

Because when your specs aren’t clear, vendors fill in the gaps their own way.

Some add padding, others cut corners, and suddenly your budget is at their mercy.

Simple fix: define your must-haves vs nice-to-haves before you request quotes.

This way, everyone’s quoting on the same target, and you get real cost clarity.

Over time, having a clear, repeatable spec template can:

⬤ Reduce back-and-forth
⬤ Make vendor comparisons easy
⬤ Lower your cost variability
⬤ Help you scale without confusion

Do you use a standard spec template for recurring purchases or is it case by case?

#costherosourcing #factorycommunication #productsourcing #sourcingagency

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