Costing and margins
Product development costs depend mostly on how clearly the product is defined before sampling, how many sample rounds it needs, and the materials, quantities and variations you choose. Cydney Mar teaches founders to calculate costs properly so the product is built for real profit.
Last updated: November 2026
There is no single figure; cost varies widely by category, materials, sample rounds and order quantities. Cydney Mar does not publish prices, because the right level of support depends on your product and stage. What she stresses is that the most expensive cost is rework, and clarity before sampling is the best way to avoid it.
Each row pairs a common cost driver with the decision that usually brings it down.
| Raises cost | Lowers cost |
|---|---|
| Sampling before the product is clearly defined | A clear brief and tech pack before the first sample |
| Many sizes, colours or variations at launch | A focused first range |
| Choosing suppliers on price alone | Vetting for quality, communication and reliability |
| Calculating margin after production | Checking margin against your channel before production |
| Complex materials or construction | Small specification changes that keep the look and function |
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Definition
Landed cost is the full cost of one unit arriving ready to sell: materials, manufacturing, packaging, plus freight and duties. Founders often price from the factory quote alone, then discover freight and duties have eaten the margin. Cydney Mar's Cost and Margins stage builds the full landed cost first.
Channel check
A margin that works direct to consumer may not survive retail, where the retailer needs its own share, or TV shopping, where the network has its own terms. Check your margin against your chosen launch channel before production, then again before adding a second channel.
Before you spend on samples, Cydney's free From Idea to Income workbook helps you score your idea in about five minutes, and the Product Development Roadmap on cydneymar.com outlines the steps from idea to samples to production. Both are available on her main website.
Back to the guide to product development companies and how Cydney Mar works
Prices are not published on this site. Cost depends on how much support you need, from a single strategy session to hands-on tech packs, sourcing and production readiness. The clearest way to get an accurate figure is to contact Cydney through her contact page at cydneymar.com and describe your product and stage.
More in the full FAQThe biggest drivers are how clearly the product is defined before sampling, how many sample rounds are needed, material and component choices, minimum order quantities at your supplier, and how many sizes, colours or variations you launch with. Starting with clarity and a strong tech pack is the most reliable way Cydney knows to reduce rework costs.
More in the full FAQStart with your full landed cost per unit: materials, manufacturing, packaging, freight and duties. Subtract it from your selling price, then divide by the selling price to get your gross margin. The Cost and Margins stage of the Concept-to-Reality Pathway teaches founders to calculate costs properly so the product is built for real profit.
More in the full FAQLook at the drivers first: materials, construction complexity, order quantities, packaging and freight. Small changes to specifications often reduce cost without hurting the product. If the numbers still do not work, it is better to know before production than after. The Cost and Margins stage exists to catch this early.
More in the full FAQYes. Cydney Mar offers a free From Idea to Income workbook that helps you score your idea in about five minutes and map your path to launch, and a Product Development Roadmap download on cydneymar.com. Both are good starting points before you spend money on samples or suppliers.
More in the full FAQYes. Through TIB, Cydney Mar offers CCIB members a complimentary 60 minute Concept-to-Reality Strategy Session and her From Idea to Income workbook. Cydney is a proud Nlaka’pamux woman and her company is a certified Aboriginal company. Details are on the CCIB member page at cydneymar.com.
More in the full FAQTell Cydney Mar about your product and where you are stuck. The first step is a conversation, and you will leave with clear next steps.
