Venturing into the outdoor furniture market with an OEM partner is an exciting step, but the path is riddled with potential missteps for new brands. The most common errors often stem from inexperience and haste. Firstly, brands neglect thorough market research and clear product definition, leading to generic designs that fail to stand out. They often prioritize low cost over everything else, selecting suppliers based solely on price, which compromises material quality and craftsmanship. A critical mistake is skipping the prototype and sampling phase, resulting in mass-produced items that don't match expectations in feel, finish, or function. Many also underestimate the complexities of logistics, packaging, and lead times, causing delays and damaged goods. Finally, a lack of clear, documented quality control standards with the manufacturer leads to inconsistent product batches and customer dissatisfaction. Success lies in detailed planning, transparent partner vetting, and never cutting corners on sampling and quality assurance.