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A Client Request That Wasn’t Easy
Jason is walking through the crowded streets of Nairobi, and he’s on the phone through his earphones.
He is a 28-year-old project manager at a local advertising and events agency. He’s made a lot of big brand campaigns.
However, six months ago, he was approached by a routine client with another type of assignment.
‘They wanted a huge quantity of outdoor umbrellas for their retail stores,” Jason said.
The umbrellas needed to be sturdy, shade the sun, withstand wind, and feature their logo. And the budget was tight.”
He tested the local market, but nothing took off.
The material was cheap, the frames were flimsy, and the prices were steep. “I realized, there’s got to be another way.”
Googling for a Factory: The story of another company that started to make masks.
Jason decided to look online.
He Googled “custom outdoor umbrellas China factory.”
One site caught his attention — HFUMBRELLA, a custom umbrella business based in China, with a history that dates back to 1987.
Product pictures, material details, design choices, and even sample videos were clearly presented on the website.
“I sent them an inquiry,” Jason said. “I got an email back 30 minutes later with all the information I needed: frame specs, printing types, and product ideas.”
Comparing 4 Vendors and Selecting the Appropriate 1
Jason also reached out to four suppliers on Alibaba and Made-in-China.
He wanted to compare.
But the difference was clear.
“Some replied too slowly. One couldn’t even send an appropriate quote. One sample “faded after just one day in the sun.”
HFUMBRELLA stood out.
They replied quickly and directly. They broke it all down — colors, printing, packaging — and sent videos for every step.
Samples, Tests, and Two Months of Remote Labour
Jason and the HFUMBRELLA team worked remotely for the next two months.
They cemented designs, chose fabric, put logos on the fabric, and organized shipping.
When the sample landed in Nairobi, Jason tested it outdoors in the wind. He asked the client to take a look.
“They said yes right away. It sounded good, and it felt strong.”
His First Container Order Was a Hit
Jason ordered two full containers with close to 9,500 umbrellas.
The containers were transported from China’s Guangdong province to Mombasa, Kenya.
“It was the largest project I ever did. I was nervous,” Jason said. “But then the client popped open the first umbrella and smiled, and I knew we made the right decision.”
Umbrellas came in as described and on time. The logo print was clean. The frame and cloth were steady.
Everything was neatly stowed.
He Never Went to China, but It Felt Like He Did
“If I had to fly to China for factory visits, I would have spent $4,000 at a minimum,” Jason said.
“I did everything online, with good communication and trust instead. And it worked.”
From Project Manager to “China Expert” at the Office
From there, Jason became an office expert on all things China.
Colleagues began asking him where they could find good suppliers and how they could avoid scams.
“I used to think trading with China was just for the big companies,” he said.
“Now I realize — you know, with the internet, anyone that’s careful and wants to do it can do it.”
Umbrellas Were Only the Beginning
Jason is now applying this model to other industries — hotels, schools, and even East Africa’s tourism industry.
“You don’t need to go to China to bring quality products to Africa,” he said.
“You just need to find the right partner and ask the right questions.