How I Help Small Brands Manufacture in China
I work directly with start-ups and emerging brands that want to manufacture performance sportswear and technical outdoor gear in China.
My service is simple: I give you the access, guidance, and assurance you need to build products without the common headaches — unclear pricing, unreliable suppliers, miscommunication, and late deliveries.
Who I Am and What I Do
Founder: Stephen Kelly
I’m not an agency, and I don’t add layers between you and the supplier. You get direct access to the right partners, supported by my experience and systems that keep your product, timeline, and budget on track.
My focus on sportswear and outdoor gear is personal. As a lifelong runner, I know the real benefits of well-made performance products. And with a fascination for technical design, I see every project as an opportunity to keep learning while helping brands build products that perform.
Living, Working, & Running in Shanghai.
The Small Brand Struggle - and How I Fix It
For many founders, manufacturing in China feels out of reach. High MOQs, language barriers, and uncertainty about where to start often stall great ideas before they get off the ground.
I built Active Connections to change that. Seeing the demand — especially for niche, specialist products — I developed a trusted network of suppliers who could truly deliver for smaller, ambitious brands.
Today, that network is your inside track: fair pricing, flexible order sizes, and the specialist expertise to bring your products to market with confidence.
I’ve spent decades solving your problems
The Active Connections Difference
Every brand I work with gets three things:
Access
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You don’t just get access, you get ownership. From day one, you’re in the driver’s seat: communicating directly with decision-makers, working with English-speaking merchandisers dedicated to your brand, and building lasting supplier relationships your way. The result is fewer misunderstandings, faster decisions, tighter collaboration, and a manufacturing partner committed to your long-term growth.
Support
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I’ve got your back — even after you’re connected. My role is one of preventative vigilance. I monitor critical points, anticipate friction, and ensure problems don’t become crises. When emails go unanswered, I escalate. When fit changes risk inflating costs, I flag them before they take effect. When bottlenecks emerge, I spotlight the roadblocks so your timelines stay protected. Firefighting is failure. My work is prevention.
Visibility
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Your supply chain shouldn’t be a mystery. I enforce transparency rigorously so you always know where your products are made, who is making them, and how they are produced. Suppliers declare all factories upfront, and I personally verify each one for technical ability and social compliance. Every order comes with confirmation of which vetted factory will handle your production. The outcome is simple: you never guess. You know.
Engineered Services
Active Connections+
Need factory assessments, in-line quality checks, or process and procedure set-up? Active Connections+ is a targeted support service designed to solve specific manufacturing challenges outside my core offer. Name your issue, and let’s fix it.
I’ll help you to troubleshoot and prevent costly issues.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
From first connection to finished product, I'll help build the right manufacturing path for your brand.