Great story. Just to add a small data point: in my (limited) experience with Chinese manufacturers, MOQ rarely survive the first couple of emails. They like t

Great story. Just to add a small data point: in my (limited) experience with Chinese manufacturers, MOQ rarely survive the first couple of emails. They like to throw at you impressive MOQ just to see if you're serious, or maybe as a first try, or maybe because those MOQ are attached to the really low prices they have quoted elsewhere. But when you inquire further you often discover that MOQs aren't really binding. For instance, I was recently told I would have to commit to 50000 pcs (50k!) of some fabric design... and in fact I'll be able to make less than 500 at a still very competitive price. Also, and this may be true everywhere, once you engage with someone they become invested in your project and will work with you, even against the rules of their own organization, to make it happen. They won't sell their kids for you, but they will most certainly chat with the in-house accountant about MOQs.