I’m Tiago Costa, a camping equipment distributor with warehouses in Porto and a customer network spanning all of Northern Portugal—many of my clients own stores near popular spots like Gerês National Park or the Costa Verde beaches. Two years ago, I was almost ready to give up on portable outdoor fans entirely: my previous supplier’s products felt like they were only built to last one season. Some were so heavy they wouldn’t fit in backpacks; others had batteries that died after just 4 hours; even a small bump would crack the plastic. Around 30% of the units got returned by customers, and the profit per sale was so low—just €8 per piece—that it barely seemed worth keeping the product line.
Then I met Balacn at a trade show in Braga, where they were showcasing their line of portable outdoor fans. I vented to their representative: my customers—mostly young hikers and campers who head to remote areas—needed something lightweight, with solar charging, and that actually let me make a real profit. He picked up a prototype, showed me it weighed just 350g and had a 20-hour battery life, and said, “Our wholesale prices let you earn at least €15 per unit, without compromising on quality.” We even tested the product in Gerês with campers, who confirmed the solar charging worked even on cloudy days—and the compact design was perfect for slipping into backpacks.
Two weeks later, the sample arrived: a portable outdoor fan with 3 speed settings, solar + USB charging, and a hook for hanging inside tents. I sent 50 units to a client in Viana do Castelo, and they sold out in 10 days. With a retail price of €45, I made €16 per unit—more than double what I’d earned before.
Last summer, Portugal’s heatwave sent orders soaring by 450%. My old supplier would have taken 3 weeks to deliver, but Balacn shipped 800 units in just 7 days—and threw in an extra volume discount, boosting my profit margin to €18 per unit. By the end of the summer, Balacn’s portable outdoor fans made up 35% of my total sales, and the profit from this line was up 220% compared to the previous year.
Now, my customers don’t ask for “any fan”—they ask for “the Balacn one.” A retailer in Bragança told me hikers are buying two at a time: one for themselves, one for a friend. And the best part? I never get returns anymore, and Balacn always delivers on time. Expanding into Balacn’s product line was the best decision I’ve made for my business—and the profit it brings? It makes every bit of effort worth it.
