David Behar

Exciting things are happening at Kole Imports in electronics and general merchandise! See below for more details on our newest acquisition of a trusted name in the industry for over 60 years:

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Sourcing Strategy in a Shifting Market I was recently approached by a licensing brand with multiple product categories from blankets to housewares to bags ..looking to diversify beyond China. While they had strong existing factory relationships, the uncertainty around global tariffs pushed us to explore new sourcing routes. Over the past few months, we’ve been testing and developing samples with a factory in Vietnam — especially for categories like blankets headed to retailers like Target and Walmart. But here’s the key: When you diversify your factory base, the first question to ask is — what does your retailer require? • What product testing is needed? • What audit certifications are required? • What quality standards and production capacity must be met? We handled that entire process — factory research, sampling, certification checks — and are now ready for our first test order. -I don’t just find you a factory, I find you the right one, based on what your product and retailer need to succeed. #productdevelopment #supplychain #manufacturing #sourcing #tariffs #vietnamfactory #retailready #target #walmart #auditcompliance #visionstoreality

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Executive Order 14411 just redrew the line between US and foreign importers — and if you bring your own product into the US from Latin America, you're on the side that changed. If you're a producer in the region importing your own product, you're now looking at higher bonding requirements, more disclosure, and limits on how you can file. The casual path into the US market is closing. I understand why that worries exporters. But I'd offer a different way to see it: the barrier that just went up is the same barrier your less-prepared competitors won't clear. The brands that get their US side right — accurate filings, a licensed broker, clean compliance — end up with more of the shelf, not less. That crossing is our whole job — the reason Latin Gate exists since 2001, and the reason clients call when the rules shift. Bringing product into the US from Latin America and wondering how the new rules affect you? Let's talk it through. 👇

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Tariffs, policy shifts and trade rules that change faster than planning cycles. For many CFOs, the past year has felt more like reacting than deciding. On Thursday, October 22, our CEO and Co-founder Jesús Romero will moderate "Taking back the leverage" for the CFO Leadership Council San Diego Chapter. The panel will dig into one question: how can U.S. companies turn trade uncertainty into real supply chain control? Jesús will be joined by a panel that covers the issue from every angle: - Will Ater, CFO, Nucleus Biologics & Stoic Bio - Gina Oliveri, Managing Director, Tax, Trade & Customs, KPMG LLP - Alicia Johnston, Sr. Relationship Manager, Bank of America - Juan Felipe Sanchez, Founder, Mexico Business Lawyers Finance, tax and customs, banking and Mexican legal strategy, all in one room. If you lead finance for a company with cross-border operations, or you're evaluating Mexico as part of your supply chain strategy, this is a conversation worth joining. 📍 KPMG, 4655 Executive Drive, San Diego 🗓 Thursday, October 22, 2026, 5:00 to 7:00 pm (in person) Register here: https://lnkd.in/gE9JvKDC Thank you to the CFO Leadership Council for the invitation and to KPMG for hosting. #CFOLeadershipCouncil #SupplyChain #Nearshoring #CrossBorder #Mexico #SanDiego

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Sell the result. Make the value clear. Good selling starts with understanding what someone wants to accomplish. 🔧 A drill helps someone finish a project. The value is in what it makes possible. ⏰ Software should make work easier. Fewer missed deadlines, better coordination, and less wasted time. 🎯 A consultant should help solve a problem. The presentation matters when it leads to useful action. 🛍️ A retail buyer needs more than another product. They need merchandise that attracts shoppers, sells through, and earns repeat business. 💰 Value goes beyond the lowest price. Quality, reliability, service, and confidence in the outcome all matter. 👂 Ask questions before making your pitch. Understand the need before recommending the solution. Three questions worth asking: What problem are you trying to solve? What is that problem costing you in time, money, or frustration? What would a successful result look like? For me, this comes back to a simple belief: Say what you do. Do what you say. Understand the need. Make a promise you can keep. Follow through. #Sales #CustomerValue #JBM #BusinessRelationships

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Growth is easy. Discipline is not. After nearly three decades as a retailer, manufacturer, and business owner, I’ve learned that making money isn’t what separates lasting companies from short-lived ones. What matters is how efficiently you keep it, invest it, and grow it—without confusing size for strength. In a business culture obsessed with expansion, the most resilient organizations are often the leanest, fastest, and most accountable. 👉 Read more in my latest Forbes Business Council article: https://shorturl.at/lxdkr #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #LeanBusiness #SustainableGrowth #ThoughtLeadership #Forbes

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What does it really cost to manufacture in Mexico? Most cost comparisons start with base wage rates. But labor is only one part of the equation. If you're evaluating Mexico, the full cost picture includes: 1. Fully burdened labor (not just base wages) 2. Facility and infrastructure costs 3. Compliance and trade administration (IMMEX, customs, etc.) 4. Startup and ramp timelines 5. Ongoing operational overhead The difference between a strong financial decision and unexpected cost creep usually comes down to understanding these components upfront. We put together a guide that breaks this down, so you can evaluate Mexico with clarity and realistic expectations. https://bit.ly/4rvxQNM

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“Made in America” is more than a label. It is a statement about value. For American manufacturing, the opportunity is not simply to compete on price. It is to create products where quality, durability, innovation and price make sense together. A good American product does not have to be the cheapest option on the shelf. It has to give the customer a reason to believe that what they are paying for is worth it. That is where the strength of the American brand becomes clear. When quality meets a competitive price, “Made in America” becomes more than a place of origin. It becomes a promise of value, trust and long term performance. 🇺🇸 #MadeInUSA #Fromerica

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I Used to Think Factories Were About Machines. The more people I meet, the more I realize they are actually about dreams. Every factory I speak with has a story. A founder who took a risk. A family that built something from nothing. A team that spends years perfecting a product most people will never think twice about. When we walk through a trade show, it's easy to see packaging, technology, or beautiful displays. What we don't see are the thousands of decisions, failures, sacrifices, and hopes behind every product. Maybe that's why I enjoy this work so much. I'm not looking for products. I'm looking for people I can believe in. Because long before I represent a company... I want to admire the people behind it. Business becomes much easier when respect comes before contracts. And perhaps that's what international trade is really about. Not moving products across borders. But connecting people who believe in building something meaningful together. I'd love to hear your story...

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