How Liana turned a tangled‑lights headache into Lightacles—magnetic, modular 60‑ft string lights—by partnering with Gembah for sourcing and production.
Two Christmases ago, Liana wrestled with 60 feet of tangled string lights and a half‑dead strand. A month later, a magnetic snap on her toothbrush sparked the insight: what if lights were modular and connected magnetically? Today, Lightacles’ patent‑pending Magnetic String Lights let anyone click together 5‑foot segments in seconds—no knots, no mess, just the exact length you need and a cozy glow on demand. With Gembah orchestrating manufacturer search, sampling, and production overseas, a first‑time founder turned a living‑room aha into a retail‑ready product.
“It’s the thing you need and don’t know you need yet… and it’s just the start of a larger ecosystem.” — Liana
Founder Story
The spark. Liana and her daughter were untangling long strands for a fresh Christmas tree when the usual frustration hit: snarls, flickers, and a last‑minute store run. The idea for segments surfaced that day; the method arrived weeks later when a Quip™ toothbrush clicked onto its magnetic charger. Magnets were simple, satisfying, and foolproof—exactly what seasonal lighting was missing.
From idea to action. Though she’d worked in marketing strategy, Liana had never launched her own product. A layoff, a new day job, and a renewed sense of confidence nudged her from “someday” to “let’s go.” Her boyfriend and brother pitched in, tinkering with cut light strings and pogo pins to validate the concept. The proof-of-concept worked—but U.S. manufacturers wouldn’t touch a novel, small‑batch idea.
Finding a build partner. After weeks of dead ends, Liana discovered Gembah. What stood out: transparency, modular services, and clear pricing. With her account manager coordinating across time zones, Gembah connected Liana to vetted factories in China, guided early engineering/sampling, negotiated MOQs, and set expectations on timelines so a new concept could be produced without enterprise volumes.
“Find the right person, find the right people—then trust your gut, and invest the money.” — Liana
The Product
Lightacles Magnetic String Lights ship as 12 magnetically connected 5‑ft segments (60 ft total) with a 10‑ft lead, 16 LEDs per segment, quick‑connect male/female magnetic ends, multiple light modes, and two color temperatures—Bright White for crisp sparkle or Soft White for cozy warmth. Indoor, plug‑in convenience means you size your display to fit the moment—mantels, windows, stairs, trees, and party backdrops—without wrestling one giant strand.
Why it’s different:
- No‑tangle setup & storage: Segments coil neatly; magnets snap and release with a click.
- Custom length without waste: Use 10, 20, or 60 feet—your call.
- Reliability: If a section fails, swap the segment, not the whole run.
- Ambiance control: Switch between Bright White and Soft White; pick a lighting mode to match the vibe.
“Everybody says it’s a must‑have—it solves tangling and lets you customize length.” — Liana (on early Amazon Vine feedback)
The Challenge
- Novel design = limited factory interest. Most manufacturers prefer massive runs; a new concept plus small MOQs was a hurdle.
- Self‑funded. Capital discipline shaped every decision.
- Clock vs. seasonality. Hitting holiday demand required speed without sacrificing quality.
- Visibility. Educating shoppers on a new lighting format—and justifying a premium price—takes creative storytelling and hands‑on demos.
Gembah’s Role
- Manufacturer Search & Vetting: Identified capable partners in China for magnetized connectors and segmented LED assemblies.
- Sampling & Iteration: Coordinated samples to validate magnetic connections, segment tolerances, and light quality.
- Production Oversight: Managed quotes, MOQs, and timelines appropriate for a first run of a novel product.
- Logistics Coordination: Guided labeling/pack‑out for Amazon FBA; advised on multi‑warehouse receiving and realistic lead times.
Launch & Early Traction
- Amazon FBA: First units entered U.S. warehouses with multi‑site receiving; early orders began while inbounding continued.
- Amazon Vine: Early reviewers highlighted the core value props—no tangles, modular length, and a premium, gift‑worthy experience.
- Channel Plan: Amazon today; TikTok Shop and a Shopify site next to capture first‑party data and attribute paid media efficiently.
What’s Next
Accessories, additional lengths, and more formats are on the roadmap. Patents have been filed as Liana builds toward a broader “magnetic lighting” ecosystem.
Results Snapshot
- From idea to market: ~2 years, including concept validation, factory sourcing, sampling, production, and FBA receiving.
- Launch window: Holiday 2025 with real‑time learnings feeding DTC build‑out.
- Customer proof: Positive Vine feedback reinforces the core promise: elegant setup, configurable length, better holiday lighting.
Expectations. New hardware, small MOQs, and global logistics take time—plan for that.
Why Gembah
For first‑time founders and seasoned operators alike, Gembah compresses the journey from concept to production with on‑the‑ground sourcing, engineering, and manufacturing management—delivering enterprise‑grade attention even on small runs. If you’re ready to build, we’re ready to help.
Interested in building your product? Let’s talk.
Start Your Journey Today