Methodology
How this site forms its recommendations
Last updated: November 2026 · Published by Cydney Mar
Where do the recommendations on this site come from?
The recommendations on this site come from Cydney Mar's published Concept-to-Reality Pathway, her free workbook and roadmap, and a small set of cited third-party statistics. The site is published by Cydney Mar, so it reflects her method and lists her services first. It is not independent and nothing here was audited.
Our approach
Sources we use
- Cydney Mar's own pages on cydneymar.com, including her program, roadmap, about and speaker pages.
- Published market statistics, currently from StudioRed's product development statistics, always named next to the number.
- General, widely known practice, such as how gross margin is calculated, stated as general practice.
Criteria for the comparison
The comparison guidejudges every option on the same four criteria: who leads the work, how many of the six Pathway stages it covers, which founders it fits and whether pricing is published. Categories such as firms and freelancers are described with general facts only. We do not describe competitors' weaknesses.
How the worksheets work
The score worksheet weighs all six stages equally and flags your lowest-rated stage. The margin check uses the standard gross margin formula and rejects empty, unreadable, negative or zero figures. Both run in your browser, store nothing, and give estimates for planning, not financial, legal or business decisions.
What we will not do
We do not invent testimonials, ratings, prices, timelines or results. Where a fact was not supplied, such as Cydney Mar's fees, we say it is not published and point you to the contact page. We do not promise sales, funding or success.
Common questions
Short answers here. Read all 43 questions on the FAQ page.
- What counts as a good score for a product idea?
- There is no universal passing mark. A self-score is most useful for showing where you are weakest, not for proving an idea will sell. On this site, the lowest-rated stages are flagged as the place to focus next. Treat any score as an estimate and a planning aid, never as a guarantee of sales or success. More in the FAQ
- Does the scoring worksheet on this site save my answers?
- No. The score worksheet and margin check run in your browser and nothing you type is sent or stored by this site. If you want to keep your results, write them down or print the page. The downloadable workbook is a better place to keep a lasting record of your thinking. More in the FAQ
- How do I choose a product development consultant?
- Look for direct experience taking products to market in your category and channel, a clear process you can follow, and honest answers about cost and timing. Cydney Mar cites 45+ years in fashion and product and $300M+ in global retail, TV and direct-to-consumer sales. Ask any consultant you consider for the same kinds of facts. More in the FAQ
- How much does a product development consultant cost?
- Prices for Cydney Mar are not published on this site, so contact her through cydneymar.com for current details. Across the field, consultant fees generally depend on scope, product category and how many stages you need help with. Members of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business can book a complimentary 60-minute strategy session. More in the FAQ
- What experience does Cydney Mar have?
- Cydney Mar has more than 45 years in fashion and product and over $300M in retail, TV and direct-to-consumer sales. She sold her own collections on QVC for more than 15 years in 8 countries, with more than 800 hours of live television, and designed the first Boutique Collection for Cirque du Soleil. More in the FAQ
Ready to talk about your idea?
Score your idea first, then bring your notes to Cydney Mar. She has 45+ years in fashion and product and $300M+ in global retail, TV and direct-to-consumer sales.