I think there are the following patterns:
Pattern 1
If a business first creates a product that is excellent, high-quality, and affordable,
then starts building traffic, and if managed well, it can make money. For example: Genki Forest sparkling water. If there is no traffic and it doesn't sell, it fails. For example, Guangxi's Osmanthus brand watches—by the time the product gained traffic, the factory had already shut down.
Pattern 2
If a business first creates a product that is extremely outstanding, top-tier, and unique, and anyone can tell it's a great product, it can generate long-term profits because it has a very high moat. For example, Moutai, chips, operating systems.
Pattern 3
If a business first has some traffic, and the product is very ordinary, but it can still move inventory, with monthly orders enough to support 2-3 people, it operates with slim profits but can keep going and build a brand. For example, small and medium-sized cross-border e-commerce independent sites, street vendors selling skewers or baked pancakes.
Pattern 4
If a business first gains massive traffic, then finds suitable products to sell to that traffic, they belong to celebrity endorsements—it's no longer just sales. For example, Douyin influencers gain huge fan traffic through humor, then sell products in live streams.
Analysis
There is a coupling relationship between products and traffic, much like the famous philosophical question: which came first, the chicken or the egg?
This question seems impossible to answer correctly, yet every answer is also right. Each of these patterns has successful examples; all can work, just suited to different people.
Pattern 1 suits those with abundant resources around them. Pattern 2 suits state-owned enterprises that aren't afraid of losses and play the long game. Pattern 3 suits ordinary people without special talents but who can attract small traffic. Pattern 4 suits those who can attract massive traffic, such as artists who can sing, dance, be funny, or create engaging content.
Conclusion
So, if you're not born into wealth, not within the system, and not shameless enough, it's best to stick with a business of small traffic + ordinary products. Find your own commercial path through operation—that's the best approach.