5 answers
Kaiah
Student
2
Questions
Asked
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What tips do you have for starting a business?
I'm a Sophomore in high school, and I thinking about becoming an entrepreneur in the clothing/fashion industry. What do I need to know in order to be successful?
#business #fashion #entrepreneur #clothing
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5 answers
Irena Daniel
Fashion Designer
5
Answers
Kennedale, Texas
Updated
Irena’s Answer
I am a graduate fashion designer with my own clothing line.
First things first, fashion design is business and always take it as one despite the fact that is a very creative industry.
Second, know your niche, research your niche and keep up with the changes that your audience is desiring to see.
Plan, preserve and sustain you fashion brand. Being financially sustainable in this industry is a key to good success without taking many risks.
As a designer I have to say this: Be a conscious designer, there is enough clothing in the world that ends up on the field, be sustainable and try to make this industry a little better, try not to be a contributer to the problems that already exist in it. That could be the thing to separates you for the rest of the designers, being sustainable and conscious.
Good Luck !
1. Always ask the right questions: when you sell as yourself why and when you don't sell ask the same thing. Questions toward your success and failure helps you get better in what you are doing and develop.
2. Blue print: know what you create, build a plant of what you want to achieve, check your progress on a regular bases.
3. Prepare: who are your customers, what is your market massage, connect with your audience, segment your customers.
4. Know why you are doing the things that you are doing - nowadays people want to know why, they want transparency.
Keep track on your progress regularly and analyze.
First things first, fashion design is business and always take it as one despite the fact that is a very creative industry.
Second, know your niche, research your niche and keep up with the changes that your audience is desiring to see.
Plan, preserve and sustain you fashion brand. Being financially sustainable in this industry is a key to good success without taking many risks.
As a designer I have to say this: Be a conscious designer, there is enough clothing in the world that ends up on the field, be sustainable and try to make this industry a little better, try not to be a contributer to the problems that already exist in it. That could be the thing to separates you for the rest of the designers, being sustainable and conscious.
Good Luck !
Irena recommends the following next steps:
Jorge Chang
Engineering Manager
10
Answers
Sunnyvale, California
Updated
Jorge’s Answer
You need to gain a mix of basic business skills and domain expertise in fashion.
Basic business skills include: a) marketing, b) finance / accounting, c) customer service, d) product development, e) being a boss. You can learn these through many ways, but the best is through a mix of reading books and taking classes, and actually just doing it. Have you tried to come up with low-barrier-of-entry business ideas that you and friends can actually start? e.g. a T-shirt printing business and sell through Shopify, Etsy or Ebay?
Basic fashion skills include: a) sewing, b) design, c) sourcing material, d) manufacturing. You can learn some of this by taking fashion-related classes. There may also be fashion-focus program in colleges that cover many aspect of starting a fashion business.
Basic business skills include: a) marketing, b) finance / accounting, c) customer service, d) product development, e) being a boss. You can learn these through many ways, but the best is through a mix of reading books and taking classes, and actually just doing it. Have you tried to come up with low-barrier-of-entry business ideas that you and friends can actually start? e.g. a T-shirt printing business and sell through Shopify, Etsy or Ebay?
Basic fashion skills include: a) sewing, b) design, c) sourcing material, d) manufacturing. You can learn some of this by taking fashion-related classes. There may also be fashion-focus program in colleges that cover many aspect of starting a fashion business.
Mark Hazlett
Director of Business Intelligence
3
Answers
Saint Cloud, Florida
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hi, I do not know a lot about fashion, but I can help with the business side. The good news is that you have your idea in mind. That is very important. Starting a business is tough, but if you believe in yourself and what you are doing, you can get through the tough times and ultimately succeed. Here are some things to remember:
You will need to know your target market and the demand for certain products where you do business. For example, if you do business in an area where the average age is high, then newer fashion styles will probably not succeed as well as in an area where the average age is younger.
You also need to know the income ranges of your target market. If you live in an area where income levels are lower than average, then you will need to make sure you take that into account in your pricing model.
You should research potential competition in the area you want to do business. If you are offering a similar service as another business close to you, then you will want to differentiate your product to show value.
Finally, remember that most businesses lose money when they start out. Many people give up because they think they will never make money. Have some money saved up to handle the initial loss. This will allow you to make it through the tough beginning and succeed in the long term.
Good Luck!
You will need to know your target market and the demand for certain products where you do business. For example, if you do business in an area where the average age is high, then newer fashion styles will probably not succeed as well as in an area where the average age is younger.
You also need to know the income ranges of your target market. If you live in an area where income levels are lower than average, then you will need to make sure you take that into account in your pricing model.
You should research potential competition in the area you want to do business. If you are offering a similar service as another business close to you, then you will want to differentiate your product to show value.
Finally, remember that most businesses lose money when they start out. Many people give up because they think they will never make money. Have some money saved up to handle the initial loss. This will allow you to make it through the tough beginning and succeed in the long term.
Good Luck!
Henry Goldsmith
Professional Development Coach
6
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Henry’s Answer
I would start by focusing on what particular part of fashion is going to be your niche. From there, you have to plan on putting in the time to get established. Entrepreneurship is tough and involves many thankless hours of sacrifice. Make sure you are ready to invest time with the possibility of minimal financial gain in the beginning; the beginning is the toughest period.
Michael Eadeh
Investor
21
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Kaiah, Well college is very expensive. But I would look into The Savannah College of Art and design! I’ve been a business owner for 39 years, it is difficult. But you can achieve anything with relentless work and desire. But knowledge is power. Not only do you have to know what you’re doing, you have to know how to do it. It design school can teach you many things.
Also talk to you and meet other business owners every chance you get. They will tell you valuable knowledge about the ups and downs of running your own business. Good luck and wishing you much success!
Michael
Also talk to you and meet other business owners every chance you get. They will tell you valuable knowledge about the ups and downs of running your own business. Good luck and wishing you much success!
Michael