Even though I am a business in the fashion space and work with start-up brands, I’m not going to convince you to make this year the year you finally launch your fashion brand. Like it or not, there are reasons why starting your own line may not be the right thing to do this year.
In honor of Small Business Saturday today, I want to introduce you to a few of the amazing brands I’ve had the pleasure of working with this year. Each of them has a unique style, niche focus, and a purpose that goes beyond just the clothing.
Many fashion entrepreneurs start their brands to solve a problem that they personally experience. They’re frustrated with the lack of options available and decide to create the product they wish existed. Being a designer in your own target market has unique advantages, but it also has some drawbacks. Let’s look at the pros and cons.
High shipping costs, longer freight times, and rising tariffs have made moving production to the USA a competitive option for some brands. With any big logistics shift, the switch can bring some new challenges. If you are considering moving your production to the States, here are four things to prepare for to make the transition.
Have you ever struggled to narrow down your own design ideas or been unsure where to invest in your business? You might be making it harder for yourself than it needs to be. If you are not clear on who you are designing for, you can’t prioritize your design ideas or your budget well.
Different production models can yield very different businesses, garments, customer experiences, and ethical and environmental impacts. Let’s look at a range of fashion production models and their pros and cons.
The fashion industry gets stereotyped as being secretive, exclusive, and competitive about their resources. But, I think the benefits of collaborating and sharing resources far outweigh any downsides. Referrals are a win-win. Asking for referrals benefits your brand, benefits the person giving the referral, and benefits the person or company being referred.
Without a plan for how your designs will make your brand money, you won’t be able to continue to share your designs with the world. The good news: there is more than one way that the products in your collection can affect your customer and your bottom line.
It seems backwards that the smaller the audience or demographic that you focus on, the more sales you’ll get, but I’ve seen it happen over and over again in my clients’ businesses and in my own. Being hyper-focused that puts you in the sweet spot where your ideal customers are waiting for you.
These brands each create thoughtful fashion that is made to fit your lifestyle and your body, and your personality! You’ll feel the personal touch, quality, and care when you wear their pieces and you’ll be supporting these small businesses, their local economies, and their families.