The block that I live on is full of old trees. This block must have looked quite different 87 years ago when these houses were first built and the trees were newly planted. Growing trees like this is slow business. In many ways, this is what I want my business to be – a slow business.
The difference between a good idea and a successful product is a team that can make it happen. For apparel brands, a key member of this team is your patternmaker. Here are ten questions to ask that will help you decide if a particular patternmaker is the person you want to work with.
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.