How To Start A Clothing Business

Running your own clothing business can be an exciting and rewarding experience full of milestones and personal achievements.  You get to be your own boss, set your own hours and create beautiful pieces of clothing that reflects your personal style. For newbies, however, it can be tough to know how to start a clothing business.  Here are some tips for how to get the ball rolling and get your business off the ground!

Have A Vision

Having a vision of what you want to create is key to getting your clothing business off the ground. For instance, if you have a passion for size-inclusive clothing and want to cater to all different body types with a focus on dresses, use that as a starting point for your business. In the beginning stages of your business, it is also important to identify if there is a need in the market for your product. For example, there will always be a demand for size-inclusive clothing, as there are always going to be people of all different body types. Having a clear vision of what you want to create and the level of demand for your product will help you kickstart your business and set you in the right direction.

Build Your Dream Team

After you’ve recognized your vision, building a team of driven and reliable partners should be your next step.  Even if you just start out by hiring one employee, having an extra pair of hands on deck can make a huge difference in taking your business to the next level.  If you aren’t sure where to start when looking for recruits, try posting an ad online describing what you are looking for in a candidate. You can also post job listings on fashion school websites or go the old-fashioned route and hand out flyers in-person.  Finding even one great employee can help provide you with the foundation you need to further build your team with the right people.

Find A Manufacturer

Once you have your dream team, it’s time to start looking for a manufacturer to produce your clothing!  When looking for a factory, it is important that you are able to actually visit it and make sure everything is up to standard.  Visiting a factory can also help you get a better picture of how the factory functions and how the working conditions are. If possible, try to find a factory that’s local to you, so that you can regularly visit and keep and eye on things.  Physically being in the factory during production is crucial in the early stages of your business, so try to be as hands-on as possible during the process.

Market Your Business

Once you have a finished product, it’s time to show the world!  Thanks to social media, marketing your clothing business can be incredibly easy- if you know what you’re doing.  One of your first plans of action should be to start an Instagram account for your business. Follow clothing companies that have a similar vibe to yours and get inspired by the way they market their products.  If you don’t have the funds to hire professional models, ask your friends- or even employees- to model, and post plenty of pictures! Using social media as a marketing tool for your business is one of the best ways to gain a following and create hype around your brand.  After establishing an online presence, you can really start building a fan base and taking your business to the next level!