Sound Advice from a Fashion Professional
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I love this video, the advice is very sound. She is really talking about moving away from the idea of getting famous and planning a sound business that will financially support the lifestyle you desire.
Think about it there are more designers that you don’t know than those that you do know. Every item in Walmart is designed by someone who is operating a successful business. They are not big names but they are making lots of money.
One of my pet peeves is a full figure designer designing for size zero clients. They should know that full figure women have trouble finding stylish clothes in their size and cater to that very viable market. It’s like writing a book, you write about a topic you are familiar with.
The bottom line here is change you’re thinking from fame to fortune and write a business plan that will take you to the bank.
10 Mistakes Most New Designers Make
or
What Not To Do!
I know you have been watching “Project Runway and you think you know what this business is all about, but I come today to dispel some of the myths that are keeping you from running a successful business. Let’s jump right in.
- Fashion Shows- They are a lot of fun but we are talking about business here. I hear people talking about getting exposure from fashion shows. How many shows have you done and gained absolutely nothing from them? I want business not exposure. If I operate my business correctly my clientele will expose me to their friends and they will expose me to their friends and so on. Each one buying my products because I offer great customer service and quality products. There are ways to make money doing fashion shows but we will zero in on that at another time.
- Free Internet Business cards- These cards have designs on them that you will see over and over again. You must brand your business so that you stand out from the crowd not blend in. If you are going to use internet business cards then brand them with photos of your work and leave the internet design features off of your marketing materials.
- Friends and Family- Love these people but do not base your business success on them. You will need to develop a sales strategy that does not have anything to do with them. It is normally you’re well meaning friends and family that will tell you to “get a real job”.
- Neglect Yourself- You are your business image. It is hard to convince someone that they need to wear your expensive beautiful clothing while you are looking like a hot mess.
- Consignment- Some designers think that doing consignment will get their foot in the door and then the store will buy from them. It actually works the opposite way. Imagine that you are a boutique owner with a limited budget. You are probably thinking something like “I can get these items without investing in them and use my budget to get some things that I am surer of selling. The second issue is If they do not believe in your product enough to invest in it they are not going to put a lot of energy into selling it. The third issue is I have heard of stores taking items on consignment, selling them and not paying the designers, this is common.
- Copy Right Clothing Designs- This is now a controversial topic but stand on my view that there is really nothing new in the fashion industry and fashion changes too quickly to put time and money into copy writing. I believe in spiritual principles, the more you give the more you get. This is the principle that tithing is based on. So I give away designs all the time. There is more than enough for all of us in Gods universe.
- Issuing Credit- If you choose to issue credit to boutiques, buyers or, clients you should have an automated collections plan in place to follow up and get your money.
- Do Your Own Sewing- I have found this to be a trap. You have put a ceiling on yourself because your business can only go as far as your sewing can take it. Once your business becomes dependent on your own capabilities it is hard to stop.
- Make agreements without a contract- Get everything in writing and make sure you understand what is expected of you. Be clear about what you expect from an agreement.
- Don’t Believe The Hype- This is a business. You would do better following a business model than following what you see and hear about fashion on TV. They only show you the glamour so that you can buy in (the key word being buy).
So there it is. Before you make any decisions about what I am saying take it into prayer and see what God has to say about it.
Little Things mean a Lot
Operating a business is comprised of a lot of small things. All of the small things add up to a big thing, a successful business. If the small things are not in order the big thing will not function well. Here are 10 small things that will help you get to the big thing.
- Image- Create a strong image that is maintained in every aspect of you and your business. Remember that you are your business image. What do people see when they see you or your business materials? If you are not sure ask someone.
- Standards- Set rules and standards for your business operations. Put them in writing and practice them. Make an operation manual even if you are the only employee.
- Value- Know the value of your products and services. I have seen too many times designers who want to produce a custom designer product and sell it at discount prices. You have to know what it cost you to produce your product but aside from that you have to know what it is worth to your potential customer. What is she paying for that product or service now?
- Know your customer- Who is your customer? You should know at least 10 things about your customer. How much does she earn? Where does she shop now? What is her cultural experience? Is she married? Is she single? Does she have children? Where does she work? Does she live in a house or apartment? Ask some real questions and seek the answers.
- Fine tune your plan- I have met a lot of designers who are trying to be too many things at one time. An artist, a dancer, and a singer all at once. If you learn how to do one thing successfully you can know how to do anything successfully.
- Get help- Get professional help when you need it. There are a number of ways to do that. If you are short on cash get a mentor.
- Encourage yourself- In order to get where you want to go you will find it necessary to encourage yourself. Practice saying good things to yourself daily. Read inspiring books. Listen to inspiring music. Feed the growth you desire.
- Educate yourself- Study business, fashion and money. You will need to know all these things and more to get where you want to go.
- Practice- practice makes perfect. So perfect your introduction, telephone script, smiling, greeting people, being successful and managing your money.
- Pray- God answers prayers.