Where do I start?

mummytofour

I would like to start up a clothing business but have no idea where to start. Can anybody tell me where I would find suppliers? Actually where do I start? I know it is quite a wide open question...

Zinger549

Will you be selling your own designs?

Firefox1975

Just go on Dragons Den and ask for Theo or Duncan..............

lindens

Most businesses succeeed because the owner knows the subject matter inside out. ALso people on here who already use suppliers will be reluctant to share that knowledge with possible competition.
Most local council's have business start-up departments with free advice and courses.I would start with your local council's website.

MummyMummy_2

do you know what you want to sell? childrens? womens? mens? fair trade/'green'? highstreet? designer? used? new? specialise in one area? eg. wedding, proms etc.
do you know where you want to sell? online shop? ebay? market? bricks and mortar shop? facebook?
do you have money available or would you need to find funding?
where are you going to store your stock or would you be wanting to use something like a drop shipping service?
have you looked at your competition?

i agree with what's been said already about you needing to do your own research as i don't think people are going to pass over all their hard work so that you can reap the rewards (and rightly so)

nickj_2

you need to work out a business plan
what are you selling
who are you selling to
where are going to sell from
do you need premises
advertising
start up costs ...
legislation

etc , the list is endless .

to find suppliers , google clothing wholesalers .

one of my neighbours did this , she started up getting stuff and then doing a tupperware style party/evening around peoples houses . after that she got a small shop , but you need a big turnover of trade to keep afloat , after a year or do she gave that up ,no money in it , she now designs clothing , gets them made in tibet and i think she's an ebay power seller

http://www.smallbusiness.co.uk/channels/start-a-business/

paulwf

mummytofour wrote: »

I would like to start up a clothing business but have no idea where to start. Can anybody tell me where I would find suppliers? Actually where do I start? I know it is quite a wide open question...

A key thing to think about is stock. Clothing obviously comes in a range of sizes so for every line you may need to keep in stock at least 5 sizes. If it then comes in 3 colourways that makes it 15 lines.

If you are going to sell online expect a high rate of returns...my gf orders everything in 2 sizes as sizing can vary so much and just returns all the ones that don't fit. You could end up reordering from the wholesaler then getting random customer returns and ending up with excess stock.

Clothing is also seasonal and fashions are constantly changing so stock can become dead stock very quickly.

If you're starting off small you will probably want a supplier where you can reorder a few pieces at any time. This will probably be rare, a lot of suppliers want a one off order 6 months in advance so it'll be impossible to keep everything in stock while avoiding overstocking.

raineshoe

lindens wrote: »

Most businesses succeeed because the owner knows the subject matter inside out. ALso people on here who already use suppliers will be reluctant to share that knowledge with possible competition.

So true. The amount of people I have contact me in my business asking who my suppliers are so they can set up in business against me. Do they honestly think M&S rings John Lewis to ask who their suppliers are. Why ask small business? Sorry to sound harsh but this so annoys me that people just don't seem to do their own legwork anymore. Posting on a forum is easy, but part of finding suppliers is learning the business. If you haven't the drive to do the legwork and find suppliers then don't start a business because if you do it properly to make it work its 24/7.

LianneCarlaS

Research
Plan
Build relationships
Re-address your plan
Secure funding
Put your plan into action
Measure results
Repeat the cycle.

One thing I'm not impressed with is people shooting down a total newbie who's looking for advice because they asked a bad question. It may be wrong to ask for someones suppliers details but there is a degree of advice that can be given so that people can have a direction to head in with their own research.
EG
google "product" wholesaler, "product" dropshipper, "product" supplier, go through yellow pages and also check out AliBaba.
Place all prospects into an excel spreadsheet with their contact details
Decide on a list of questions to ask supplers such as (what's your lead time, minimum order numbers, how often do you change products, sample products, when do you need to pay, so they work with sole traders or just limited companies)
Fill the spreadsheet with all the responses you get so you can narrow down your choices for who to contact again

One major thing to address is why you want to get into a clothing business what you hope to gain from it. What you have to offer I see your username is mummy to four so I'm guessing you have a6 lot of responsobilities and you need to make sure you have the time and commitment for this. I have 2 under 3 myself and it's hard work. do you have childcare arrangements. I don't have much in the way of childcare so I concentrate on my businesses after bedtime which can be a killer for sleep deprivation. If clothing isn't your passion then it may be worth looking at where your passion really lies and make sure you are following it as that inspires you to keep on pushing. Also know what you do best and get someone else to do the things you cant. One of my biggest mistakes was trying to do everything and know everything right away. Let people help you and it is so much better

stephent82

I would echo what others have said. If you need to know where to start, you are not ready to start!

Clothes is a business area that is fraught with challenges. Unless you can find a niche, or make-to-order I think you will struggle. That being said, a business in my town run a very successful clothing business online. Their passion is high-end party wear for women, however, they make their money through clothing for transvestites (their niche).

Perhaps a good place to start is to go around local clothing stores and ask what they do with their ex-stock? If you can pick up stuff for a few quid each, make a small mark-up and sell it [still dirt cheap] online.

pelirocco

Knowing from where you are going to sell , is probably the most important question at the moment