Ask and You Shall Receive
I'm finding that in business people tell you what they want. In order to get what you want, sometimes all you have to do is ask. Especially in times like these most people are eager for your business. Therefore learning the art of negotiation is essential. First and foremost though you have to know what you want. I'll...
Spread the Word about the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act
In August the Consumer Poduct Safety Commission (CPSC) passed the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act which has caused quite a bit of commotion is some circles. Initially the legislation appears to simply strengthen the safety regulations for children's products in reaction to the many recent toy recalls. That is only part of what the law does. I...
What Sells During an Economic Downturn
Infomat recently published a very good article, What Sells During an Economic Downturn, from which I borrowed the title for this post. It was nice to read an article about what is selling rather than how much is not selling. The author Jason Campbell, points out that people are slowly awakening. There has been more of a focus...
Contractor Sourcing
I consider yesterday my first official step into the world of manufacturing. It was far less intimidating than I had imagined. I found the contractor through my best information source, the Fashion-Incubator Forum. There are other methods to find contractors including the American Apparel Producers' Network and ThomasNet among others. Amazingly enough, this company is actually located...
Manufacturing Worries
I am now ready to start shopping my designs around to manufacturers. All of a sudden an evil little voice in my head sounded and began to evoke worries that my ideas may not be safe. What if someone decides that yes, my ideas are great but decides to make them without involving me?? I know this...
What’s Your Story??
I have been reading or more truthfully, listening to Seth Godin's book All Marketer's are Liars. Seth Godin is the author of the best selling marketing books over the past decade. Let me clear the air, he doesn't actually believe that all marketer's are liars. The title, I think is mainly to attract attention and stir up...
Determining a Price Point
I am now in the process of designing and costing my first collection. Originally, I had wanted to offer an upper moderate priced collection of women's clothing using natural fabrics. Well, I have found the numbers just don't make sense. I started to question my desire to use fine fabrics such as silk and linen and...
Fabric Sourcing Trip Report
I am back from my fabric sourcing trip to NYC which I must say was very successful. Though, I do wish I had more time as I was only there for a day a half (business time). I was able to make some great connections and will soon be placing my first sample orders! Following,...
Fabric Sourcing in NYC
Warning...this post is more industry specific than I've been recently so if you are not interested in fabrics this is probably not your cup of tea. At the end of this week I am going to NYC to round out my fabric sourcing venture. I am completely psyched and have done some legwork prior to...
Ethical Thoughts…
It's a pretty well known fact that your brand needs to stand for more than just your product these days. One of the best avenues to communicate your brand's core values is through a non profit association. In planning the branding concept for my clothing line I had been struggling with which non profit organization...
Companies are taking Social Networking to the Next Level
Many of us are very proud and think we're pretty savvy now that we're on Facebook, MySpace, StartUp Nation, and send out a Tweet or two a day. That's great, but how about creating your very own online community or social network? Companies such as Juicy Couture, St. John, Sears & Kmart, as well as...
Have you heard of Meetup??
Google...what an amazing tool. Not too long ago I entered a google search "South Florida fashion networking" and found this great website called Meetup. It's a site where Meetup groups are organized within various industries, activities, etc. across the U.S. You can search the database for a Meetup group near you and find out when...
If Your Product is Not a Necessity There is Still Hope
A hot topic of conversation as of late has been recession proof products, items that people need instead of want. Well, unfortunately there is a whole world of people selling products that are not necessities, particularly in the apparel and beauty industry. Companies in these industries are reacting to the harsh economic times along with...
To Launch or Not to Launch
I have been working steadily towards launching my clothing line and now that I am at the point where I can really get the ball rolling I am hesitating a bit. The economic climate is such that it is not necessarily conducive to launching a new product. Other SUN bloggers have been saying that buyers...
A Lesson Learned from the Italians
I recently had the opportunity to attend Milano Unica, the premiere textile show in Italy. It is an exhibition of European textile manufacturers and is the unification of five previously separate prestigious Italian textile fairs; Idea Como, Idea Biella, Moda In, Prato Expo and Shirt Avenue. Each show is known specifically for a certain textile,...
As the Wise Man Said…Patience is a Virtue
Over the past few days I feel like the legwork I have done in the past three weeks is coming to fruition. I am putting together a nice compilation of fabric vendors and am wishing I hadn't given my email to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council as my inbox is full of introductions from...
Trend Forecasting…Science or Being Aware??
When I hear the words "trend forecasting" I used to think there were people (trend forecasters) who had a special knowledge and were privy to the inner workings of the world before anyone else. I recently had the opportunity to hear the Fall 09/10 trend forecasts from major forecasting firms in the fashion industry including Promostyl, Doneger Group...
Creating an Identity with Branding
As an entrepreneur you wear many hats, we all know that. It's one of the things that makes being an entrepreneur so exciting. At the same time you are developing your product, you're ensuring everyone is on task, trouble shooting "situations" (otherwise known as problems), hiring contractors etc. etc. In this all encompassing process don't...
Creating Incentive to Spend
Yes, I too am going to add to the many blogs of how to keep people spending in a downturned economy. I recently had the opportunity to listen to a trend forecast by David Wolfe of The Doneger Group, one of the premier trend forecasting and creative service providers in the Fashion Industry. Mr. Wolfe...
Sourcing Details
Sourcing is a major component of a fashion designer's business. A company that consistently works to improve their sourcing tactics will inevitably be more successful than one satisfied with its' sourcing policies and procedures. For those just learning about the business, sourcing is locating and working with manufacturers of finished garments, textiles, and trims such as...