Where should I start off in the fashion career to work up to my own clothing boutique?
I want to eventually set up my own buisness and boutique selling fashion. I have very good grades (all A*) and a gold duke of edimburgh award. Should I go to uni or would it be a waste of 40,000 pounds? If I get a job straight away where abouts should I start in the field?
-Business and Resale Licenses, and business insurance
–Business cards and any marketing collateral you choose
–Location, lease agreement, utilities, etc.
–Store signage
–Product to sell
–Racks, hangers, and other display hardware
–Cash registers & paraphernalia
–Sales counters
–Dressing rooms
–Shopping bags
–Telephones
–Credit card merchant status (check with your bank for info)
–Business checking account
* Starting a Buzz
“I love your dress! Where did you get it?” There’s no better feeling than the pride that comes from responding, “I designed it myself.” When you look at the steady decline of boutique clothing shops–and their replacement by megamalls all selling exactly the same merchandise–it’s no wonder shoppers get excited about apparel that’s unique. In the likelihood that they’re not designers or skilled seamstresses themselves, they represent a built-in market for someone who wants to launch her own clothing line. It all begins with the simple phrase, “If you’re interested, I could make something similar for you.”
* Becoming Official
Unless you have a lot of capital to work with, or already own or lease building space, you’re probably going to be better off working from home at first. Suffice it to say, even the informality of crafting fashions at a sewing machine set up in a spare room of your house isn’t going to absolve you of the formalities of getting a business license, establishing a business identity, and paying taxes on the income you derive from your labors. The website of the Small Business Administration is an excellent place to do your homework and determine what you need to do to become an official entity
* Supply and Demand
Before you put out your shingle as a clothing designer, you need to ask yourself: (1) how much time you can realistically spend on this enterprise; and (2) who will be excited enough about it for you to keep up a steady income stream. Crocheting scarves, for example, is going to take a lot less time than
* Maintaining Your Inventory
If you have a brick-and-mortar store, people are going to expect to come in and see racks and racks of fashions in different sizes that they can try on. Maintaining an actual shop, of course, means that you’re also going to be paying rent and utilities, carrying a high amount of insurance, and probably also having to hire extra help if you ever want a day off. If, however
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