ssociety

First off I would like to thank this awesome community of people that come together to help each other reach goals that no one would dream imaginable on there own That said I have a few starting questions so I can make this business endeavor go as smooth as possible without eating up to much $$$$$ all at once!!

I am starting a business with a partner who is the artist. I am helping with all the website, financial, technical, inventory, book keeping etc up front.

Objective:
The goal is to develop a brand of affordable but quality clothing for wide range of groups: Skaters, Snowboarders, hot rodders, punks, Goths, greasers, tattoo artists, or any man or woman who just wants to feel bad ***. Our company will provide the best looking art and design ever seen on this genre of clothing. We will live the lifestyle we sell to by going to shows and meeting people personally. Our company will be a Feeling/Lifestyle Brand.

My Questions are as follows please don't hate me if I have to many

We are having a very nice retail website in development!! We are starting out with tshirts 8 designs to be exact!! We will be venturing off Tshirts once we get some positive cash flow to turn into hoodies, beanies, jackets, belt buckles etc down the road.

For now what the best way to startup without draining limited funds to begin with? We definitively have a niche with what we are selling! Do we start out with minimal inventory and get a feel for the market place or dive in head first?

What quantities should be ordered up front for each design? We are going to market to a wide range of people so we want to use our site in the beginning to draw in some cashflow, while we try to target bigger accounts, retail shops etc.

I am mainly trying to figure out A) Inventory B)Wholesale Pricing C)Good Silkscreener for 8 color processing (295guys)? D) Best quality materials to use for t's E)Ways to avoid making fatal mistakes while starting up!!

I have seen so many companies come from nothing to something starting out of there garage!! Lost, DirtBag, Truth clothing and many many others. I am trying to find the recipe for success!! I know nothing happens overnight and you have to fight a long battle. I am hoping someone here can take the time to either A)point me in the right direction? B)let me know if there are any apparel startup books I should be reading C) And tips to make it happen

Sorry for the long winded post here. I am new to this world and am very excited to be apart of this community Thanks for all your help and suggestions in advanced@!!

 

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Greg Hamrick

First off...welcome to the forums. If your worried about inventory, make sure you buy enough to get bulk case pricing. Most companys will lock you into a case buying price if you order a certain amount. That will help you save on all future orders.
And those other companys that you mentioned about going from zero to full blast....not knocking the fact that they are good...but like most everyone else, they were in the right spot at the right time. It surely didn't happen overnight. Your going to be in for some setbacks and backbreaking, mindnumbing long hours.
But you sound like you have the spirit for it. So...don't worry...that will come later. Right now you should just be thinking about starting, not thinking of the what-ifs. Perseverance and the willingness to take a chance will win the prize.
Good luck in your endeavor.




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Solmu

One thing to consider would be to get a relatively small amount printed up at final quality, get a bunch of support materials printed up (catalogues, line sheets, business cards, etc.) and hammering retail stores to stock your stuff. Get a bunch of purchase orders, then print and deliver.

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TahoeTomahawk

Another option would be print on demand. That way you don't burn any limited fuds stocking inventory before you know if the designs will sell.

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COEDS

Welcome to the forums. I would start out slow. I would print on demand and build from there, IMHO

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Rodney

Quote: Do we start out with minimal inventory and get a feel for the market place or dive in head first?

Like you said, there are several companies that started out small and made it big. So it's definitely possible to start with a minimal inventory and work your way up as the demand requires.

Money not spent on inventory can be shifted to the advertising budget to make sure that initial inventory gets sold.

Quote: I am hoping someone here can take the time to either A)point me in the right direction? B)let me know if there are any apparel startup books I should be reading C)

If you search around the forums for the topics you are interested in, it will help you get some good information and tips on inventory, wholesalers, startup info, etc.

It may take a bit of research, but the answers are out there

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