i dont want to play devil's advocate, but realistically only maybe 1-2% of users on here will go on to have successful apparel businesses. Some to most might make a buck selling shirts for a while then come to a halt. With that said, what do you feel are the real keys to having a long lasting and successful apparel company?
Patience, Patience, Patience, Don't let any frustrations defeat you, and don't walk out the door just because the clock says its quiting time, thats when its time to make money.
Very well put... persistence pays also having great knowledge of the industry and your competitors and making sure you dont sleep on the power of marketing can take you a far way as well as of course offering high quality products that fit a given market
I think constantly coming up with new stuff is important. I see a lot of promising companies that start with a few great shirts but never add anything after months and months. Or they have a half-built website with "coming soon" all over the place. You've got to keep the ball rolling!
I guess it really depends on what market you are in. If you want to do your own designs and sell them en-mass to retailers or the public you are skinning one animal and if you want to do jobs for other people you are in a completely different market.
I can't speak to the first since I have no artistic talent but I can to the second. You need to get out and do sales or hire a sales person. A good sales person should generate $1 Million a year in gross revenue for t-shirts screen printed. If you are that sales person then you need someone to run the screen press. If you are the press operator, then you need someone to do sales.
There is no other way around making money in this business. You have to pound the pavement.
I'm also a "service provider" like Fred, but I would also like to someday have a retail brand of my own. I think the key for me to keep on going is to LOVE what I do, even if it's for other people.
I think a lot of people start out with a lot of "front-end" energy. The idea has been thought of, "It's gonna be so cool..." We're gonna make X$ in X time.
The key I think, (and something I definitely struggle with) is simple, and applies to most business ideas: Sticking with it, and having the ability to adapt. If something doesn't work, you can quit, or try a new way. If that doesn't work, make a change, and try it again. One thing I always think is what my Mom says, "Anything that comes easy, isn't worth having."
Keep working at your business, until it CLICKS.
People get fixated on details that won't help sales NOW. Do you spend 3 hours making sure your logo is lined up properly on your web site, or do you spend three hours trying to sell shirts?
The website is definitely important, especially if you're relying 100% on web sales. If not, it's often just a sign on the wall, and a place to refer people to.
There's a big difference in being busy, and being productive... Looking organized and being organized.
Oh, and one more thing. I wouldn't get too wrapped up in what Threadless, Johnny Cupcakes, Life is Good, or any of the other "BIG" t-shirt people are doing. Look to them as inspiration, and some business ideas, that's it.
These companies I think worked just as hard as everyone else, and from the outside, it looks like they had a magic formula, and got lucky. These people all have 24 hours in their days too. It's just what they choose to do with these hours.
Sorry for the long post. Don't listen to anything I say. I'm a dork.
People get fixated on details that won't help sales NOW. Do you spend 3 hours making sure your logo is lined up properly on your web site, or do you spend three hours trying to sell shirts?
How very very very true this is. My first business failed, part of that reason was because I kept messing around with unimportant details like how the website looked... making sure it was pretty, rather than knuckling down and working hard to drive traffic to the site, getitng the product up and hussling the product.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kentphoto
Sorry for the long post. Don't listen to anything I say. I'm a dork.
I don't think your a dork, I think you made some very true and apt comments.
I would say that the one thing that has kept me afloat is proper planning. I plan out my cash flow for each upcoming season, with planned sales, planned inventory, and (most importantly I think) cash required for each month. It has kept me from overbuying, kept me on task in regards to making sales goals, and kept me from running out of money to meet payables. Drawing up these plans each season, and thusly being able to reflect on past seasons, keeps me honest with myself about my business can achieve.
Marketing and then providing the product you marketed.
I can't tell you how many businesses I've seen - whether it be t-shirts, gift baskets, designers, etc. - that talk big but produce small. If you say you can do a job than you better be able to do it because the customers that talk the most are the ones that are pissed off - and all it takes is one bad customer to really ruin you reputation.
I'd say keeping the customer happy is high on the list. People think that all T-shirts are the same from all different printers using different methods. The key to keeping the customers you have and to finding new ones, through word of mouth, is the keep them happy! My .02
This is a discussion about what are the keys to longevity on this biz? that was posted in the General T-Shirt Selling Discussion section of the forums.
what are the keys to longevity on this biz? 
Re: what are the keys to longevity on this biz? 
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