5 things to do to start your clothing business

One of the first steps on how to start and grow your business, is being able to work out what applies to your own business and the relevant Business Performance Strategies​. During the pandemic, we have seen the fastest growth of online businesses, including clothing. Launching and just recently one of the darlings of the online platform and money makers of the pandemic period - Made.Com go into administration. Though not a clothing business, it tells you how you can be here today and gone tomorrow in business.
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Like many successful clothing businesses, such as M&S and ASOS, they started from humble beginning. You don’t need a degree or training in the clothing industry to get started. A natural eye for style and putting an outfit together is sufficient. Just add business acumen, tenacity and discipline to that and you could well be on your way to success. Our brief 5 step guide on starting a successful clothing line in the UK with as little as £5,000. We can help you raise any amount of finance, just click here to get going help to raise finance .

1. Choose clothing line ideas

​The first step could be; what clothing line interests you and which to go for. Such as; trendy, comfortable or work. Formal or informal. Focus on a niche market and don’t spread yourself too thin.
 
This will take you to deciding on where your supplies will come from and your business plan and model. Such as;

Made-to-order, garment adaption and alteration

You don’t have to make clothes from scratch. You can buy ‘blanks’, such as t-shirts, and transform them via additions, such as beads, embroidery, funky patchwork or printing. The start up costs are modest and requires very little start up time. This option is suitable for market stall clothes, boutiques and cost-effective retail stores.

Customised wholesale

You could source a supplier. If you are new to the industry, you may choose to go with the supplier’s clothing without customising them on the onset until you have gained enough experience and confidence in customising the garments with your branded labels, printing, embroidery, different edging, etc. The cost is higher. However, you would expect to earn a greater profit. This is suitable for a uniform supplier and cost-effective retail stores.

Full-blown design

This is for the creative mind and can be an extension to the above or you may start off as the designer, researcher, sourcing director and the manufacturer. The latter could be outsourced fully or partially. This option requires more capital and time investment and in theory should deliver more significant profits. You will have greater quality control, turnaround time management and more importantly, full ownership. As you plan on how to grow your business, you should be setting effective business expansion strategies. 

Defining your clothing line

Your business model will inform your decision on choice of clothing category such as:

• Evening wear
• Children’s clothing
• Casual everyday wear
• Fitness wear etc

​It’s best you choose a style you’re passionate about. This is always a win-win from the off-set and will give you the drive especially when you experience a few obstacles along the way.

Create a story that will resonate with your customers, keep you focused on aligning your products with your niche market and woo your customers on your website. With constancy your brand will also be known for its story which adds value by helping people with their wellbeing, community, the under-privileged, the planet etc.

Naming your clothing line

​Keep it simple and ensure it aligns with your business. Brainstorm with family and friends and include it in a questionnaire. Look at existing brand names and remember the name will be used on logos, email addresses etc. Test the name in different scenarios.

Check if the brand name is available as a domain as well as on Companies House register. Then buy the domain and register the name with Companies House as soon as possible.
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2. Your clothing line business plan

Contrary to belief, a clothing line also needs a well put together business plan to succeed. A Business Advisor who you should be talking to already can advise on this. At RBSS Consulting Ltd, our professional and friendly team who each have more than 10 years of experience in different areas of the business industry would also ensure your business keeps within the relevant industry regulations, evaluate your business periodically to advice on business improvement strategies to stay above competition.

3. Materials and manufacturing your clothing line

​It is advisable to attend clothing trade fairs and exhibitions to find the right manufacturers, suppliers and finishing companies which shouldn’t be left to the last minute. Look both locally and internationally. If you choose international manufacturing, you will need to add on logistics, costings and timing considerations etc. Yes you can do an online search, but still do your due diligence very well afterwards

4. Marketing your clothing line

Now to getting your business brand out there via the following media:

Website

Sparked off by the coronavirus pandemic, this platform has become even more popular! Hire a good website builder, especially if you haven’t got the skill or time and are considering e-commerce. Your website needs to be SEO (Search Engine Optimization) optimised to be able to be found in organic search. You will probably have to also include paid online tools, such as PPC (pay per click), adverts etc to get the business started and reduce the cost as it starts to strive.

Don’t underestimate the cost of online marketing at all. Yes you don’t have a brick and mortar shop to pay rent and rates for therefore sustained online visibility therefore becomes your main expense and it is not cheap.

Social media

Social media is excellent for any business especially for initial exposure. When used correctly, it can amplify your message faster than any marketing method contrary to some business owners who see it as time consuming. Feel free to outsource it to a professional initially to free you up for other aspects of the business, but please remain involved in knowing what they are doing. Don’t keep them at arms length.
 
Test the different platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, etc. See which one delivers the best engagement and final outcome which is sales. 

Trade shows

This is a good place to exhibit and get to know the industry and suppliers. The UK hosts a massive and popular fashion trade fair called Moda, in Birmingham bi-annually. Fashion United is a handy calendar to keep yourself updated with the UK’s fashion-related events.

5. It’s time to sell your clothing line!

​Time to sell! Whether it’s via e-commerce, bricks-and-mortar or in a market, you will need a merchant account to process incoming and outgoing payments via card payments. If this isn’t your strong point, you may want to go on a short course for accounts and bookkeeping or outsource it especially when completing your end of the year business assessment.

E-commerce

E-commerce is a great way to start a business as it is low cost without the physical shop bills, staff, maintenance etc. It gives you greater control from start to finish. However, its low cost to start but not low cost to maintain. Having a website is like a needle in a haystack. You have to pay to be visible in the long run.

Market kiosk

Trading your clothing line at a local market is a good channel for testing your products initially and getting honest and direct feedback from customers. This could possibly cost approximately £20 to £100 per day depending on the location. Markets shouldn’t be scoffed at, at all! Many successful and popular brands started out in a market, combined with e-commerce and eventually built up to a sizeable successful business.
 
If you are contemplating setting up your own clothing business or already have and would like to diversify, expand or want advice,  feel free to book an appointment here.