| So you want to break out of the day to day | | | | over or undersized clothing. You should plan to |
| grind and start a business of your own. | | | | bring in several sizes per cut or style of |
| Congratulations! You are taking the first step | | | | clothing.Where will I purchase my merchandise |
| towards a better life. It's important to maintain | | | | from?Before you begin purchasing merchandise |
| financial stability as we all know, but those that | | | | you will want to acquire your small business |
| can do so while doing something they love are | | | | license and wholesale license. These licenses will |
| particularly fortunate and that is a fortune that | | | | open the door to merchandisers that otherwise |
| doesn't just come on a whim but is reached | | | | you would not be able to make purchases from. |
| through perseverance and choice. Knowing what | | | | It is vital that your own purchasing be at the |
| you want is the first choice that leads to bigger | | | | lowest rates possible so that the merchandise in |
| and better things.Many different options for | | | | your clothing store can be kept at a reasonable |
| opening a small business exist, and all of them | | | | price for your customers. Too much mark up in |
| have their pros and cons. Of concern here is the | | | | order to make up for high purchasing prices will |
| opening of a small clothing store or boutique. | | | | keep clothing from selling and be detrimental to |
| There are several concerns that must be | | | | your business.Much of your purchasing can be |
| addressed by someone wanting to open any kind | | | | done from local sources if such exist. You will |
| of boutique, and a clothing store must face these | | | | need to do some research of what exits in your |
| same concerns and then others that are specific | | | | area in order to know what your resources are. |
| to clothing lines and merchandise selection. The | | | | Get on the local manufacturer's mailing lists so you |
| questions that a new clothing store owner must | | | | can know about new lines when they come out |
| answer include the following:What kind of clothing | | | | and be involved in sales and discounts.At least |
| will I carry?What sizes and colors do I need to | | | | quarterly you will want to make large shopping |
| address?Where will I purchase my merchandise | | | | trips where you will purchase most of your |
| from?How will I display my merchandise?How can | | | | inventory for a three month period. These trips |
| I build my customer base and return | | | | will likely require going out of your home area and |
| business?What kind of clothing will I carry?Once | | | | attending a show or a market in a major city. |
| you know that you want to open a clothing store | | | | Such shows run at various times of the year and |
| you will need to define what type of clothing you | | | | in a few places, such as Los Angeles, there are |
| want to carry and what audience you are wanting | | | | markets that are open for purchasing year round. |
| to appeal to. The requirements for a shop | | | | Remember to budget the cost for getting to one |
| catering to the exercise clothing needs of women | | | | of these events in your financial plan, and make |
| from the ages of 20 to 40 are going to be very | | | | the most of your trip. Take time to look at |
| different from the needs of a outdoor apparel | | | | everything you can and to compare and contrast |
| shop for men interesting in hunting and | | | | merchandise and pricing. Many sales |
| backpacking. In order to best meet the needs of | | | | representatives will try to get you to place orders |
| your specific audience you will need to do some | | | | on the spot. Stand firm and be the one driving |
| research for what clothing items appeals to those | | | | the deals. Manufacturers want your business, but |
| needs. We'll take the example of exercise clothing | | | | you decide what will be purchased and when you |
| for women. The following clothing pieces, at | | | | will purchase it.How can I build my customer base |
| minimum, would need to be included in the | | | | and return business?Building a customer base is |
| business plan:Sports brasSports shirtsTank | | | | one of the hardest thing that any clothing store |
| topsSports shortsSports pantsAthletic | | | | or boutique faces, especially in the early days of |
| shoesHeadbands and wristbandsWhat sizes and | | | | the business. Be confident that you will succeed |
| colors do I need to address?Having narrowed | | | | and make sure that you, and your employees, |
| down the type of clothing you need you will then | | | | are friendly and knowledgeable. This will help to |
| want to consider what kinds of styles, fabrics and | | | | make your customers feel confident in their |
| colors that you wish to carry. Write all of these | | | | purchasing experience and in your store. When |
| down in your business plan. At first you will want | | | | you first open throw a grand opening party and |
| to keep this scope narrow as your finances will | | | | advertise with a small space in local papers and |
| not be able to cover every color and style that is | | | | fliers. Have those that attend write their name |
| possible. Your lines will be able to expand as your | | | | and contact information on slips of paper for a |
| shop grows in size and revenue. Most shops that | | | | raffle and use these to create a mailing list. Keep |
| do well can expect approximately a 15% increase | | | | the mailing list active and invite any new customer |
| per year for at least the first five years and that | | | | to sign up with you. Those that have such lists |
| will open up many possibilities for expansion as | | | | find that about 20% of their mailing list generates |
| you go. When making purchases many | | | | nearly 80% of their business, impressive numbers |
| manufacturers will push for you to purchase at | | | | and a good impetus to grow that list as much as |
| least four pieces per size and per color. Four | | | | possible. Most importantly remember that word of |
| pieces is fairly reasonable as long as you keep the | | | | mouth is your strongest advertising. For every |
| number of colors and sizes in check. If you are | | | | customer that has a good experience two or |
| pressured to purchase six do not do so as it will | | | | three more will be directed to your shop. On the |
| be far more merchandise than you can turn over | | | | other hand each customer that has a bad |
| swiftly.As far as sizes are concerned most sizing | | | | experience will drive away just as much business. |
| for tops runs in Petite to Extra Large, and pants | | | | The power to bring people in and to help your |
| from size 0-14. If you need to acquire sizes that | | | | business expand is in your hands.For More |
| are outside of these typical ranges you will have | | | | Information on Opening a boutique Please visit us |
| to meet with manufacturers that specialize in | | | | at:Open-a-boutique. |