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