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Jerome Yuan is Director of Operations over at ASAP Show and decided to be part of the Global Fashion Network. I’ve been speaking back and forth with him about a mutually beneficial relationship between Dobizo and the ASAP show that will of course be helpful to many of our members.

Hopefully everything goes as planned. In the meantime visit the ASAP Show or add him as a contact on the Fashion Network.

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I was reading through the user blogs on Global Fashion Network and came across a short sensible post, but something that many of us can relate to if you’re actively trying to start or currently run a clothing business.

Pierre Lavie wrote: (He posted the blog article 3 times so I think he had reached his breaking point)

We are all here with the same goals of running our own fashion empire ..but how does anyone do it seems like the money isn’t coming in quick enough to do anything or how can u take off of work to go to these trade shows and what not. I have a regular 9-5 so how is anyone doing it??

If you would like to read some of the user responses go to the article.

I personally can relate to Pierre, because when I first started out I was going to college full time, had a full time job and trying to start a clothing line and not to mention I had a significant other, (A whole other subject in itself) but to say time was tight would be an understatement nevertheless I made it happen with due time of course.

I’ve been working on filling sponsorship positions for the Dobizo Network and have been talking to some big name company’s from colleges, magazines, manufacturers and much much more.

One thing that has bothered me is the fact that many of our readers want to obtain the four premium advertising positions, but don’t have the budget or is just not affordable for their operation at the time and some potential sponsors face the same…I want to make everyone happy.

I spoke with some magazines about filling their sponsorship positions and still making their readers happy and that is what the classifieds section is used for. I thought it would be a good idea to offer a cheaper alternative for the smaller up and coming brands to get some exposure for their fashion industry related company.

The classifieds page will be a single page with logo based ads for each company…resembling a classifieds page in a magazine or newspaper.

I feel like I’m starting over again with the re-launch of my clothing line. I’ve been so busy working on Dobizo the feeling of getting back into my clothing company Scout Union Apparel has been rather tiresome.

I’m starting to get the feel back with some of the design programs mostly Illustrator and Photoshop. I want to work a little bit with some of the CAD programs to get a better feel of the systems, but I will leave that to the professionals for now until I have more time to put effort into it.

I tell you one thing it feels great to have a much better understanding of how the business works and I have met so many great contacts since starting this website and as it continues to grow my outlet for suppliers, designers, and contacts continue to expand.

Well Threaded is one of the better job search sites I’ve seen dedicated to the fashion industry…correct me if any other good ones exist. I’ve been thinking of launching a Dobizo Job board as part of the fashion network what do you guys think?

Well Threaded let’s users sign up 100% free post resumes and search for jobs from top companies within the fashion industry including Levi’s, Chip & Pepper, Seven For All Mankind, New Era and many more.

There is also a small news blog that gives trend updates and showcase up and coming brands, but hasn’t been updated since October 2007. Other than that Well Threaded seems to be a well thought out and beautifully designed website that caters toward job hunters in the fashion industry.

Make sure and visit Well Threaded for your apparel industry job hunt.

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This is another question/answer session between Billy Kapler of Kapler and Associates and one of our readers. Also a follow up to the Henry Bendel article.

For privacy I will edit the readers name.

Nicky asks:

I have just finished my prototyping of my camisole line (2 designs). I plan on going to the Henri Bendel open-see and wonder what I will need to go, besides the prototypes.

Here are my main questions for you, for when we chat:

1. Do I need a business license in place. I am having a difficult time coming up with a Brand name. (Although I do have a catchy product name)

Billy’s Answer:

Usually there is a “line sheet” which is thumbnail sketches to the styles, sizes they come in, price, delivery, colors so they buyer has something to remind them of what they saw or what they selected. Of course your contact information is on the line sheet too.

This is an email conversation between a reader of Dobizo and one of our writers Billy Kapler of Kapler and Associates you can reach him at billy@kand.com.

I’m going to Bendel on Mon, trying to do sell sheet, questions about minimums and delivery dates. My manufacturer will do 250-300 mini per style. Would I have to make Bendel buy that many, or do I produce the 300 and let Bendel buy what they want.

A store typically tests styles to see how the consumer reacts and then if sales are really good (20% of what they buy they sell the first week) they will reorder. (That means if they buy 100 pcs. and sell more than 20 the first week, they most likely will call to order more. Sometimes when they have something really good, they can sell 80 out of 100 in the first week and then they are all over it.)

Dobizo Answers is still open to your questions so don’t forget to forward any questions to Dobizo Answers instead of emailing them so that everyone can learn from questions and possibly answer them if they have an answer.
John Ask’s:

I appreciate all you’re doing for us up and comers here at dobizo.com. I’ve learned so much in the past few weeks! I was wondering if you can answer this question for me. I’m going to be starting a clothing brand soon and will be working alone and plan on mostly selling online and on occasions selling at trade shows, etc. What type of business entity do you think I should form? Also, I’ve heard that after I file my business name, a tax id is given to me by the IRS. Does this mean that I have to automatically start paying taxes? I’d really rather not pay taxes right away until I get my sales rolling. Anyway, thanks again for the website with its wealth of information and I hope to hear your reply soon.

I know that statistics say the top reasons for startup failures is knowledgeable business planning, and capital, but I believe in the fashion industry retailers play a big part of the failure rate. If you think about the above statement it kind of contradicts itself because if your being suckered by retailers then most likely they noticed your lack of knowledge or you didn’t take the necessary time to research the company’s you’re working with (planning), but that’s not always the case.

I found out from talking to many designer entrepreneurs that we all face the same similar problems from retailers just plain wasting your time or stiffing you on the payment. Don from Eklectik and I spoke on this matter in our meeting the other day and how he is still owed over $300,000 from stores that have failed to pay.

I think every up and coming brands should take steps to avoid as many losses as possible especially on the financial or inventory side of the playing field, because your operating on such a small level and budget any significant loss can put you out of business.

I had a meeting yesterday with the founder of Eklectik Genes Don Mahmood an active member on the Dobizo Network and he invited me over to speak with him on the fashion industry, the trade show concept, and what it’s like being in the fashion industry.

Let’s just say the guy knows his stuff. I plan on working with him directly to get a lot of new things going on with Dobizo and his clothing line in the near future after seeing that his mind is in the same place as mine and that’s helping the underdog succeed. He’s very passionate about helping many of our users get overseas, attend trade shows, and work with manufacturers without seeing your company get jerked and hopefully avoid some of the mistakes that we both made when starting out.

I know how scary the thought of cold calling is, but it is a very effective way to build qualified leads and turn them into future store clients….so don’t ignore it.

As in anything with practice comes perfection that holds the same merit when cold calling is the concern in my opinion. In all reality it boils down to how well you accept rejection or how comfortable you are in meeting new people through nothing more than a phone conversation.

With practice also comes more comfort I can’t explain how nerve wrecking it was when first starting out in the fashion industry meeting new people, networking with successful individuals, and calling upon store owners and wanting them to respect me from the beginning with no prior knowledge of who I am, my business or what I stood for.

Below are a few tips for cold calling prospective clients:

The first question is, do you really know your product cost? Have you factored everything into your cost sheet that needs to be in your cost sheet?

Fabric
Trim

• Linings

• Buttons

• Zippers

• Labels

• Tags

• Tickets

Packaging

• Hangers

• Bags

• Boxes

Embellishments

• Screen printing

• Embroideries

• Appliqués

Cutting
Sewing
Working Losses
Damages

TOTAL COST

Once you are sure you know your product cost you then need to know your operating costs.

First what are your billing terms? Are you offering a discount off the invoice price for prompt payment? Are your terms “net” meaning no discount? What does the customer have to pay you on your selling price?

Second, what is going to be the cost of sales? What are you going to pay in sales commissions? What are you going to pay in other selling expenses? (Showroom costs, show event costs, sample costs, and travel costs).

If your reading this site than there is a possibility your customers are part of our community of thousands of subscribers, forum and fashion network members. We are the Number 1 source for entrepreneurship in the fashion industry.

If your business operates within the finance, design, manufacturing, or any part of the apparel industry we would like for you to be part of Dobizo Networks sponsor list.

Send an email to fred@dobizo.com for more information on our rates and traffic/member details. (Please include site to be advertised, company name, and brief bio/history of company)

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