2007
Procrastinating by Identifying others strengths as your weakness
Posted by: Fashion06 in Starting your own line |
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This article is not directly related to starting a clothing line, but definitely very important as far as the process of starting and running any successful business.
Starting a clothing line or a business for this matter can be one of the most rewarding things you may ever do in your LIFE, but with success comes uncertainty, stress, chances of failure, and a lot of naysayers…so having a negative mind set on top of all that is not the way to go.
Procrastinating-is the deferment of putting off a task or an action usually by focusing on some other distraction. Yeah we all do it from time to time, but doing it too much can cause you to never take the jump from your 9-5 to a full fledged entrepreneur. Don’t get me wrong it can be a very scary stage in your life with plenty of uncertainty, but its either take the plunge or sit back years later and wonder what if? Most will choose the latter and never do it because they are too busy looking at what others have and contributing it to the reason for their lack of success as if you can’t be successful without it or work your way up or around.
How many times have you heard people say things like:
- This guy had ‘x’ amount of money when he started (In our case>) his clothing line and I don’t have that much so that’s why I haven’t started my clothing brand yet.
- I don’t have any degree or education in fashion design so that’s why I haven’t started my clothing line.
- I don’t live in a fashionable city like New York City or LA that’s why I haven’t started my clothing business. I live in South Carolina enough said
. - There is too much competition….well duh! If there wasn’t any competition there wouldn’t be a market for the product and no money to be made to build a sustainable business.
- I don’t know how to sew. Don’t get me wrong knowing how to sew could help you out when working with clothing manufacturers, but it is definitely not anything that you must know!
- I want to start a clothing line, but don’t know how. Do you think Michael Jordan new how to play basketball when he first started?…Did Bill Gates know how to build windows at first?…Did Fred know anything about building a website or blog before www.dobizo.com? ;)….NO!, but they learned and so can you. All you have to do is apply yourself…the information is definitely out there. Lots of it is here.
- My family/friends say I should wait until I have more money, graduate, intern, or whatever. No matter what those naysayers say it all boils down to what you want and need at the end of the day you have to live with yourself not them. Most people will tell you not to start a business and its probably because they don’t have what it takes and are more secure with a 9-5, but guess what you do have what it takes if you want it enough.
All these reasons above are just you setting yourself up for failure by psyching yourself into thinking you are going to fail before you start. Making a planned decision is one thing, but thinking of every reason of why you shouldn’t is another and most likely after doing that you want, but you will later regret it. Every decision you make may not be the right decision, but you want regret it because YOU made it and learned from it and moved on.
So what’s keeping you from starting your clothing line today?
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May 10th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
please read this and take all this advise and use it!!!!
i can tell you from experience don’t listen to all the put downs and skeptics, follow your dreams.
my own mother pumped my head up with so much negativity i wound up investing my ONLY start up capital into something else which totally flopped (thanks mom..). but just do you and fuck everyone bringin you negativity. im still working on my clothing line and i will NEVER quiet. this industry is not for the faint of heart
May 11th, 2007 at 7:33 am
Hello people let me start off by saying that if this business was easy everyone would be doing it. To run a business you don’t need to know everything about that business but in turn you must educate yourself as the years pass by. The only thing you really need is dedication and persistance everything thing else just falls into place. I had no idea how to start a clothing company, but i did my research i spent countless hours on the net ( on my sidekick I didnt have a computer at the time) researching educating myself about this business. Im not trying to say that I know everything but I do know a whole lot more than when i started. And dont think that everything happens overnight this is a long process it takes years to develop a succesful clothing line. But it pays off in the end. My dad is a successful business man and he by no means knows everything about his business ( someone always knows a little more thats why it is important to share information ) bottom line if this is something you want go for it fuck the haters and all that negativity because when you make it everyone is going to want to job on board. And my personal motto is I give you one oppotunity to join my team if you mess that up have a great life cuz alot of people dont want to put in the work they just want to shine
May 11th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT
My advice from experience…
First, I do with Agree with Tony. If you want to be ahead of the game, take some time to learn. I have my own line that I started recently, September 2006 to be exact. Before that, straight out of college I was recruited to work as an intern for skater/surf clothing company(minimum wage), then became part time and later pick up a full time graphic designer/production artist for vintage sport company. Now, 2 1/2 years in the fashion industry. Anyways, I started conceptualizing my line back in 2002(Sophmore year in College) and finally launched in 2006… basically 4 years to fully understand ways of putting together concept boards, production & development, business structure, etc. Trust me, I’m in it for the long term and not “Overnight Hit”. My success is pretty good so far and the funny thing is… until this day, my dad still don’t believe in me. He wants me to back into the industry working for people. I don’t blame him, I was young but was making close to 60k a year(fresh out of college) and I’m risking it all. I prolly make 70-80k by now. LET ME SAY THIS… For those who want to start because you want cash, women, fame… you’re in it for the wrong reason. I had this dream since 1997 and now I’m doing it.
Advice: 1. Do not Rush in the process-half ass job is for fools 2.Build a strong concept-the man/woman with the strongest idea wins 3.Build a business plan-not necessary out for a loan but for you to understand the complete structure of your own business 4.Learn to sacrifice-sleepless nights, eating cup-o-noodles, not going out with the boys/girls 5.PLEASE DO NOT BE BIG-HEADED JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE CEO/PRESIDENT/FOUNDER, OR WHATEVER!!! ITS JUST A TITLE!!! As far as I’m concern, I’m just a designer trying to make it. I made my previous company $5 million & sold over 800,000 units in 6 delieveries. I still don’t think I’m the sh*t. I’m just more confident.
Dont need to know it all but at least enough to be confident. But then again, the $5 million was because it was already an established company. I just helped them get there.
See ya at Magic in August 2007!!!
May 17th, 2007 at 1:37 am
Tejay, good stuff……. what’s the name of your line, brother? Briefly describe your company and audience……Thanx….
May 17th, 2007 at 10:27 am
As with any business startup, you have nay-sayers that will discourage you. Just do it! You won’t regret it, even if it fails, you’ll find that you just want to do it again.