How To Properly...
Start a Clothing Line
How do I Start a Clothing Line?
Step 1. You will need financial backing. Starting a clothing line is a business venture that you require money for the development of and for its future growth with all the business expenses that come with it.
Do you need a loan to get started? There are many places to get a loan, for a small business venture, especially if you are willing to start small and work your way up. A good place to start is your own full service bank. A bank like this has a good foundation for granting small business loans to interested parties. Considering licensing, permits and other fees, you might want to ask for $500 with an option to get more in the future. You can also check with the local Small Business Development Center.
One of the first expenses that come with starting a business are getting a business license from the circuit court clerk in your town. A business license could cost you $100. This will be necessary whether you have your own shop, an online store or sell your product to other business owners for resale.
Step 2. Hiring employees to create your clothing line or work for you in any way requires a Federal Employer Identification Number, also called and EIN. You can apply for an EIN on the web through the IRS and their IRS Form SS-4.
Step 3. Renaming your business different than your name requires registration of this name. If you want to list your business under a fictitious name, you will have to file with your county government. There are services that will file for you for a minimal charge. Information about licensing, acquiring permits or renaming issues can be gotten from the local Small Business Development Center nearest you.
Step 4. A state occupational license is required if you include medical or cosmetology (as well as other things not listed) within your venture. Once more the Small Business Development Center can discuss with you if you are in need of this license.
Step 5. Get a seller's permit. The state board of equalization in your state will expect you to purchase a seller's permit to resell wholesale merchandise in your store. If you open a whole store to promote your private designer label, you will probably include wares from other sources. This will cause the need for the seller's permit. Even if you start with only your products, it might be nice to have taken this extra step, if you change your mind, and want to add some more merchandise.
Step 6. Organizing your designs for manufacture. Designing your line could be the easy part. How do you get them manufactured? Select the designs and fabrics you will need for your ideas. You will need to present your sketches and fabrics to a manufacturer, a seamstress or perhaps a screen printer. Be certain to identify which fabrics go with which designs, and what each completed design is expected to look like.
Step 7. Checking out the progress of your product. Keep in touch with your manufacturer and be certain that the items are being completed within a reasonable length of time. As your items near completion you can start taking orders, if you are opening your own shop.
Step 8. Delivering your finished product to the buyer(s). If you are product to store's and boutiques other than your own, you can take samples of your finished product to the owner or person responsible for purchasing stock and try to get them to sell it in their store.
