2legit2quit
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- Dec 9, 2018
- 63
- 62
Hi all,
I have been pouring over the threads on here the past few weeks, and have a few ideas I'm working on. My goal for now, is to make some extra cash, so I've been looking at Amazon FBA in the short term...however...
I am a creative person, and in the meantime of making notes everyday from youtube tutorials, these threads, thinking of many different project ideas, I thought about (yet another idea) - a clothing store via Shopify.
I read @Kase forum, so I am well aware of what to watch out for. I've looked at successful clothing stores from Shopify, aside from a good product, a lot seems to be related to marketing, design of the store, aesthetics of the store (almost over the product, which I'm not saying I agree with, but I observed that to an extent).
I have a specific idea which actually came from thinking about my identity, and people around me, and the lack of easily accessible fashion that relates to that identity.
I did a quick google search, and honestly nothing came up related to the target audience I am thinking of. I also came up with a name immediately and I don't see it trademarked, I have a picture of what the brand could be, and how it could appeal to this particular demographic, even a basic logo as well that all ties it in together and the meaning behind the brand, though the logo is very subtle but has a deep meaning behind it.
I ran the idea by a few friends who seemed to like it. There's a few questions I have:
- if I was to go ahead with this, I think I could do the aesthetics of the store myself as I have a keen eye for design, but, I know that I may need to contact a graphic designer? logo-maker? how would such a person be paid (one-off via upwork or something?)
- I have a couple ideas for the clothing, that is specific, and I haven't seen that design/functionality anywhere. In addition to selling 'regular' clothing, I have an idea for 'regular' clothes with 'special' functionality (lol sorry for the vagueness), but i know that having a manufacturer make something custom like that could be very expensive.
Q: would i be better off launching a store with no specialized items (i.e. just basic tees, tops, etc) targeting that demographic and marketing the 'meaning' so they feel identified with the brand -- see if that works, then, if sales are acceptable, go ahead with that custom clothing design? or do that custom pieces from the outset?
Q: what sort of investment would i need if i was to stick to some basic pieces at the beginning (i'm thinking shirts, polos, hats), and could this be done for a 'reasonable' price via domestic manufacturers (i live in canada). i have 5k for sure i could invest, but i am being careful... i haven't contact any manufacturers yet, because im registering my business as we speak, and i though it may be better if i do it once my business site is up so it seems more 'serious'. i thought i'd ask here in the interim to see if anyone else has done something like this.
- i am hesitant on the dropshipping method but i know a friend who does that with Oberlo, but i feel its a cheap way of doing things. unless i private label clothes from a manufacturer in China and get them to hold the inventory? but that seems too long a wait for customers.
i am a total newbie to this, but i feel passionate about it, but i know passion is not always where the money is. i know 'believing' in an idea doesn't mean anything in business (to an extent)
you can criticise if you need, i am here to learn. thanks.
I have been pouring over the threads on here the past few weeks, and have a few ideas I'm working on. My goal for now, is to make some extra cash, so I've been looking at Amazon FBA in the short term...however...
I am a creative person, and in the meantime of making notes everyday from youtube tutorials, these threads, thinking of many different project ideas, I thought about (yet another idea) - a clothing store via Shopify.
I read @Kase forum, so I am well aware of what to watch out for. I've looked at successful clothing stores from Shopify, aside from a good product, a lot seems to be related to marketing, design of the store, aesthetics of the store (almost over the product, which I'm not saying I agree with, but I observed that to an extent).
I have a specific idea which actually came from thinking about my identity, and people around me, and the lack of easily accessible fashion that relates to that identity.
I did a quick google search, and honestly nothing came up related to the target audience I am thinking of. I also came up with a name immediately and I don't see it trademarked, I have a picture of what the brand could be, and how it could appeal to this particular demographic, even a basic logo as well that all ties it in together and the meaning behind the brand, though the logo is very subtle but has a deep meaning behind it.
I ran the idea by a few friends who seemed to like it. There's a few questions I have:
- if I was to go ahead with this, I think I could do the aesthetics of the store myself as I have a keen eye for design, but, I know that I may need to contact a graphic designer? logo-maker? how would such a person be paid (one-off via upwork or something?)
- I have a couple ideas for the clothing, that is specific, and I haven't seen that design/functionality anywhere. In addition to selling 'regular' clothing, I have an idea for 'regular' clothes with 'special' functionality (lol sorry for the vagueness), but i know that having a manufacturer make something custom like that could be very expensive.
Q: would i be better off launching a store with no specialized items (i.e. just basic tees, tops, etc) targeting that demographic and marketing the 'meaning' so they feel identified with the brand -- see if that works, then, if sales are acceptable, go ahead with that custom clothing design? or do that custom pieces from the outset?
Q: what sort of investment would i need if i was to stick to some basic pieces at the beginning (i'm thinking shirts, polos, hats), and could this be done for a 'reasonable' price via domestic manufacturers (i live in canada). i have 5k for sure i could invest, but i am being careful... i haven't contact any manufacturers yet, because im registering my business as we speak, and i though it may be better if i do it once my business site is up so it seems more 'serious'. i thought i'd ask here in the interim to see if anyone else has done something like this.
- i am hesitant on the dropshipping method but i know a friend who does that with Oberlo, but i feel its a cheap way of doing things. unless i private label clothes from a manufacturer in China and get them to hold the inventory? but that seems too long a wait for customers.
i am a total newbie to this, but i feel passionate about it, but i know passion is not always where the money is. i know 'believing' in an idea doesn't mean anything in business (to an extent)
you can criticise if you need, i am here to learn. thanks.
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