PROGRESS THREAD (James F) Startup #3 - FEND Streetwear Clothing

[Eskil]

Very good job man. Speed+ for the dedicated progress you have made...

P.S. I really like the idea of including the little signed card encouraging people to send in a pic of themselves. Nice touch!

 

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[1step]

Have you read Tim Ferriss' article on Kickstarter? Probably so, but if not it may help you if you launch another campaign. Good Luck

Hacking Kickstarter: How to Raise $100,000 in 10 Days (Includes Successful Templates, E-mails, etc.)

 

[JMitchell]

What's the volume of your sales?

 

[James Fake]

@eskil - thank you!
@1step - thanks... will def take some time and read that.
@jmitchell - just launched today so we shall see...

 

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[James Fake]

February 21, 2013 Update -
Launched today and did some pubbing on my Instagram.. here's a post I did last night on it.

 

[James Fake]

Some product pictures and also a contest that I ran today on Instagram:
View attachment 4685
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View attachment 4688

 

[JMitchell]

Keep us posted. I want to hear about $! Good luck.

 

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[James Fake]

@jmitchell - thanks!

 

[James Fake]

I decided I am not going to do another Kickstarter. After the fees and making/buying/sending the rewards; I would end up with 50% of the funded amount. With the funding at $1,000 and all the time it takes to prep, market, etc. etc. And if I am successful; I am not sure if $500 is worth all the trouble. For instance; I can take the same amount of time and market FEND directly to my target market and bring in $500 or more AND build the brand. I just think I have bigger fish to chase with much much better ROI.

Besides; I sold Freelancify and got some other extra income that I think I have 'kick starting' money for FEND.

One thing I learned again about myself (without even noticing) is that I never quit. Literally; I can fail and fail and fail at different things but I keep trucking on and finding a way to move on. In this case; I didn't have the money at first, needed Kickstarter, failed, found other ways to bring in money, and kept it moving. I hope this double-edged sword of a trait (maybe even some arrogance) eventually leads FEND to my success.

 

[Brander]

For instance; I can take the same amount of time and market FEND directly to my target market and bring in $500 or more AND build the brand. I just think I have bigger fish to chase with much much better ROI.

James, don't let the secret out! Don't you know you have to market "around the bush" to get results?! Going after people who will most likely buy from you is so outdated and non-social!

And your confirmation of doing the right thing: How to Do What You Love

 

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[Stu_Hefner]

I decided I am not going to do another Kickstarter. After the fees and making/buying/sending the rewards; I would end up with 50% of the funded amount. With the funding at $1,000 and all the time it takes to prep, market, etc. etc. And if I am successful; I am not sure if $500 is worth all the trouble. For instance; I can take the same amount of time and market FEND directly to my target market and bring in $500 or more AND build the brand. I just think I have bigger fish to chase with much much better ROI.

Besides; I sold Freelancify and got some other extra income that I think I have 'kick starting' money for FEND.

One thing I learned again about myself (without even noticing) is that I never quit. Literally;I can fail and fail and fail at different things but I keep trucking on and finding a way to move on. In this case; I didn't have the money at first, needed Kickstarter, failed, found other ways to bring in money, and kept it moving. I hope this double-edged sword of a trait (maybe even some arrogance) eventually leads FEND to my success.

 

[drover]

Good luck to you, i hope it works for you i see a lot of work.
but be careful, brands like "Comme Des Garcons" might have some problems with your designs.

 

[James Fake]

@brander - lol.. thanks
@stu - nice...
@drover - thanks man. I agree; I changed the logo up a bit with a white cross instead of the Xd out eyes a few weeks ago.

 

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[Darius]

How's everything working out for you James? If you're still pushing I might be able to help you out with getting a few hip hop celebrities to wear your hats if you haven't already got some wearing it.

 

[James Fake]

@darius - sure man.. what's your email?

 

[James Fake]

I lost track of this thread and I'm not entirely sure where I've stopped but I posted this project to a Skillshare class that one of the industry leaders was hosting and I think it gives a good insight on what FEND the clothing line is all about. It's currently 3rd in ranking out of 500.

A Staple of Branding: How to Start Your Fashion Company - Skillshare

 

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[ManWithABeard]

good looks on the brand man. Also you're right, everyone and their momma is starting or has started their own clothing line, which is why I had to get out, market is just flooded. Most of my money started coming from designing for other brands, go fig LOL, I even designed some quite a few pieces for a local boutique owner, he sold pretty darn well. I don't do it anymore though.

Also, I've got the camo hat with the red alligator bill, but from another brand that's from my neck of the woods. I'll have to post a pic. One of my favorite hats and I usually get looks whenever I wear it.

You're grindin' man, keep up the good work. Also I like that hip hop site you built using Ruby on Rails, sites like that can definitely get the ad money/banner money.

 

[James Fake]

@AMan - thanks for the words! Do you have an email I can reach you at? I'd like to know more about your experiences...

 

[ManWithABeard]

@AMan - thanks for the words! Do you have an email I can reach you at? I'd like to know more about your experiences...

Sure! I'll PM you my e-mail address. sorry for late reply, busy day LOL

 

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[DeletedUser2]

so, how about an update on this?
Z

 

[tafy]

Any updates James?

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Any updates James?

He cannot see or update his post. He's did not renew his INSIDERS sub.

 

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[biophase]

Looks like he changed the name of his clothing line. See his sig.

 

[TJPB]

Looks like he changed the name of his clothing line. See his sig.

Maybe his customers were ofFENDed.

Sorry..couldn't resist An update would be great...he is on the forum still....recently posted in another thread.

 

[James Fake]

@tafy Yes! Lots of updates... I'm real busy with the re-branding and the launching of that. I have almost all my chips in a row now so I'll be working on marketing soon..

 

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[James Fake]

@TJPB LOL! FEND would of been an awesome name to use but it really handicapped designing cause it was so close to FENDI.. more on this later. BTW; I love your brand and the direction you're going with it.

@MJ DeMarco @biophase - Yup; I am still around. I'll check in and browse but haven't had much time to participate lately. I think I fell off from right around when you all launched the INSIDERS subscription... I am not sure what you mean by "cant see or update his post"?

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Woops. I thought this thread was posted on the INSIDE. My mistake.

I am not sure what you mean by "cant see or update his post"?

 

[TJPB]

@TJPB LOL! FEND would of been an awesome name to use but it really handicapped designing cause it was so close to FENDI.. more on this later. BTW; I love your brand and the direction you're going with it.

Yea..I get that.

Thanks for the props

 

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[William Gibson]

This thread is great man, any updates?