starting your clothing store?

Question

i live in anchorage alaska and i'm a plus size chick but there are no plus size clothing stores for the younger generation. I was thinking of trying to open one but do not have a clue how to go about doing so. If any one has any in help in this matter i would have to hear any of it

Answer 1

I say get a sowing machine, get some fabric, and create. Wear them, sell them to friends, then grow it from there.

To start a big store from scratch will cost you thousands, and if it fails you will be hearbroken and broke. This way you grow it from the bottom up.

Prove that you know fashion and that you can dress plus size women in hip fresh young clothing. Once you have some clientelle then grow into a store, with lots of advertising(this part is key, business fails without advertising).

Another thing, use the power of the internet to your advantage. You can make an outfit, put it on, take some pictures(if you need ideas just get them from magazines), and sell it on ebay or your own webstore.

So to round things off, start off small and grow. Good luck!

Answer 2

The first thing you are going to need to determine is if there is enough of a need for this type of business to flourish. If not, you may need to consider catering to all sizes rather than just plus sizes. You will need to find a location, determine where you start-up costs will be coming from (usually a business loan), find your vendors, buy your equipment (displays, racks, cash register, checkout counter, etc.). If you can it would be a good idea to take a class - be it at a local college or online - in entrepreneurship and/or business. Talk to a good tax person and possibly a lawyer about how to protect your assets and determine how you are going to keep your records (are you going to be a sole proprietor, a partner, set up an LLC? Do you need software or are you going to keep your books manually). This is just the tip of the iceberg, too. There is a lot more to it.