I would like to open my own clothing boutique.?

Question

I don't know where to start, does anyone have any advice?

Answer 1

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Start Your Own Clothing Store (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Up) by Entrepreneur Press
* Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business by Jim Dion, Ted Topping
* Retail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segel
* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder
* So You Want To Own The Store: Secrets to Running a Successful Retail Operation by Mort Brown

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

Whether you are opening a clothing boutique or any other type of business, if this is your first time, here are some fundamental steps you need to take:
1. If you are not familiar with the things that are done in a clothing store my advice would be to go and work in one, a smaller and successful one, for at least six months, and pay attention to all the things they do on a day-to-day basis. Try to get involved with as many of the tasks as possible.

2. Normally, one of the first things you need to do while starting up any business is write a business plan. I would recommend that you get advice from a small business counselor before you do anything especially spend money. I'd call the local office of SCORE and make an appointment to see a counselor who has a clothing or apparel background or as close to that as possible. (go to http://www.score.org and input your zipcode to find the chapter nearest you), the advice is FREE.

3. The business plan will force you to dig out all of the start up details and the costs of starting a clothing boutique and force you to also understand all of the aspects of this business above what you learnt from working at one, including the customers you'll concentrate on (your market ) and how you'll go after them.

Try this link :
http://www.ychange.com/small-business-co...
and read some of the articles especially the ones about a business plan and starting a business and getting a loan.

Being in business for yourself will be very rewarding and at the same time very challenging. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Start a little smaller, like trunk sales or a booth at an expo/fair kinda thing. Like, if you're selling accessories as well as clothes, the booth could have mainly accessories, a few items of clothing, and you could offer coupons or something if your boutique is about to open.

If your stuff sells well on a more temporary basis, then check with your local government office for info on taxes, licensing, codes, etc. Then, you can start scouting for locations and fixtures and stuff for your boutique (you need to know how much your fixed costs like taxes and licensing will cost so you know how much rent/mortgage you can afford. Like, if you bought a place that had store space but living space above it, maybe it would make sense to buy it, if you could get the financing. But you'll probably have to rent, at least for a while.)

I know some people who've made a go of it, though I've never specifically asked them how they did it. You may want to work at one for a while to learn the ins and outs of it, like an apprenticeship.

And save some money. There are sooooo many costs involved...you need some dough to get you through the lean times or to pay for unforeseen expenses.

Answer 4

You could start up your business online only at first. That way you could test the waters before you purchase a building or pay rent. Just a suggestion. :)