Think Small to Make Big! By Martin Huckle
25-04-2007
Get out your phone book, and get your walking shoes on, and make a list of the boutiques in your area that sell clothes or accessories similar to what you’ve created in terms of style and price range. In some instances, the buyer may also be the boutiques owner, so dress professionally, but remember not to upstage your sample designs.
In some cases you may have had a result already and an appointment with an owner manager boutique has been confirmed…BE ON TIME for your appointment (this is a very common mistake) you want people to wear your design, not the design of the person who has taken your time slot, due to your tardiness.
Once you have used your honed sales patter, try to act professionally should your prospective buyer place an order. At this stage, jumping up and down and shouting ‘eureka’ may give a slightly desperate impression! You have to negotiate your selling terms remember and some boutiques may offer a 50% payment of the order at the time the order was placed. However many will want some kind of delay in payment terms – the high street retails nearly all work on 30 days payment periods.
Some boutiques will agree to pay for the full order at the time of delivery and for many of the designers out there today this is the best way forward. Remember however to get the delivery note signed off and include terms whereby they have quality controlled the garments before accepting the delivery.
If you are fortunate enough to be paid 50% of the order value at the time the order was placed remember to use the money wisely to enhance your business. Nightclubs don’t exchange your money for fashion contracts, just alcohol I’m afraid!
You should also take note of the golden rule at this stage, and don’t bite off more than you can chew when offering to supply and also when negotiating delivery dates. You may want the big retailers that are out there today but you are now starting off and mistakes are inevitable. From little acorns…..
What if the prospective buyer says no to your design?
Trot on! Don’t forget, you’re only a corner away from the next fashion outlet, which may be more suited to your design. Don’t lose heart, remember what you have achieved to get this far!
When you work for yourself you are a one man band, a master of all trades not just the Jack of all Trades. Everyone makes mistakes but you have to have the ability to learn from them and not repeat them. You can do this…and you have to start somewhere.
