A couple of decades ago opening your own fashion boutique meant raising lots of capital for stock and premises.
This resulted in your new business starting out life in the red, owing money to the bank or to your personal savings.
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However times have changed a lot, especially since the rise of social media. Now, starting a business in the fashion industry is a lot simpler.
The internet has made setting up an online boutique much easier and with a much lower financial commitment. Meaning you can set up online before having a premise of your own.
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If you design and make your own fashion line you are halfway there, but if not it is now effortless to go to a wholesaler direct.
Companies such as The Trader give you access to designers looking to run their stock in boutiques like yours. Of course, purchasing your stock is just the beginning.
Instagram was introduced to users in 2010, but it’s defining year was 2016 where the company decided to strip the platform back to basics. No longer is this just a social media site used to share our favourite lunches. Companies are now using it to promote and market their products. This is one of the best ways of starting your business.
Of course taking a nice photo and putting it through a filter is one thing, but to really help you stand out from the crowd it might be worth getting a little online help.
InDesign classes will improve your ability to create graphic promotions and help maximise your retouching for photography. Helping you stand out from the crowd.
Using other social media platforms will help get your product out there.
Twitter, Snapchat and Facebook take you direct to the consumer and allow you to run competitions or promotions to help share your new venture.
Understanding targeted marketing campaigns will help you to make the best use of these applications. Get out to network events and find out what workshops there are in your area.
Instead of having a shop in the real world you can now have an online shop.
Using platforms like wordpress you can build your own webshop. Either with one of their free templates or, if you want a more bespoke site you can buy templates that work with wordpress, then personalise them.
If you understand code you can really create something unique or you could go to a web designer and work together to make your online boutique really special.
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Essentially all you need to get yourself up and running is enough space to store some stock, a computer and handheld device.
Everything else is there, at your fingertips, so you can start your own incredible new venture without taking out huge loans at the beginning.
Once you have a client base and a few strong testimonials you can then think about taking the next step and setting up a real boutique in your local town.
The internet makes setting up your venture so much simpler than before. Which means you can stop dreaming and start living your dreams.