Uturn: running a clothing line the wrong way
September 5th, 2008
Ok, so where have I been? I think that maybe I don’t even know. It’s been a very crazy and very stressful couple of months and so I just hid my head in a hole. Everything was going so great at the beginning of the summer. But it got tough in July? Why? Because it’s too freaking hard to do everything. Because I’m not running this business the right way. Because I wanted to believe that I knew how to do it all and could figure it out and it’s really very very hard to get it right.
On the wholesale orders side, if I can get an appointment and get into a boutique, the line sells, no problem. The problem is the first part - the time it takes to be the sales rep. The time it takes to make all the calls and follow-up emails and get to the appointments. It’s a full-time job, which meant that everything else was getting neglected - admin stuff, DESIGNING, PR - ugh I can’t even think of it all right now.
So, the answer is what the answer was when I first started out - delegate and get help - put people who are better than you are in place to help you. I have this in place for the web stuff and the production / manufacturing part - the actual sewing 
I need to get it into place with the sales stuff. We have picked up an east coast rep, but I’ve been too nutty to even give that the attention it needs. We need a sales rep on the west coast. I’m struggling just to manage all the accounts I did go out and create in the last few months, much less get around to getting new ones - which we definitely need.
So, low-and-behold, I don’t have all the answers and in retrospect, I’ve probably given some mis-guided advice on this blog. Or I’m just experiencing growing pains. I’m sick of hearing from everyone that I’m too hard on myself, so I’m going to tell you that this isn’t what this is about. This is about taking a realistic look at the way we’ve been doing things and taking a pro-active stance to change it for the better, for the survival of the business.
I want to be running a business and designing a successful clothing line, instead of being a nut job which does no good for my mental state, my family, or the state of the business. I want to finally be able to put out my first real collection, and to do that means I need to get a lot of stuff more organized and I need some really good people who are experts in their field to wear some of the hats I’ve been wearing.
Which I know can and will happen, now that I have some direction in my head.
Entry Filed under: Motivation to Keep Moving, Planning beyond the collection
3 Comments Add your own
1. RuffleButts | September 6th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I just love reading your posts…as I can SOOOO relate! This whole entrepreneurial thing is truly an emotional roller coaster - up one day and down the next. This past week has been extremely overwhelming for me with our big move, and there have been times when I ask myself what in the heck I am doing.
We are in a very similar boat, except when I did finally go with the sales rep (out in Dallas), we had an absolutely horrible experience. It was more headache than just dealing with it ourselves. I know there are fabulous reps out there, but again, it is so hard not to just handle things yourself when you know it is going to get done right. But I do completely agree with you, that sales is a full-time gig and an important aspect of the business. I often feel horrible about the level of service that I am able to provide to our retail customers when things are too busy around here, and am torn as to the perfect solution.
Have you ever brought on an intern? This is one thing that made a big difference with my business (and mental state). I know it is super difficult to afford help, but an intern is a win/win, as they get fantastic exposure that they couldn’t find otherwise and you get a helping hand, if for nothing else, the small things that tend to eat up a day. This may allow you to spend more time on those things that you mentioned.
Okay, so all of this is easier said than done…believe me, I know. But I know you will get through this, just like you have everything else =)
Amber
RuffleButts
2. Jamie Lentzner | September 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
It is hard to admit we can not do it all - I have walked a mile in your shoes and I do know what I am talking about. I am not an expert either, however been doing it 6 years and I can tell you - I do NOT do it all well. It takes a big person to stand up and say a. I don’t want to do it all and b. I need help.
I am happy to help out with any advice, suggestions, reccomendations or systems we put in place….do know, this too shall pass. You will get through this and you will be better off because of it.
Take care - tomorrow is a new day!
3. Lisa TheDomesticDiva | September 10th, 2008 at 5:54 am
Ditto! I’m in the same boat. And yes, sales is a monster all in itself. We can’t be experts at everything…seriously!
It’s hard to hand over tasks/jobs…but it’s better in the long term survival of any business.
Wishing you lots of continued success!
With friendship,
Lisa
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