Where it all began
April 25th, 2009
One of my intentions when I started this blog was to share “where it all began”. I could never find stories of how people had made the leap from idea to real products on the shelves. Everywhere I would read “she started in her garage and then blew up into a mega —”, you get the idea, I’m sure you’ve read the stories too. I’ve received a few emails lately of people asking not so much why, but so much HOW, it all began for me.
It began for me with headbands on ebay. From my dining room table. I’d have my newborn daughter sleeping safely next to me while I sewed and starting researching business basics like mad. I quickly moved on to selling outfits on ebay and quickly learned that I couldn’t sustain anything if the production was up to me. So I quit ebay and sales and went seriously into product development and learning about manufacturing.
Once I had a good product, I started to hit up the industry trade shows and local boutiques. It’s been a building process from there. A slow one for me. We receive a lot of press and once our products are in boutiques, they can’t get enough. But I honestly started this business because my kids were my priority and so, especially during the development phase, there were times that I put things on hold for long periods of time. Such as when I was pregnant with my second.
If there is anything I’ve learned since launching, it is that growing a business is exactly that - a growth process. We are picking up momentum on a daily basis, and the reality that we ARE making it is starting to sink it. Every day I learn something new, everyday our processes get more efficient, every day we improve on our customer service.
This year, I’m looking to branching into a separate work space. Right now, the business occupies two full rooms of our house. Both of our kids will be school age next year, so it won’t be necessary for us to operate out of the home. Yesterday I discovered a retail space for lease in the heart of one of the cutest shopping districts in town. I can’t stop SEEING our stuff in that window. Maybe our first retail store is in the cards, it just seems so perfect.
Entry Filed under: About Me, Designing Fashion & Accessories
10 Comments Add your own
1. Amanda Stock | May 25th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
How did you actually find a manufacturer? Do you go to boutiques first or find someone to make the product first?
Keep on writing! Love it.
2. Meghan | June 17th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Kinda the same question…..I have some ideas for a boys only clothing line, but I have NO idea who to contact. At this point they are ideas in my head - good ones, but ideas non the less - and I need someone to realize them. Any thoughts?
3. kate matsudaira | July 20th, 2009 at 9:08 am
amber, i love your blog (and twitter updates). i am in the process of starting my own business and it is so valuable and insightful to read another woman’s experience. please keep up the great work.
-kate
4. amber | July 20th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Hi Amanda, Meghan, Kate - welcome and thanks for your kind words! Amanda - I found the manufacturers by first finding a pattern maker and asking for referrals. I know there are companies that manage the entire design process, and then companies that specialize, such as pattern makers and sewing contractors.
If you are starting with an idea in your head, you need to get to the point of a technical illustration or sample. You have to be able to give specific instructions (measurements, type of fabric, etc). to the pattern maker.
I hope you all keep coming back and commenting!
5. Donna | July 21st, 2009 at 7:37 am
Amber, love this blog so much! I get excited when your updates arrive, can’t wait to learn from your experiences.
I’ve been thinking of doing something on ebay. Did you do your headbands as “buy it now” or as auctions? How were there fees? It’s certainly such a huge audience!
6. amber | July 21st, 2009 at 7:45 am
Hi Donna! I did auctions. I moved onto outfits and did auctions for those too. I ended up joining a group of designers, which helped with traffic. I’m not sure how the fees are now, but it’s great to start there for a couple of reasons, it’s supreme market testing - you get to know if your stuff is appealing to the consumer, you get immediate feedback from the consumer, and it gives you the opportunity to start tackling all the aspects of running a business.
Make sure you check out etsy - which is a site that has come along since my ebay days. I hear wonders about it for the handmade market.
7. Elysia | July 25th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Hi Donna…I am another Mom with a great idea. I have talked to a few pattern makers and think I might go with an all-in-one place (pattern to production.) I would like to start out fairly small to test the market. I have no business background. My question is, do I need a business plan, accountant, etc..before I start? Also, would I need to do this if I started a website and was on etsy?
8. Lori | September 28th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I am in the process of starting a children’s line. Right now I feel like I’m all over the place. Trying to research, search business plans, find a designer, etc. I have the name already and my next step is getting my tax id number and licensing my name. I will feel like I’ve accomplished a lot if I can at least get that done. However, I can’t draw or sketch so I can’t get all of these ideas out of my head. I do keep a journal of all my ideas and research. I’ve even considering taking classes to learn. I want to know more about fabrics and textiles as well. Please help steer me in the right direction. I’m very passionate about this and I’m not going to give up.
9. hwa | October 15th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
I actually took fashion class to get an associates in fashion merchandising and everyone got mad at me because I have a son now and should be doing something stable… sighhhh =((( so now im just going back to tech college to get a certificate in something random when i really want to have a clothing store
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ok that was just ranting but i really suggest u take classes in fashion because it was really helpful in telling u how to choose fabrics and determine the types of stitching that is high quality vs. the cheap ones ^^ sometimes u dont even have to know how to sketch (even though sketching is my best… sewing is not haha) they have silhouette papers u can sketch ur ideas on…
10. Marcie Hoch | November 19th, 2009 at 3:14 am
I just stumbled upon your blog in my search for a pattern maker. I also am considering starting a childrens dress line. I’m feverishly sewing sample dresses right now. I’m wondering if you have any recommendations on how to keep the costs down in the start up faze. In other words, how do I get quality samples to show to my local boutiques for the least amount of output? Also would love to know your opinion on wholesale pricing? I have no clue what a boutique would jump at or shreek at? I’m guessing their anticipated markup is 50%?? And lastly, excuse my rambling, I really enjoyed your blog on the mistakes you made on your first sales attempts in boutiques. As I’m about to embark on my own, what’s all this about a order form?? I’m so clueless. It sounds like you have become very successful and I’m so impressed by how you taught yourself along the way. Thank you so much for sharing with us all! Few, that was long!
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