How to Start a Small Business for Clothing

Clothing is fiber and textile material worn on the body. The wearing of clothing is a feature of nearly all human societies. The amount and type of clothing worn is dependent on physical stature, gender, as well as social and geographic considerations. Starting a small clothing business may be the perfect business, particularly if you are interested in clothing. Sell clothing items in which you are most knowledgeable. For example, you may have a knack for casual clothing fashion. Decide if you want to sell clothing online, by mail or at a clothing store. A clothing store would be your best option if you want to deal with people directly. However, consider your financing options.

Clothing Business Instruction:

Things Needed

Wholesale supplier
Clothing products
Shelving units
Hanging stand fixtures
Clothes hangers
Counters
Signage
Business hours decals
Cash registers
Fliers
Air machine
Large balloons
Banners

Step 1

Create a name for your clothing business. Contact your local county administration or city hall office. Obtain an application for a doing business as and vendor's license, as you will need to pay sales taxes on in-state customers. Fill out the application and mail it back with your application fee.

Step 2

Decide whether you want to purchase a franchise. Check the Franchisegator.com and Franchisedirect.com websites for potential clothing franchise opportunities.

Find a wholesale supplier if you start your clothing business from scratch. Access the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors at Naw.org. Call the NAW and ask them what clothing wholesalers they recommend. Go to the Tradepub.com website, according to Businessknowhow.com. Order free subscriptions of various retail trade publications.

Step 3

Call several of the wholesale suppliers. Find out if the wholesalers carry the products you wish to sell. Find out how long it takes the wholesaler to ship products to you. Select the wholesaler that provides a quick turnaround on shipments and the lowest per-unit product cost.

Step 4

Find a location for your clothing store. Choose a high-traffic area, such as a busy intersection, strip mall or busy highway exit. Make sure the demographics, such as average household income, are commensurate with your target customers. Pick a an upper-middle income neighborhood or downtown location, for example, if you are selling women's business clothes.

Step 5

Order the necessary clothing products a week or two in advance. Check to make sure that you received all of your items.

Step 6

Hire employees for your store, unless you have a spouse or family member who can work with you. Make sure all employees fill out W-4 forms so you know how much to deduct from each paycheck. Have each employee fill out an I-9 from showing that they can legally work in the U.S.

Step 7

Set up your counters, shelving units and hanging fixtures. Put your clothing on the shelves and hanging fixtures. Place in-store signage up high so customers can know where to find the products they need. Set up your cash registers. Place business hours decals on your front door.

Step 8

Distribute fliers on car windshields and on grocery store bulletin boards. Place a classified ad in your local newspaper -- the print and online versions. Conduct a grand opening sale with an air machine, large balloons and banners.

Tip

Establish a fair return policy with your customers. Allow customers to return all merchandise within 30 days, for example, if they have a receipt. Customers are more likely to become repeat buyers if you treat them fairly.

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Monday, February 2, 2015