The fashion business is a paradox: on one side there is an opinion that opening a store or creating a new brand is a pretty simple task. On the other hand - the number of failed projects is probably in the high double digits. The biggest reason is - the lack of preparation. Simply, (unless you come from great wealth) to run the brand and or the store, a person needs to have multiple talents (on top of designing) - sales, marketing, logistics, PR, etc. Because, when you start - you have no clients (your friends would tell you they come and support you - take it with skepticism), and there are so many garments, shoes, and bracelets in the world that getting customers interested in one more is a great challenge. But many of us live in an SM world where "consultants or advisers" of different calibers would give you suggestions (often for free) and you would feel knowledgeable. I have some news - it's not a good idea to listen to those. Because the wrong advice can lead you to make very costly mistakes:
Example:
1. Today, I listened to a podcast that was put out by a very reputable company. The shocking truth: people who hosted and spoke during the event had very limited knowledge about the subjects they were discussing, therefore, listeners were getting (to put it nicely) incorrect information that they probably would try to use for their own businesses.
2. Those who start new brands often start with creating "storytelling", which is always advisable to do. Unfortunately, those who advise this have a very limited understanding of the reality of the business. Clients care little about your dreams and inspirations, they are attracted to garments that fit well, work well with their personal style,