Date: 3/16/10 10:45 AM

I am receiving a rather large shipment of fabric and wanted to start selling clothes to local boutiques. If you have done this already I need help with the following.

Where do you find information on the buyers for these places, (besides cold calling)

Is there an online resource for finding upcoming "boutique selling events" (or do people even do this anymore?)

What terms should I use on my invoice 30 net - are there any funky terms I should know about?

You can PM me if you don't want to answer online.
TIA

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"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
Coco Chanel

Stash Sewn in 2011 as of 9/1/11... 148.5 Yds

http://adonising.blogspot.com

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Date: 3/16/10 2:57 PM

I'm not in business for myself at all, but I've been on the buying end of things on occasion, so your question about invoicing caught my eye.

I don't have an answer for you; but I would consult an accountant about the terms on your invoice. Or, this could be part of a contract negotiation.

You need to consider cash flow when coming up with terms. You may want to encourage early payment by offering a discount, or discourage late payment by charging interest.

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Date: 3/16/10 7:23 PM

kathleen fascenella wrote a book that you might find answers a lot of these questions - details are on her fashion incubator blog. i wish you every success in your venture.

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Date: 3/17/10 8:13 AM

You might also want to request an invitation to access the "Sewing as a Business" forum here on PR.
link to that forum

There are many different topics covered on that forum that may be of use to you.

Having managed a small consulting business for 35 years, I would strongly advise you to invest in an hour or two of time with an accountant who can help you with invoicing advice as well as the tax implications of your venture. Over the years I have seen many a small business fail due to tax issues, and it is not the taxes that do them in ~ it is the penalties and interest from not paying taxes timely.

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"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." Anais Nin

"Attitude is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal." unknown

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Reply to EleanorSews
Date: 3/17/10 10:42 AM

Thanks Eleanor,
I asked for the invitation but it was declined. They said they would only extend the invitation to people who already have a business. So I'm doing what I can.

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"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
Coco Chanel

Stash Sewn in 2011 as of 9/1/11... 148.5 Yds

http://adonising.blogspot.com

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Reply to loti
Date: 3/17/10 11:24 AM

Just PM Deepika and explain the situation.
During my college years I sewed for local boutiques. I think how successful you are will depend upon the economy of the area in which you're selling. It is very difficult to compete with prices that boutiques can buy from foreign suppliers.

Have you interviewed the boutiques to see what they tack on for overhead and how they work paying for items? Do they buy them outright or take them only on a consignment basis? Do NOT forget taxes or you will very surprised come April!
-- Edited on 3/17/10 11:33 AM --

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Sewing: A creative mess is better than tidy idleness. ~Author Unknown

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Reply to Sharon1952
Date: 3/17/10 12:03 PM

Thank you Sharon, I have a few appointments set up next week to do a little information gathering. I dipped my toe in 4 years ago and got burned with consignment so I'll do everything I can to stay away from that. I used to be a rep, so I'm aware of the locations which would be better for what I'm producing. I'm actually pretty excited to get started.
Having been a rep, I'm very good about documenting but can already sense that I'll have to focus on the keeping the paper under control and organized.

I've pm'd Deepika, thanks for the recommendation, I really appreciate it.

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"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
Coco Chanel

Stash Sewn in 2011 as of 9/1/11... 148.5 Yds

http://adonising.blogspot.com

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Reply to loti
Date: 3/17/10 5:15 PM

Quote:

I am receiving a rather large shipment of fabric and wanted to start selling clothes to local boutiques...Where do you find information on the buyers for these places, (besides cold calling)

At this stage, calling each store to ask is the best and lowest cost option. There are other ways -say, getting a sales rep- but it'll cost.

Quote:

Is there an online resource for finding upcoming "boutique selling events" (or do people even do this anymore?)

I think you mean trunk shows and yes, they're online, more on that in a minute. Do you want to attend one (as a consumer) or do you want to be featured in one? If you want to attend one, you can ask to be added to a given store's mailing list and they'll send you a postcard or email about any upcoming events. If you want to be featured in one, this is something you'll have to arrange with a store owner. How you go about doing that depends on the store. There's a lot that goes into it, more than I could write here (it's on my forum) but part of putting it on could mean covering some of the costs of promoting it. Meaning postcards for mailing etc and likely, you'd be in charge of getting the information out online.

Quote:

What terms should I use on my invoice 30 net - are there any funky terms I should know about?

Oh there's tons of funky stuff to know, again more than I could post here but I definitely don't recommend net 30. It used to be traditional. These days, you get paid upon delivery. What payment means is another story. Some will take checks in advance of delivery so they clear by the needed date or they are paid by credit card.

Good luck!

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http://fashion-incubator.com
Lessons from the sustainable sewing factory floor

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Date: 3/17/10 5:45 PM

I agree ~ Net 30 is not usually the way to go. I usually do "Upon receipt" or "Upon delivery."

Now, that's for illustration & graphic design services, but I don't think they're THAT different.

I'd also strongly recommend PayPal as a payment option. That way, you can accept credit cards without having to invest in a merchant credit account/services (EXPENSIVE!!! AND you have to pay higher fees per transaction and usually have to sign a contract).

Best of luck to you!!!!

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Connie in Panama City Beach, Florida :)

"And these children that you spit on, as they try to change their worlds, are immune to your consultations. They're quite aware of what they're going through" ~ David Bowie, "Changes"

http://www.imsewverycreative.blogspot.com

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Reply to Kathleen Fasanella
Date: 3/17/10 10:18 PM

Thank you Kathleen, I've read bits and pieces on your website (mostly related to the Vionnet articles & sleeve ease). Time to go back and read some more. I'm at the I don't know what I don't know yet, so I'll be starting slowly and easing into it.

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"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
Coco Chanel

Stash Sewn in 2011 as of 9/1/11... 148.5 Yds

http://adonising.blogspot.com

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