photo credit: Tammy Manet

Did you know the fashion industry is a $20 billion a year business? And the home based business industry receives revenues of over $420 billion a year? That’s more than the pharmaceutical industry, food industry, and consumer goods combined!

The following 3 steps are the same used by many of today’s top fashion moguls. If put to use, they will work for you.

1. The first step is to start a social networking page on Myspace, or Facebook. Be sure to let it be known on your page that you are in the fashion business. Ask people to submit their ideas to you for garments to introduce into your clothing line. Add as many people as you can to get the word out!

2. The second step is to start a t-shirt company. This is what propelled many others like Baby Phat, Phat Pharm, and fubu into super success. Be sure to list your t-shirts for sale on your networking page. You may want to start a webpage to link to your social networking page. This can be done by starting a free web blog. Search the internet. There are plenty of sites that will provide one for free. If you prefer a paid site I recommend tiptopwebsites. Then you have links put on your t-shirts which direct people to your web page. Once you have t-shirts listed on your page, leave comments for your friends and let them know you have some cool t-shirts for sale, and provide the link.

3.The third step is put into effect as you begin selling t-shirts. First, you contact the people who had the best ideas and make a deal with them to share in the profits. Now you gather all your garment designs and pick the best ones. At this point you contact a local sewing shop or search for some online and have them to make your new garments for your clothing line. As the garments are made, you list them for sale,along with your t-shirts,on your web page. The links on all your t-shirts,will direct more customers to your web page. Now you will start sending emails to managers of clothing stores and offer them bulk deals on your merchandise. Give them a link to your web page so they can check you out. The first time they see someone wearing one of your t-shirts, they will think of you.

The steps I have just shared with you are what the top players are using today. These steps are definitely the easiest way to start a fashion business. If you want to know more, just visit my blog and I’ll show you step by step how to start your own t-shirt company today.

http://www.theeasiestwaytostartafashionbusiness.blogspot.com

Follow the link to my blog and I’ll show you the easiest way to start a t-shirt business-

http://www.theeasiestwaytostartafashionbusiness.blogspot.com

Since very few stores specialize in plus sized apparel, you can build a profitable business by buying and selling wholesale plus sized apparel.

You can capture even more business by selling wholesale plus sized apparel if you take your business online.

Online sales are perfect for wholesale plus sized apparel since women would prefer to shop from the comfort of their home than visit local stores.

The need for privacy is also important for plus sized consumers. They would rather people not see them shopping for plus sized clothing.

You can help plus sized customers, and make money at the same time, by finding wholesale plus sized apparel, and then retailing it from your own site or on eBay.

When you look at a market you need to see what the future holds for that segment. Since most studies agree that people are getting heavier, it looks like there will be a continued increase in the number of plus sized women.

To enter this market you will need to have sources of high quality wholesale plus sized apparel.

You can find the best sources for wholesale plus sized apparel by contacting manufacturers that specialize in wholesale plus sized apparel.

Find these manufacturers by calling apparel trade groups.

These apparel trade groups will point you in the direction by giving you the contact information of wholesale plus sized apparel manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors.

Request a catalog from each vendor, and start comparing prices, quality, and variety, until you find the right wholesale plus sized apparel vendor that you would like to deal with.

The wholesale plus sized apparel market is a lucrative market with less suppliers than customers.
This imbalance in supply and demand explains why the profit margins are so high in the wholesale plus sized apparel business.

Donny Lowy is the CEO of http://www.closeoutexplosion.com, an online wholesale and closeout business, and http://www.wholesalecloseoutforum.com, an educational site for the wholesale and closeout business.Wholesale plus sized apparel is a great market to be in. Wholesale plus sized apparel consists of plus sized for women.

Since very few stores specialize in plus sized apparel, you can build a profitable business by buying and selling wholesale plus sized apparel.

You can capture even more business by selling wholesale plus sized apparel if you take your business online.

Online sales are perfect for wholesale plus sized apparel since women would prefer to shop from the comfort of their home than visit local stores.

The need for privacy is also important for plus sized consumers. They would rather people not see them shopping for plus sized clothing.

You can help plus sized customers, and make money at the same time, by finding wholesale plus sized apparel, and then retailing it from your own site or on eBay.

When you look at a market you need to see what the future holds for that segment. Since most studies agree that people are getting heavier, it looks like there will be a continued increase in the number of plus sized women.

To enter this market you will need to have sources of high quality wholesale plus sized apparel.

You can find the best sources for wholesale plus sized apparel by contacting manufacturers that specialize in wholesale plus sized apparel.

Find these manufacturers by calling apparel trade groups.

These apparel trade groups will point you in the direction by giving you the contact information of wholesale plus sized apparel manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors.

Request a catalog from each vendor, and start comparing prices, quality, and variety, until you find the right wholesale plus sized apparel vendor that you would like to deal with.

The wholesale plus sized apparel market is a lucrative market with less suppliers than customers.
This imbalance in supply and demand explains why the profit margins are so high in the wholesale plus sized apparel business.

Donny Lowy is the CEO of http://www.closeoutexplosion.com, an online wholesale and closeout business, and http://www.wholesalecloseoutforum.com, an educational site for the wholesale and closeout business.

photo credit: eMaringolo

A fresh approach to club attire

Jennifer Glaspie launched Chicago-based Aphira golfware to create apparel for the social golfer who wants to stand out on the green, not fit into the club.

by Carolyn Schwaar

When novice golfer Jennifer Glaspie was kicked off the green at a Florida golf club for wearing a sleeveless, collarless sweater, she didn’t know then that women’s golf apparel would become her life’s passion.

From the runway to the fairway

In 2000, Glaspie, a successful corporate business consultant at the prestigious Chicago-based firm of Baine & Co, started learning golf at the request of her boyfriend (now husband). But as her golf swing improved, this petite and style-savvy urbanite found her clothing options didn’t.

“Golf apparel is so far behind the curve fashion-wise and the options for the fashion-conscious golfer are limited,” she says. But it took a cool October morning with a tee time looming and “nothing to wear” that finally pressed Glaspie to action.

Convinced that there was great potential in a high-end line of women’s golf clothing that was trendy and comfortable yet sophisticated, Glaspie put her career on hold, and put her Kellogg MBA to use developing a business plan to launch a chic line of women’s golf apparel.

“I’ve always had a love of fashion, but I thought entering the competitive apparel industry would be just crazy,” recalls the 32-year-old Michigan native. However, research showed that, although the apparel industry is cut-throat, high-end niches such as resort ware and specialized sports apparel, have their own, more accessible and less competitive market. “I found some fashion-forward lines that were doing well, but the market certainly wasn’t saturated, so everything pointed to ‘go,’ ” she says.

Glaspie and her tradition-bucking designer, Cassy Clark, set out to create golf apparel that was fun to wear, hip, and a little bit sexy, hoping against hope that they would have a hit. And they did.

Aphira debuted at the 2005 PGA Merchandise show in Florida. “There we were walking practically three miles back to our little booth past these huge corporate booths,” recalls Glaspie. “We felt totally overwhelmed, but from the beginning, people started saying great things. One women said ‘I love this line, this is my favorite line here out of 1,000 exhibitors. It felt promising. We felt really, really good.”

The duo wrote dozens of orders at the show for their first line. And when their initial customers received their shipment and loved it, they began to think that they might just have something. “One client said people where buying it right out of the box before she could get it on the rack,” says Glaspie.

Now in it’s third year, Aphira is established in nearly 150 golf shops in the United States, Europe, and Asia. But success didn’t come without some missteps.

“I thought we had to be really different when we first launched,” recalls Glaspie. The debut line was sexy and edgy with closefitting tops and tennis-length skorts. “But we’ve toned that down a bit as we’ve gone on.” The shift in style reflects the company’s research into just who’s buying their stylish line, which in many markets is actually retirees in there 50s and 60s.

“Nike and Addidas design sportswear for the athletic golfer,” says Glaspie. “Our customer is more socialite than athlete. She doesn’t play four-times a week, she plays with her girlfriends on the weekends, and she’s someone who’s always put together.”

Like a lot of entrepreneurs, Glaspie is owner, marketer, sales rep and even model. “One time at a meeting with the proshop owner at the Ravinia Green Country Club I ran and put on a pair of shorts to show the client how they fit,” says Glaspie. Every piece in the line is made in her size for product testing. “I need to try it all on. I swing a club and I walk around it in. I’m a golfer and I know the functionality that the garment needs to have.”

The Aphira line is made entirely in America. The fabric is custom dyed and shipped to a factory on Chicago’s north side for assembly.

For now, Aphira apparel is only available in golf stores, and that’s just fine with Glaspie. “We need to stay focused on the golf market. We know every dollar invested will be a few dollars return in the golf market but it would take too much capitol to break into the larger apparel retail market.”

Although you won’t see Aphira in department stores, you can get a glimpse of it on the popular Golf Channel reality show The Big Break: Ladies Only, which will feature Aphira apparel on golfer Valeria Ochoa this spring. And the new Hollywood film “Who’s Your Caddy?,” billed as “an urban take on the comedy golf movie” features a sexy character wearing Aphira throughout the film.

The chancy career hop from guiding the strategic growth of Fortune-500 companies to making golf skorts has definitely paid off, says Glaspie. “It has just been a whirlwind but I’m definitely having fun. In consulting I had peeks and valley and good weeks and bad weeks, but when it’s your own company your highs are really high and lows are really low. Everything takes on so much more importance when it’s your own.”

###

Callout or boxed item:
Aphira: a-fear-ah. A word invented by golfwear entrepreneur Jennifer Glaspie taken from the Latin word ephiro, meaning to exult.

Sidebar:
Can fashion attract more women to golf?
Although it may sound shallow to say more fashionable golfware will get more women to play golf, Jennifer Glaspie, owner of Aphira women’s golf apparel in Chicago, says it’s absolutely true. “I have a friend who I asked to take some golf lessons with me but she said ‘I play tennis because the cloths are cuter.’ Having more fashion in this sport does change its image.”

Just take a look at internationally televised women’s golf tournaments like the Lexus Cup where teams lead by Annika Sorenstam and Grace Park ditched the masculine polo top for trendy designer golfwear to project a fun and fashionable image for women’s golf.

And younger players, such as tank-top sporting Michelle Wie, are bringing their young attitudes and free spirit with them to the green — and this includes their fashion statements.

“There’s a lot more younger people playing the sport,” says Glaspie. And with youth, she says, comes new ideas that buck the traditions and set a new style.

Carolyn Schwaar is a Chicago-based freelance writer and editor specializing in business, technology, and communications. For more, visit http://www.carolynschwaar.com

photo credit: obi der milchmann

Every year, thousands of shirts, shorts, pants, jackets and other accessories are produced every year. This can be for brands like Nike, Reebok, Champion and Adidas to name a few that are made in different countries and sold around the world.

Research shows that between 2004 and 2005, the importation of these goods rose by more than four percent. This is about $24 billion in apparel alone that analysts predict will continue to grow as people are becoming more health conscious.

If the person wants to make some money, then getting into the sports apparel business can be rewarding. All the entrepreneur has to do is tie up with a major company then have the equipment to do the products or have it outsourced elsewhere.

Having it done in another country is the trend in the manufacturing industry. This is because the costs of labor outside are much cheaper than doing it back home. The biggest market not only for sports apparel but a wide range of other products is China.

As long as these suppliers follow the guidelines set by the client, there won’t be any problems with the flow of goods that arrive per season.

Companies follow a certain standard when it comes to what is small, medium, large and extra large. However some people fall in between so getting one that is custom made is an alternative.

The customer will have to be fitted first then use an existing design or come up with one so this can be made. Though this is done more often among triathletes, the same thing can be done to anyone who wants to do well in a sport.

Manufacturers who come up with new designs each year also have to compete against other companies using new technology. Some designers are experimenting with clothes that have a microchip but have had better success by putting this into the shoe.

Those who don’t want to get into the business of manufacturing sports apparel but still want to make money can just put up a shop instead. This will involve getting into a partnership with one of the major dealership to become a distributor or invite these firms to have a small space in the store.

The sports apparel industry is a growing business and those who want to make money can either be a manufacturer or a distributor of these goods.

Low Jeremy maintains http://sports-apparel.articlesforreprint.com This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

No matter the type, size, or location, franchises are one of the very popular international business opportunities. But figuring out which ones are hot and which ones are not can be a challenge. The major benefit of starting a franchised business is that the business model has already been proven. As a result, only 5% of franchises fail in a year compared to the 30% to 35% of non-franchise small businesses. This means that franchises are the most successful way to set up your own business.

Working from home is another most alluring international Business Opportunity of recent times. The power of the Internet lets you conduct international business because your website is available all over the world. The Internet has become the way people do business and has led to many people having their own very successful home business Many people dream about having their own home business in order to escape the hassle of commuting, friction with overbearing bosses and the stress of the corporate workplace. In the good old days, the ideal home business was some kind of mail-order business. However, in today’s world an Internet based business offers the best way to gain flexibility and economic independence. One of the best international business opportunities from working from home is by Medical Transcription.

Medical transcription is the act of translating from oral to written form (on paper or electronically) the record of a person’s medical history, diagnosis, prognosis, and outcome. Transcriptionists transfer medical voice recordings made by doctors and health professionals into documentation including: operating room reports, autopsy reports, and physical examination documentation. Currently, over 20% of people working in the profession are self-employed. The medical transcription business requires careful execution of health record confidentiality requirements. Any changes in the laws and regulations can affect business profitability. An additional risk is the occupational hazards of computer keyboard work resulting in eyestrain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and wrist or back problems

Fashionable clothing is also one of the most successful international business opportunities available in the business scenario. Smart clothing conjures up images of space age Jetson style apparel. Smarter apparel encompasses the customization of clothing to special markets ranging from performance apparel, sun protection, and aging-friendly clothing. The challenge of entering the smart clothing market is selecting a niche that is not too mainstream allowing bigger competitors to swallow market share before you get established. Conversely, a market too narrow can present problems with attaining break even points and profitability. Success in the smart clothing industry will require the ability to outmaneuver large retailers who influence the apparel business. Selling to select markets (i.e. skateboard shops) and outsourcing the manufacturing process overseas can help to maintain profit margins.

The language translation market has given new avenues in international business opportunities. It is a whole new concept that has been projected to reach $22.7 US billion by the end of 2005 in US alone, according to a report by Allied Business Intelligence. Translation services can cover various areas including: legal translation, commercial translation, technical translation, editing services, language interpretation, and website localization. Becoming a translator can be simple for someone who fluently speaks a foreign tongue. To succeed in this international business opportunity requires business skills of marketing and operations. Also, look to add a level of professionalism by gaining certification. Several potential risks exist in the market. Computerized translation services and voice recognition technology can fill some simple language translation needs. Translators who understand local cultural differences can provide critical insight that a computer cannot. Another risk can be a slow down in global trade. But with the power of the Internet and its high content production demands, the overall risks for translators remains low.

The Franchise Guide writes about Franchises, Franchising and Franchise Opportunities.

photo credit: Conor Keller

Baby apparel business is a lively industry. In the whole world, every eight second a baby is born. That means, at least seven babies in a minute!

So, you can imagine how big the business is.

However, not all gets a big success. What made them fail?

Before talking about the failure, let’s take a look at what it takes for a successful baby apparel business.

• Materials

Those who wish to be a serious player in the business have to expertise this first. Get to know the materials. Why is it so important? Baby’s skin is quite sensitive. You don’t want your product to be the trigger for a baby’s allergic and moms will talk about it and the next thing you know, no one is buying your baby apparel products. Get only the best materials, safe ones, for sure.

• Design

Get a designer if needed. The apparel should be simple yet cute. Baby is all about being cute. No one is buying ‘sad-looking’ baby clothing. Try to prepare designs for all weathers to make the hit all year. Or, you might be able to specialize in winter baby clothing, for example. Also, it is best to make it simple. Onesies or outfits that come in one piece, open in the front, have zippers, or snap buttons are something moms are crazy about for they are easy to put on.

• Colors

Use bright colors. It does not have to be blue for baby boys and pink for baby girls. Yellow and green are the new trend on baby fashion. Explore with colors. Imagine how they look on babies, because babies are good in any colors at all.

• Mix and Match

If possible, try not to make or sell only onesies or t-shirts and pants. Get caps, socks and shoes with the same design and colors. It can boost selling. Those moms don’t have to browse for the accessories for you have prepared everything for them. And for buyers who plan to give it as a present, they must be contented for they have all items in one package. Some baby apparel products prepare such a thing for newborns only, actually, it is also possible for older babies.

So, those are the aspects for a success baby apparel business. Disregard them is the beginning of a failure.

There is also one other way to success that might be useful in this era of internet. Get an online store. It’s estimated that consumers spent $44.5 billion on internet-based goods and services in 2000. So, selling on the net is a great option you need to consider for a success in your baby apparel business.

Adwina Jackson hosts a wonderful blog about baby apparel products. In her blog, she shares baby apparel shopping tips and some helpful baby apparel guides. She makes it easy for all moms-to-be and anyone planning to buy baby clothing to find out all they need to know about any baby apparel products.

photo credit: Tammy Manet

Many people dream of becoming a fashion designer. They dream that supermodels will 1 day walk down the runway wearing their dresses, or blouses, or $200 denim jeans. I applaud their ambition. Having been involved in the apparel business since the age of 17, I have seen my share of successes and failures. Here are some pointers that might help you become 1 of the success stories.

#1: Define Your Customer

To be successful in the apparel business, it is vital to first define your target customer. Remember that you can not be all things to all people. Let us face it, a 50-year-old lady from rural Kansas probably will not buy a pair of skinny, tight-fitting jeans at $270 a pop. But a trendy 25-year-old professional woman living in Los Angeles just might! Defining the following characteristics of your customer is crucial:

1. Where do they live? You probably should not try to sell bikinis in December to someone living in Minneapolis. But you might want to market your bikinis to cities in Florida. 2. How old are they? Age is perhaps THE most important factor in defining your market segment, as the skinny jeans example above demonstrates. 3. Where do they shop? Someone living in urban cities is much more likely to shop online. This information will determine your best course of action for marketing your products. 4. How much do they tend to spend when they shop for your particular product category? Price tolerance will decide how much you can charge for your product, and what retail stores will most likely carry your product.

#2: Check Out Your Competition

To guesstimate the chance of success of your new apparel line, look around to see if other people are already successful with similar products! Say you want to sell leopard print ponchos. You might want to go to all the major retailers and see if anyone is selling ponchos. Is animal print “in” right now? And of course, you need to consider your specific market sector first. In certain market, being first and different just might be your ticket to success. If you have not answered the questions in #1 above, answer them now. Read all the fashion magazines, as they tend to showcase products that will be hot in the coming season. Some even report trends likely to be popular a year from now.

#3: Have A Marketing Plan

After you have defined your customer, figured out how much you can charge them for your products, you need a marketing plan that will get your name out there. Should you try submitting your products to all the editors at major fashion magazines, or do you have the budget to place your products into the hands of celebrities through an agency. Remember, just because your have a great product does not mean people will automatically know about it. And the more buzz you generate for your product, the more likely stores will sell it.

#4: Know Your Start-up Cost

Apparel lines are EXPANSIVE to launch. So calculate your costs very carefully. You might want to work out of your house to start. But still, there are some basic itemized costs you should consider:

1. Travel expanses necessary to promote your line. 2. Do you want to hire professional sales reps? They could cost thousands of dollars. 3. Production related costs: (i) How much does it cost to make prototypes? (ii) What is the production costs? Small run custom apparel items are very costly. Consider alternative fabrics; limit the sizes you offer as it will reduce the number of SKUs (stock keeping units) you need to purchase. Do you want to make your product in high-cost markets such as Italy, or low cost markets such as India and China?

#5: Financing You have a plan to market your new apparel line; you know how much it will cost you; now you need to know how to finance your venture. Possible sources for money:

1. Your savings 2. Your friends and family 3. Mortgaging your current assets such as your house 4. Finding outside investors 5. Borrowing from the bank (SBA loans are available for entrepreneurs in many cases)

#6: Know Your Launch Date

In the apparel business, seasons play a crucial part in determining your possible launch date. Apparel buyers purchase their items at VERY specific time of the year at major industry events. You need to calculate backwards based on these event dates to decide when you need to have your prototypes ready for showing. You also need to decide what season your product is suited for. Is it Fall? Is it Spring?

#7: Write Down Your Plan

Like starting any other business, after you have come up with a plan, writing it down increases your chances of success. Your plan will keep you focused, and provide you with the big picture as well as the details you need to consider. And if you are trying to secure financing, a business plan is not only crucial, but absolutely necessary!

Above are the essential steps you need to take if you are serious about launching a successful apparel line. Remember, perseverance is key! If you believe you have a great idea, pursue it. But be thorough with your research; be meticulous with your planning. I wish you the best of luck! Please make sure to check my other articles regarding specific details on each of the above points. You might also want to check out my web sites for additional information.

Customized Baseball Hats related information
Apparel with Custom Embroidery
Corporate Apparel and Logo Shirts related information

Jackie Or is the owner of The Promotion Factory, Inc. Her company provides custom logoed corporate apparel and custom hats at wholesale price points. The Promotion Factory also provides overseas custom apparel and custom hats outsourced manufacturing services.

photo credit: Tanya Dropbear

The sports apparel business has become one of the more competitive retail industries over the past 20 years. This can be attributed to many factors. Some say it is the growing interest in the games by the younger generation. Other are convinced that it is the “Cool Factor” to be associated with a particular team. Here is my take on the top five reasons.

Reason one…ESPN has given us complete and total access to each and every sport. Professional and collegiate alike, ESPN is wall to wall sports and has been for the past couple decades. Personalities such as Chris Berman and Dan Patrick have made it fun to simply watch highlights, Sportscenter. Who would have ever thought 30 years ago that what was once a 3-4 minute segment of the news, now would have a channel devoted to sports and that channel would run thirty, sixty, and one hundred twenty minute sports highlight shows,

Reason two…The National Football League (NFL) has grown to iconic levels in this country. The Super Bowl is the single most viewed annual event on American television. Supporting your favorite teams and showing your colors is far more popular than ever. Millions of people have Super Bowl parties wearing their favorite teams’ apparel. Whether you are a fan or not, it’s what you wear at these parties.

Reason three…It is a fun business for an entrepreneur to be involved. Sports businesses in general are fun to own and operate. Because of the allure to be associated in some manner in sports, owning a sports apparel store make the owner feel a bit closer to the game. The stores are generally bright and lively and the mood in the stores is typically upbeat.

Reason four…The Cool Factor! Countless millions of sports fans buy team apparel to be part of the crowd they run with. From oversized baseball jerseys to team hats made out of any assortment of colors, it is sheik to be seen in the trendy sports apparel. You can get a Cincinnati Reds hat in as many as five different colors. The people that buy these hats do not care so much about the team. It’s a fashion statement they are making.

Reason five…The almighty dollar! Although there is extreme competition in this industry, it is all about the money for many store owners. The margins in this industry are large. The guesswork on teams is not very difficult. Stocking the right products is relatively simple. The sports apparel industry is so competitive because so many owners are making money. Until the gravy train decides to slow down, don’t look for many owners to get off the train.

More and more sports apparel franchises are bound to open up at your local mall. It is not a fad, sports apparel is here to stay. It’s a fun business and always seems to have something newsworthy to talk about.

For the store owners, sit back and enjoy the ride. And for the rest of you wanting to get into the industry, find a good location and join the fun.

Dan Mercurio is president of Elite Search Engine Optimization Company. We offer affordable quality search engine marketing campaigns for you as we have for NFL Fan Gear | MLB Fan Gear | NBA Fan Gear | NCAA Fan Gear | NHL Fan Gear | NCAA Fan Gear | NASCAR Fan Gear