Many entrepreneurs with a passion for fashion can turn their knack for shopping and skills for styling into a lucrative livelihood by opening their own boutique. If owning your own quirky and unique clothing store sounds right for you, there are a few essential tips you should know.
Make a Business Plan
While it’s tempting to jump right into the fun parts of owning a boutique, like picking the clothes, space, and the décor, the first step you’ll want to take is to make a business plan. Mapping out your short-term and long-term goals help set your business up for success by anticipating your monthly and yearly costs, how much you need to earn to make a profit, and how many employees you can hire. Knowing your budget off the bat prevents unnecessary expenditures that could lead to business collapse.
Form Your Style
Once you’ve figured out the particulars, you can get started on creating a theme or style that sets your store above competitors. Think of your audience. What are exclusive attributes your boutique will provide that convinces customers to shop in your boutique as opposed to others? Researching rare fashions, unique boutique names, and innovative ways to showcase items can help create your personal brand. Try to generate a brand that’s authentic to your vision but also fills a gap in the industry. This way you can feel authentic about your work while giving customers a distinct reason to shop with you.
Find a Space
Looking for retail space should be on the top of your list after your budget has been finalized. This can give you plenty of time to snag the perfect location, go over lease contracts, and make any necessary renovations or design choices without feeling rushed. When looking for your prime piece of real estate, try to keep in mind what other businesses are in the area and the layout or size you want the store to be. These key factors may help determine how much foot traffic your company will get, who your customers and competition may be, and what experience you want your buyers to have when shopping with you.
Gather Suppliers
Shopping to fill a store can be a much different experience than shopping for your own wardrobe. It’s important to keep your own tastes in mind and choose brands you would feel proud to wear. Try to think of everything from production practices to price to company values when selecting suppliers. For instance, is providing eco-friendly clothing an important part of your boutique’s mission? Or, maybe you’re trying to give customers runway style clothing for a quarter of the price. Once you have a list of suppliers, try to narrow it down by thinking of how expensive shipping will be, how long it will take to get items delivered, and how many other stores may be carrying the same fashions.
Establish Your Online Presence
Setting up your shop website is crucial for the digital age we live in today. This is a great way to market your boutique and get the word out to potential customers. It’s also a way to increase profit and sales as many people prefer shopping from the comfort of their own home. You may even decide that running an online-only boutique is what’s right for you. Online boutiques can minimize operating costs, employee wages, and decrease risks like theft or shoplifting. Not very tech-savvy? No need to worry. If your budget allows, you can hire a web designer and digital marketing team to do most of the work for you.
Starting your own boutique doesn’t have to be stressful. Following a few simple guidelines can ensure your fashion venture is successful and enjoyable.
