Starting a business can seem risky and uncertain, but if you are set on starting a baby clothing line, I am here to guide you through the process. In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about starting a clothing line for babies.
Launching a company can be stressful and uncertain. However, the more you know and work on it, the easier it will become. Here are 13 steps you should take if you are planning to start a baby clothing line.
Step 1: Find Out Everything You Can
The first step to starting your clothing line is to thoroughly research the industry. Considering the fact that you are reading this, you are already on a good path!
It’s important to know as many things as you can because you need to know the details of what you are getting into.
Read blog posts, books on the topic, and contact people who have already started a similar business. Remember to write down everything you think may be important later.
Step 2: Do The Market Research
This is one of the most important steps when it comes to starting your own business. It implies what the name itself says – researching the market, mainly the potential customers.
This can be done in many ways; like through surveys, observation, and, of course, interviews. Talk to moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, and siblings, or those who will be soon.
Nobody knows what you need to make and how better than them! If you are a parent or caregiver yourself, or if you’ve just been around babies a lot, even better.
Some of the questions you will want to be answered – How do people choose what to buy for their babies? What are the main properties of clothes that convince parents to buy them?
What material do the parents prefer when it comes to baby clothes? What are some of the popular designs? What are popular phrases or sentences parents want to see on their babies’ clothes? All of this will help you decide what products you should make and sell.
You can do the market research yourself or find a professional to do it.
Step 3: Solve Legal Matters
Solving legal matters is crucial, so lawyer up as soon as possible. It’s advisable not to seek legal advice on the Internet, but rather to find a competent lawyer who can guide you through the process and explain everything you need to know.
You will have to decide which legal entity you will choose for your business, you’ll need to obtain all of the permits required for operating in your district in the particular clothing business, and you will probably need to ensure that you have the contracts ready for your future employees.
All of this should be done as soon as possible, and, if done correctly, it will protect you from any trouble in the future.
Step 4: Settle The Finances
Finances are a big step in the whole process of starting a baby clothing line. You should have an accountant do the approximate estimation of how much money you will need for the start of your business.
If you want to save some money, you can do it yourself too, but be extra careful in that case. Then, it is time to figure out how to pay for all of the costs.
You have a few options – you can either pay from the money you have already saved, you can take out a loan, or you can look for investors. The best option depends on your current finances, on the amount of money you need to invest, and on your own preferences.
Step 5: Get Insured
Don’t forget to get your company insured!
You can learn the specifics by consulting with an insurance company, as there are many different ways to go around it, but it’s such an important part of opening a business – you can protect the premises, materials, finished products, and more from any possible natural or man-made disaster that can happen, such as earthquake, fire, or tornado.
Step 6: Choose A Good Name
Now onto the fun stuff! Choosing an awesome name for your company is very important for the success of your business.
Of course, it is not a single determining thing for the future of your company, but having an interesting, catchy name can help immensely. Choose something that grabs attention quickly, but also represents your and your company’s beliefs.
Regarding your business name, it’s also advisable to consult your lawyer. You will need to check if there isn’t any other company under that name and, if not, you will be able to trademark it.
Step 7: Choose The Space
Choosing the right space for your business operation can be a lengthy and tiring job. You may find it in a matter of days, but more often than not it takes much longer than that.
You should consider the comfort of both yourself and your employees, meaning there has to be enough space for everyone working there to feel comfortable. You should also make sure that the location is easily accessible.
If you are planning on starting a small baby clothing line, you can always free one room of your home and make it your office and workspace.
Not only will this be more suitable for you, but you can save tons of money on rent. If the business takes off, you can always move to another, bigger space.
Step 8: Choose The Employees
This is another potentially difficult job. If you want to start big right away, you need to find the designers, manufacturers, distributors, and any additional help you may need.
You have to include all of this in your financial calculations because the payment for the employees should be fair as well.
Apart from looking for skills and qualifications, make sure that you find people who are compatible with each other and with you. If you have sufficient finances, you can always hire a professional recruiter to help you with this.
In case you want to start your own baby clothing line because you already designed or sew, more power to you! You will save tons of money on labor and rent because you can also do that from your own home.
Step 9: Samples
Once you have found employees or decided to do the manufacturing yourself, you should start making the samples. Make as many as it takes until you have made the perfect product.
It’s important that you are completely satisfied with it, and it’s also important to ask people who buy baby clothes about their opinions. Take constructive criticism seriously and do your best to make a product most people will be satisfied with.
Keep in mind that rarely everyone will like what you make, but that is okay. It’s crucial to strive for high-quality products.
Step 10: Find Distributors And Selling Places
Another very important step to starting your clothing line for babies is to find the distributors and selling places. This can be as simple as opening an Instagram and Facebook page, or using other sites, like Etsy, Amazon, or eBay.
You can make clothes at your own home and you can be the distributor yourself. In this case, it’s very important to be kind and responsive with your (potential) customers.
If you want to start big right away, you have to find shops that will take your brand and sell it. On the other hand, you can also open your own shop, but you have to make a stock of clothes and fill it with it.
Choose what exactly you want to do based on your financial situation, your goals, and your capabilities. Be real with yourself, and always keep in mind that even if you start small, you can always expand.
Step 11: Marketing
Marketing your baby clothes should start as soon as you have samples! It is an ongoing process that never stops. Before officially launching your line of clothes, you should hype people up about your service.
Most of the marketing is nowadays done through social media, so make sure to maintain your Facebook and Instagram accounts. Reply to messages promptly, give discounts for pre-ordering, and always do what you claim you will.
Make a website that will showcase your products the best possible way and, again, be kind and patient!
Step 12: Launch
When you have settled everything you needed to before officially starting to sell your products, it’s time for launch! This is the most exciting part of the whole process.
You can have a party and invite everyone who helped you get there, just to thank them and spend some time with people who believe in you. It will give you even more strength to continue going and to become better and better.
Step 13: Grow
Once you have launched your baby clothing line and started selling the clothes, the process of growing and becoming better never stops.
Listen to your customers, be creative and original at all times, and bring something new to the market regularly. Stand out from the competition and don’t forget to enjoy the process of growing and expanding.
Summary
While starting a baby clothing line isn’t an easy process, it can be very fulfilling and stress-free if you are prepared well enough and if you believe in the products you want to sell.
Be creative, kind, and don’t sell anything you wouldn’t buy yourself, and you are already on the good path!
Jessica Oliver is a fashion enthusiast with more than ten years of experience in the industry. She previously managed her own clothing store in New York before becoming a mother of three. With a passion for sustainability and a desire to share clothing care and recycling tips.