Hey Everyone!
Alright, it's been a few days since I posted so here is what has been going on...
Last Thursday I attended the Starting a Business Seminar with my local Small Business Development Center. The seminar was very informative and covered all the general areas of starting a business, including writing a business plan, taxes, types of business entities etc. Overall it was a bit overwhelming, so much stuff to learn and figure out!! Thankfully the center offers more specific seminars and one on one counseling. I'm definitely going to need help with trademarking and branding, as well as, taxation, permits, and the legal process. They did give a CD with more information on it; I have yet to go through it.
Tomorrow I will be meeting with Tim, my friend that is heading the fashion show, about some questions/issues I have with the way the show is heading. Apparently the benefactor has been changed, and I am not to happy with that. Originally Tim was very enthusiastic about raising money for the American Cancer Society due the effect cancer has had in his own personal life. However, now I believe that too much power has been given to others working on the show. I would really like the show to be in support of his original dream. So we'll see how the meeting goes tomorrow. Pray it goes well!
Lastly, I received a new serger as a gift. Yay!! I will be experimenting with it in the next few weeks, and it better work well!!! lol I am so excited to have it!
Other than that, I have just been working on show garments and commissioned pieces.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Workin' on Dreams!
Rehcy Row in 365 Days to Runway, the life, times, and a little nonsensical nonsense of an up and coming fashion designer
Showing posts with label fashion business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion business. Show all posts
20 February 2010
19 January 2010
First Consult
Hey Hey!!
Just wanted to inform you guys on my first consultation with the Small Business Administration.
The telephone interview is to let the entrepreneur learn what the SBA offers, where the start-up company currently stands, and where I see it going . The counselor started by telling me about their organization and gave me an overview on what services they offer. As far as I can tell, the administration offers a large range of services from one-on-one specific counseling to group seminars on certain areas of starting a business. My local SBA also has a resource library that is open to me to use during business hours. They recommended I attend their "Starting a Business" workshop (fee: $35.00), afterwards, which, they would schedule me for an in person interview with a counselor. This is their typical path, however, if I can not attend the workshop, they would go ahead and schedule the interview (fee: free). Since I am not sure I will be able to attend the coming workshop, I let them know I would register closer to time when I know for sure of my schedule. They also asked me questions about my business and what kind of information I thought I might need.
As the summary of the experience, I will inform you that all counseling is free, while seminars/workshops have moderate fees. These fees cover software and resources given to you to take home and use after the workshop. The interview was very informative, the counselor was very polite, and overall I am impressed with the services offered and the response time.
Working on Dreams,
Anna Maria
Just wanted to inform you guys on my first consultation with the Small Business Administration.
The telephone interview is to let the entrepreneur learn what the SBA offers, where the start-up company currently stands, and where I see it going . The counselor started by telling me about their organization and gave me an overview on what services they offer. As far as I can tell, the administration offers a large range of services from one-on-one specific counseling to group seminars on certain areas of starting a business. My local SBA also has a resource library that is open to me to use during business hours. They recommended I attend their "Starting a Business" workshop (fee: $35.00), afterwards, which, they would schedule me for an in person interview with a counselor. This is their typical path, however, if I can not attend the workshop, they would go ahead and schedule the interview (fee: free). Since I am not sure I will be able to attend the coming workshop, I let them know I would register closer to time when I know for sure of my schedule. They also asked me questions about my business and what kind of information I thought I might need.
As the summary of the experience, I will inform you that all counseling is free, while seminars/workshops have moderate fees. These fees cover software and resources given to you to take home and use after the workshop. The interview was very informative, the counselor was very polite, and overall I am impressed with the services offered and the response time.
Working on Dreams,
Anna Maria
17 January 2010
Busy-Ness
Hey Hey People!!!
Several things have been going on these last few days. Time to fill you all in...
The SBA returned my call, and I now have an appointment for a phone interview on Tuesday 19 January 2010. Hopefully that goes well.
A new manager took over Stella, the boutique in Fort Walton Beach Florida that carries some of my accessories and paintings. The new manager told one of my close friends that she really likes my work and wants me to call her about putting in some more product. BLAH!! Phone calls!!! lol This is a blessing and a curse all wrapped up into one. The blessing comes from more product in store equals more sold. The curse part being that more product equals a lot more work!! Also, the manager stated that she's thinking of going with a particular theme in the store. Uh-oh, I don't know how that will be.
Next, the government sent me a prospective jury summons for a case scheduled to begin soon. Now I am all for serving my duty as an United States citizen, but the case is expected to last three months!! Yes, three months, Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm!!! The case would continue through the date of the fashion show. Now how am I supposed to create a collection for the benefit of the American Cancer Society, start my own apparel/accessory company, keep up my freelance work, and work a stable job while I'm spending nine hours everyday at the dang courthouse which is located over an hour drive both ways!!! Keeping my fingers crossed that this case settles out of court.
Lastly, I've done some sketches for the show. These are very quick sketches just to get my ideas down. I may or may not go back & add more details. For the collection I'm thinking layered sheers contrasted with black leathers & pleathers. I'll load the sketches for everyone to see.
Several things have been going on these last few days. Time to fill you all in...
The SBA returned my call, and I now have an appointment for a phone interview on Tuesday 19 January 2010. Hopefully that goes well.
A new manager took over Stella, the boutique in Fort Walton Beach Florida that carries some of my accessories and paintings. The new manager told one of my close friends that she really likes my work and wants me to call her about putting in some more product. BLAH!! Phone calls!!! lol This is a blessing and a curse all wrapped up into one. The blessing comes from more product in store equals more sold. The curse part being that more product equals a lot more work!! Also, the manager stated that she's thinking of going with a particular theme in the store. Uh-oh, I don't know how that will be.
Next, the government sent me a prospective jury summons for a case scheduled to begin soon. Now I am all for serving my duty as an United States citizen, but the case is expected to last three months!! Yes, three months, Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm!!! The case would continue through the date of the fashion show. Now how am I supposed to create a collection for the benefit of the American Cancer Society, start my own apparel/accessory company, keep up my freelance work, and work a stable job while I'm spending nine hours everyday at the dang courthouse which is located over an hour drive both ways!!! Keeping my fingers crossed that this case settles out of court.
Lastly, I've done some sketches for the show. These are very quick sketches just to get my ideas down. I may or may not go back & add more details. For the collection I'm thinking layered sheers contrasted with black leathers & pleathers. I'll load the sketches for everyone to see.
31 December 2009
Chapter 2 is Killing Me!! :-)
Hey Hey Everybody!!
Read Chapter 2, and it kicked my butt! lol
This chapter detailed the basic first steps of starting a fashion line-- beginning with the business plan...
And the elements of the business plan are slightly overwhelming!! Gehlhar informs the reader on the Executive summary, Company Overview, Sales Plan, Operations, Financial Projections, lions, tigers, and bears... Oh my oh freaking my!! She adamantly insists that you write your company's business plan yourself because who better to make your company exactly what you dream it to be.
A section in the chapter informs the reader on deciding what type of company to set up, whether it be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or variations of the three. Trademarking and choosing a perfect company name are briefly discussed, and hiring a business lawyer is greatly recommended. The chapter ends with a brief section informing the entrepreneur subjects including insurance, employees, hiring accountants etc.
The steps discussed in this chapter, I know, will be ridiculously difficult if I do not break them down into smaller tasks. So my goal for tonight is to break a few sections down and make a step by step list for myself. I will post it for here for everyone to see.
Read Chapter 2, and it kicked my butt! lol
This chapter detailed the basic first steps of starting a fashion line-- beginning with the business plan...
And the elements of the business plan are slightly overwhelming!! Gehlhar informs the reader on the Executive summary, Company Overview, Sales Plan, Operations, Financial Projections, lions, tigers, and bears... Oh my oh freaking my!! She adamantly insists that you write your company's business plan yourself because who better to make your company exactly what you dream it to be.
A section in the chapter informs the reader on deciding what type of company to set up, whether it be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or variations of the three. Trademarking and choosing a perfect company name are briefly discussed, and hiring a business lawyer is greatly recommended. The chapter ends with a brief section informing the entrepreneur subjects including insurance, employees, hiring accountants etc.
The steps discussed in this chapter, I know, will be ridiculously difficult if I do not break them down into smaller tasks. So my goal for tonight is to break a few sections down and make a step by step list for myself. I will post it for here for everyone to see.
23 December 2009
First Chapter
Hey Hey!!
The informative first chapter of The Fashion Designer Survival Guide included several aspects and facts that persons thinking of beginning their own fashion line should know. Some of these facts include horror (HaHa) stories and statistics on how likely a new fashion company is to fail. Such as the Small Business Association statistic that at least 50% of new business fall out within their first year! Scary!!
Readers are let in on a little of what to expect when running your own fashion company-- how much money to expect to spend, how much time the designer will have to work, business sometimes is untrustworthy etc. Let's the reader know the truth about the industry, rather than filling our heads with glitter and glam.
Before reading, I was not truly aware of how important utilizing connections and keeping open relationships are to the success of a new line. Even if someone aproaches you with an offer you can not or do not want to use at the moment stay friendly and on good terms with them-- you may want to take them up on their offer sometime in the future. No bridge burning!! lol
This first chapter taught me several useful tips. Thanks Gehlhar!
Working on Dreams,
AM
The informative first chapter of The Fashion Designer Survival Guide included several aspects and facts that persons thinking of beginning their own fashion line should know. Some of these facts include horror (HaHa) stories and statistics on how likely a new fashion company is to fail. Such as the Small Business Association statistic that at least 50% of new business fall out within their first year! Scary!!
Readers are let in on a little of what to expect when running your own fashion company-- how much money to expect to spend, how much time the designer will have to work, business sometimes is untrustworthy etc. Let's the reader know the truth about the industry, rather than filling our heads with glitter and glam.
Before reading, I was not truly aware of how important utilizing connections and keeping open relationships are to the success of a new line. Even if someone aproaches you with an offer you can not or do not want to use at the moment stay friendly and on good terms with them-- you may want to take them up on their offer sometime in the future. No bridge burning!! lol
This first chapter taught me several useful tips. Thanks Gehlhar!
Working on Dreams,
AM
21 December 2009
The Fashion Designer Survival Guide by Mary Gehlhar
Hey Hey Everyone,About a year ago I ordered this book The Fashion Designer Survival Guide: An Insider's Look at Starting and Running Your Own Fashion Business by Mary Gehlhar with Foreword by Zac Posen. She is the Fashion Division Director of Gen Art. The book is supposed to tell you how to start your own fashion business; it is going to be one of my guides throughout this endeavor.
I've scanned a couple chapters, and it seems very informative. Hopefully, it will be a great asset. I am going to read a chapter tonight, and let you guys know how it goes.
Working on Dreams,
Anna Maria
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