Fashion Business

22 Tips For Starting A Successful Fashion Business (2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: January 19th, 2023

Want to start your own fashion business? Here are some tips you should know:

Learn more about starting a fashion business:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a fashion business?
-> Pros and cons of a fashion business

Need inspiration?

-> Other fashion business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a fashion business
-> Fashion business slogans
-> Fashion business names
-> Fashion business Instagram bios
-> Fashion business Instagram captions

Other resources

-> Profitability of a fashion business
-> Blog post ideas for a fashion business
-> Fashion business quotes

We've interviewed thousands of successful founders at Starter Story and asked what advice they would give to entrepreneurs who are just getting started.

Here's the best advice we discovered for starting a fashion business:

#1: Drew McNamara, founder of Creative Souls:

We chatted with with Drew, founder of Creative Souls ($1K/month). In our interview, Drew says:

Don’t let others tell you that you can’t do something. You have to believe in yourself and really be willing to put in the work.

Additionally:

I’ve seen plenty of ups and downs. I have thought to myself, should I give up and do what a normal 25 years old would do?

Read the full interview ➜

#2: Cotilda Makhumula-Nkhoma , founder of Cotilda's Fashion Limited:

We chatted with with Cotilda, founder of Cotilda's Fashion Limited ($1.14K/month). In our interview, Cotilda says:

Do your best to create a good honest relationship with your customers, staff as after all business is for people and takes time to build.

Additionally:

Asking for help and advice is great, it is another form of learning from mistakes and achievements. However, what happens to others does not mean it will also happen to you.

Read the full interview ➜

#3: Tanya Zhang, founder of Nimble Made:

We chatted with with Tanya, founder of Nimble Made ($5K/month). In our interview, Tanya says:

There are so many obstacles to overcome and take on on a daily basis and having the perseverance to get through them is, honestly, most of the battle.

Read the full interview ➜

#4: Jocelyn Thompson, founder of EPIPHANY LA:

We chatted with with Jocelyn, founder of EPIPHANY LA ($40K/month). In our interview, Jocelyn says:

I’ve launched a variety of swimsuits and I’m currently working on a second style of padding insert and an activewear line.

Additionally:

Amazon can be a great vetting process to understand which products resonate most with your customers.

Read the full interview ➜

#5: Jocelyn Thompson, founder of EPIPHANY LA:

We chatted with with Jocelyn, founder of EPIPHANY LA ($40K/month). In our interview, Jocelyn says:

I had a check for $15K to start. I was too scared to take out another loan on top of my student loans and $15K seemed like so much money at the time. Now I look back at this, laugh, and wish I had trusted myself more.

Read the full interview ➜

#6: Judith Treanor, founder of Temples and Markets:

We chatted with with Judith, founder of Temples and Markets ($6K/month). In our interview, Judith says:

It can take years and years to see sustainable income from your business, and those years will be full of ups and downs.

Additionally:

Do take time out for yourself and enjoy the things that bring you happiness, and try and balance life and work.

Read the full interview ➜

#7: Judith Treanor, founder of Temples and Markets:

We chatted with with Judith, founder of Temples and Markets ($6K/month). In our interview, Judith says:

If something doesn’t work, try something else, particularly when it comes to marketing. Every business is different so Instagram, for instance, might work for some but not for everyone.

Read the full interview ➜

#8: Betsy DeVille, founder of Betsy DeVille:

We chatted with with Betsy, founder of Betsy DeVille ($100/month). In our interview, Betsy says:

Get used to failure and embrace it.

Read the full interview ➜

#9: Judith Treanor, founder of Temples and Markets:

We chatted with with Judith, founder of Temples and Markets ($6K/month). In our interview, Judith says:

Listen to your intuition, your own wisdom. Shut out the naysayers or the know-it-alls, unless you genuinely feel they can add value to your business story.

Read the full interview ➜

#10: Betsy DeVille, founder of Betsy DeVille:

We chatted with with Betsy, founder of Betsy DeVille ($100/month). In our interview, Betsy says:

When you open your order from me, I don’t want you to be satisfied, I want you to be absolutely delighted!

Additionally:

Create small goals and celebrate those achievements. If you are a sole proprietor, there won’t be anyone there to tell you, “good job!” So make sure you tell yourself.

Read the full interview ➜

#11: Judith Treanor, founder of Temples and Markets:

We chatted with with Judith, founder of Temples and Markets ($6K/month). In our interview, Judith says:

Your business will evolve and success rarely comes overnight. Be patient. Be resilient and be open to change.

Read the full interview ➜

#12: Anders Ankarlid, founder of AGood Company:

We chatted with with Anders, founder of AGood Company ($220K/month). In our interview, Anders says:

What do you want to be remembered for? If you want to create something which your customers love, you need to spend time talking to them, ensuring you know your market's wants and needs.

Additionally:

We win when we do things with our hearts. Similarly, when we create content that we truly are passionate about, the result is great. This is because it's truthful. It’s something we believe in.

Read the full interview ➜

#13: Garret "Buddy" Lamp, founder of Knee Deep Limited LLC:

We chatted with with Garret, founder of Knee Deep Limited LLC ($40K/month). In our interview, Garret says:

There is no better way to increase your following and sales then by simply going out and meeting your target market. Go find events that your target market will be at, and go get your name out there face to face!

Additionally:

Social media advertising is so cheap right now. Not only that, but you can precisely pick customers in your target market. Take advantage while you can.