[mulatto401]

Hi everyone,
I am 20 now and I have been building my online business for about 2 years now. I started right when I turned 18 and I've been through lots of ups and downs.

I'm pretty good with computers so I figured I'd start an online business, so I did. Selling clothing online. As business went on and I've gone through my experiences with business I've come to a point in my business life where I'm not too sure where to go at this point regarding growth.

I sell hip hop brand name clothing like Ecko, G-Unit, Sean John and others. The problem is my direct source manufacturers are the small / no-name brand lines that are very cheap. The big name brands like the Ecko and Lot29 etc are from the "middlemen" suppliers and not direct from manufacturer.

The reason I cannot go direct with these bigger brand is simply that they require strict rules like you must have a store with x by x space, parking lot, must order $10,000 of merchandise a month. And I cannot keep up with these requirments yet.

My question is, is it possible for a small business like me to grow on the small list of suppliers I have until my business grows to meet the requirments for the real big guys?

Has anyone had any experience like this with a similar modeled business? Or past retail experience?

I currently sell on my website and on ebay as well. eBay making up for most of the sales on non-season months.

I am a web designer so I have SEO and designed my site to sell, but the problem I believe isn't selling or sales, but simply how to grow. I do not want to rely on these small suppliers to keep up my business forever.

Thanks for any input anyone has to offer.
Chris
www.iCandyClothing.com

[youngmoneyblog]

Its all about the niche. If you can reach them and convince them to buy from you.

I started a Clothing store for fraternities and sororities, and it has done well.

[mulatto401]

How long has your company been in business?

Thanks for your advice.

[silversurfer]

what's really possible is that if you get out to NYC on the train, you can hook up with brand new designers who have no stores yet.

I worked with a guy in the 1980s who had nothing but ideas. I got booths at some college events and he sold t-shirts there, we split the $$. This was pre-web and his shirts were organic back when that was considered bizarre. He stopped coming up with new ideas and I stopped calling. I don't see why you should chase the big fish for an online store when you can build a niche.

SS

[mulatto401]

Originally Posted by silversurfer

what's really possible is that if you get out to NYC on the train, you can hook up with brand new designers who have no stores yet.

I worked with a guy in the 1980s who had nothing but ideas. I got booths at some college events and he sold t-shirts there, we split the $$. This was pre-web and his shirts were organic back when that was considered bizarre. He stopped coming up with new ideas and I stopped calling. I don't see why you should chase the big fish for an online store when you can build a niche.

SS

Hmm, your right! I have been working with alot of NEW designer labels recently, some less then 2 months old. It's amazing how some of these "not so big" brands sell like crazy.

I think I will continue going after these little designer companies. Speaking of NYC, I have to go there next week to speak to a MECCA rep, opening an account with them. For those who don't know, Mecca is up there wilh Southpole and Ecko, etc.

Thanks for your input! I feel more confident now lol.

Thanks Again

[mrebrandstudios]

finding that niche or specializing in something would be great. Also having the backend taken care of to free you up to promote your goods helps. Processing, filling & shipping will limit your marketing as well as some of your time in being creative.

we process items for small businesses and large names. They all have been able to concentrate on other aspects of their business with the backend being taken care of. So do not overload your plate, because you will not be able to see the table.

[mulatto401]

Hey that is some real advice. The business was built ground up to have automation, and that is very important like you said. I think I need to become more creative, so I'll work on that. Thanks!

Hey versas, you taking notes? Should be with that texty site of yours. lol

[crackah]

Heh, Thats what im doing.... Getting the undiscovered designers

[rpendery2006]

Mulatto, I have said this 8,000,000 times on this forum. I just wanted to let you know as well:

Put the styles that you currently have on the page in a linked stylesheet and if you can, design your site tableless (using Div's). These are two things that will help with search engines for whatever that is worth to you.

Good luck...

[InfiniteIT]

Manufacturer is the key in my opinion.