[r.b_boi]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site, so bear with me if my etiquette isn't where it should be.

Ever since the last six months I have wanted to open a high(er) end streetwear store....but my desire to open a clothing store goes back as far as five years ago. I always knew that a clothing store was my destiny because it combines my love for clothes with business. Also I really got into urban/rock streetwear within the last three years and I have been getting compliments on my style of dress as well as taste in clothes (I was even voted best dressed and most unique in high school along with my best female friend.....who I often dressed). Anyway, I was debating on where to start a store.....New York (preferrably Harlem, where the brands I am intrested in carrying would definitely be embraced) or Atlanta (where there arent many stores that carry higher end/limited edition clothing)...im still sort of on the fence, but Im leaning more towards Atlanta because i think there is a larger untapped market for higher end brands, especially those that are made in limited edition. So i keep talking about higher end streetwear just to get an idea of the type of brands that i am referring to here are a few links

http://bbcicecream.com/store/bbc_index.html

http://kidrobot.com/products.cfm?dep...&typ=OUTERWEAR

as well as several others....Now come the big question: Where do I start....I mean I just purchased the book The Science of Shopping, to get a more precise understanding of why and how people shop....hopefully this will help me more clearly define my target customer. Now do contact a lawyer to legally create the business entity or should I begin writing a business plan?

Thank you all sooooo much for your help,

Rawlins

[philv]

nice post and welcome

i love clothes myself

do you think in ATL people will want to purchase high end merchandise? in NYC it is the mecha,....so make sure there is a call for it....

start writing the plan and come up with all angles and ideas

then after you got it down....take it to the next step

[r.b_boi]

i was talking to my father, a close friend (who also stays in atlanta), and cousin (who honestly would be my target customer) and they were all saying that it would be better to startup in atlanta and possibly expand to NY....my close friend kinda really got me thinking about atlanta when she said that although Atlanta may be down south, it is still a major city and the black mecca....not to mention there are many that can afford to pay those prices (like my cousin and a lot of his friends)....regardless of where i start the store, part of what will give the store its character is that many of the brands are underground or unavailable (at least in large quantities) to the area...for example kidrobot is produced in very limited quantities (about 256 of every style made) and that the spirit i intend to carry over to my store....my target customer (a lot like myself) doesnt want to walk through lenox mall, down lexington, or 125th street, or peachtree and see someone else with the same thing on....you kinda understand what i'm saying?

[philv]

with that being said, do it...if you want to stand out and not be the same..that is a good way of putting it...i would put that on your store windows or something....my friend lives near atlanta...so yeah...i would start in the ATL since you are down there, if all goes well expand

[mdogg3]

Yea man I suggest you start up in Atlanta. NYC is much too saturated in that market right now. They have a kidrobot store/ Bape store and countless other boutique type stores. Have you done research on getting accounts with kid robot and BBC/ Bape? its not as easy as it seems. Im a streetwear/ sneakerhead and know the type of store your envisioning and think it would do well in atlanta. Goodluck
-Matt

[Will]

Be weary of the costs, its not just about where you think is best.

Where can you afford to set up? Do you have the money to buy floorspace for your shop? Do you have clothes that you are able to get hold of at the right price to sell?

I like clothes too, and import some styles from China for some extra money, but you need to understand that opening a shop is more than just choosing where is best. It looks like you are pretty determined to do it and thats great, but make sure you know the financial risks that are involved.

[r.b_boi]

Thank you so much for your advice, I've taken all of your points into consideration...

I haven't gotten all the financial stuff together, I know it won't be cheap though, but all that I planned on taking care of when I do my business plan.

In regards to obtaining accounts with brands such as bape and KIDROBOT I know they would be rather challenging, so does anyone have any suggestions regarding how to "crack the ice" with them, you know get them to sign me as an authorized retailer?

Also, does anyone know of any good consulting agencies that write business plans and financial estimates, while I want to hire someone to write a fairly detailed plan, I also want to be an integral part of its conception...

[r.b_boi]

...any takers

[ProLogic]

Me and my friend are starting a clothing line. Its going to be like urban/punk style of clothing. We're talking to a few printing shops already. We actually have ordered clothes that our models will be wearing. We are located in the Bay area. The designs are made by myself and another friend. Our name is Tuo-Tuo and you can check out our myspace at: www.myspace.com/63309352. We currently have a website in the cuts right now and will be releasing it once we get our desired domain.

[r.b_boi]

Oh okay, ill take a look at your clothes and get back with you if I like your products

[FormPay]

Once you get your business plan written up, send it to BAPE, KIDROBOT, etc and let them know you would like to become an authorize reseller and you are in the process of opening a clothing store up in Atlanta. If you have any other smaller companies you already have accounts with, use them as references.

As for business plan writers, there a many companies out there that do this. try googling terms like "Custom Business Plans" or "Business Plan Writers" and see what you come up with.

Good luck on your venture!