Need advice on starting up an online clothing boutique

**RachelM** · 05-29-2008 10:47 AM

As a recent college graduate, I am looking into starting up my own business. I eventually would like to have a brick-n-mortar boutique, but for just starting out I have been told and think it's safe to start on the internet first. I have nothing planned out yet because I guess I don't know much where to start. Can somebody that has experience with this give me help/suggestions? Thanks so much!

**BusinessAdviser** · 05-29-2008 11:17 AM

Have you worked in a boutique clothing store before? If not, that's the place to start, even if you want to start just online. You'll learn the business side of it, which is the most important and difficult part of it all.

**noumenon** · 05-29-2008 11:22 AM

My first suggestion is to go to your local library and get a few books on starting a small business. Even if you only browse through them, they will be filled with helpful hints.
Here are some of the basics, though, to get you started:

1. Make sure you're a legal business entity. It costs about $10 to file for a DBA (Doing Business As) which is essentially a piece of paper that allows you to act as a business. Or you can get incorporated in some form.

2. Draw up a business plan. You need to know, to the best of your knowledge, exactly how much everything is going to cost and what kind of potential problems you may run into. One of the biggest mistakes people make is getting into a business without really knowing what they'll have to spend or how long it will take to get open. Then they end up bleeding dry before their business ever gets off it's feet. Be careful to plan everything out on paper. From the building you want to rent and the taxes you'll have to pay, all the way down to the scissors you're going to buy.

3. Have a marketing plan as well. It's not enough to get a store up and say "we're open!" you have to know how you want to market yourself and how much of a marketing budget you'll have available.

4. Talk to some people who have started the same type of business and ask them for advice. Obviously you're going to want to avoid speaking to direct competition, though, because they won't likely want to help you.

Good luck and best wishes.