Where do I start with starting?

[LongLiveNelk]

I'm dedicated to starting up my own clothing brand. I've got most of the supplies to start pushing out product but where exactly do I start? 

[DinaLRosenberg]

I think it really depends on your brand and image. A bespoke, high end brand will have a different marketing strategy then brands that are niche and more affordable.

One of my favorite local brands here in NY is called Locals Only. They design sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats and stickers with designs that relate to Long Island. They do limited releases that sell out in 10 minutes. They market on Instagram and via text. They have a huge social media component and do weekly scavenger hunts. 

With that being said....

Obviously step 1 you're going to need a website.

Then you need to decide are you selling direct to consumer or are you selling wholesale to other retailers or are you doing both.

If you even thing you want to do both or eventually sell wholesale you need to be very deliberate with your pricing. Nothing annoys me more as a retailer when a small, home grown brand has a great product but no idea of wholesale to retail margins. Your retail price should be the same for everyone- you and stores that carry you.

So for example:

If the price to print a t-shirt was $8 and I wanted to sell it to customers at $40 that means I would have to sell it at wholesale for $20 so retailers can also set it for $40. Retailers want keystone pricing- that means they'll double their money. However, you need to decide if a $12 profit per shirt is a reasonable amount for you to make money & stay in business.

What you need to do is run some feasibility studies on your business assumption but again, that depends upon how you want to sell and where,..