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I Tried Starting A Clothing Brand With Only $1,000

Dontez Akram・46 minutes read

Dantz Acam is launching a clothing brand called "Side Quest" with an $11,000 budget, leveraging his past eCommerce success to create a premium aesthetic that targets larger influencers and wholesalers. He emphasizes organization, research on competitors, and a strategic approach to manufacturing, while inviting audience engagement throughout the process to foster continuous improvement.

Insights

  • Dantz Acam is launching a clothing brand called "Side Quest" with a budget of $11,000, leveraging his six years of eCommerce experience from his previous brand, One Love, which generated over $4 million. He aims to document the entire process to share valuable lessons learned along the way.
  • The brand seeks to create a premium, luxury aesthetic that differentiates itself from typical streetwear, with the goal of attracting larger influencers and wholesalers. Dantz emphasizes the importance of a strong brand name, which he believes is key to standing out in a saturated market, and he has crafted a mission statement that resonates with his target audience, focusing on empowering "dreamers, doers, and everyday heroes."
  • To ensure the brand's success, Dantz is taking a strategic approach to design and production, including hiring a designer, researching competitors, and utilizing platforms like Alibaba for manufacturing. He is also implementing a structured budget and payment strategy while planning for future product releases based on sales performance, highlighting the importance of quality and careful inventory management.

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Recent questions

  • What is a luxury clothing brand?

    A luxury clothing brand is a high-end fashion label that emphasizes quality, exclusivity, and premium materials. These brands often cater to affluent consumers and focus on creating unique designs that stand out in the market. Luxury clothing brands typically invest in superior craftsmanship and innovative styles, aiming to evoke a sense of prestige and status among their clientele. They may also engage in limited production runs to maintain exclusivity, and their marketing strategies often involve collaborations with high-profile influencers and celebrities to enhance brand visibility and desirability. Overall, luxury clothing brands strive to create an aspirational lifestyle that resonates with their target audience.

  • How to start a clothing line?

    Starting a clothing line involves several key steps that require careful planning and execution. First, it’s essential to define your brand identity, including your target audience and the unique selling proposition of your clothing line. Next, you should conduct market research to understand current trends and competitors in the industry. Once you have a clear vision, you can create a business plan that outlines your budget, marketing strategies, and production processes. Securing funding is crucial, whether through personal savings, loans, or investors. After that, you’ll need to design your clothing, which may involve hiring a designer or using design software. Finally, establish a production process, whether through local manufacturers or overseas suppliers, and develop a marketing strategy to promote your brand effectively. Throughout this journey, documenting your progress can provide valuable insights and help you refine your approach.

  • What is eCommerce?

    eCommerce, or electronic commerce, refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. It encompasses a wide range of online business activities, including retail sales, online marketplaces, and digital transactions. eCommerce allows consumers to shop from the comfort of their homes, providing convenience and access to a broader selection of products. Businesses can operate solely online or integrate eCommerce with physical stores. The growth of eCommerce has been fueled by advancements in technology, increased internet accessibility, and changing consumer behaviors. Key components of eCommerce include website design, payment processing, inventory management, and customer service, all of which are essential for creating a seamless shopping experience.

  • What are graphic designers?

    Graphic designers are creative professionals who use visual elements to communicate ideas and messages through various media. They work on a wide range of projects, including branding, advertising, web design, and print materials. Graphic designers combine art and technology to create visually appealing designs that effectively convey information and engage audiences. Their work often involves selecting colors, fonts, images, and layouts to create cohesive and impactful visuals. Many graphic designers are proficient in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, which allows them to bring their concepts to life. They play a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of brands and products, making their expertise essential in today’s visually-driven marketplace.

  • How to find a clothing manufacturer?

    Finding a clothing manufacturer involves several strategic steps to ensure you partner with a reliable and quality-focused supplier. Start by defining your production needs, including the type of clothing, materials, and quantities you require. Online platforms like Alibaba are popular for connecting with manufacturers, where you can use the Request for Quotation (RFQ) method to specify your requirements. It’s essential to filter your search for verified suppliers with high ratings and positive reviews to ensure quality and reliability. Once you identify potential manufacturers, request samples of their previous work to assess their craftsmanship. Communication is key, so establish clear expectations regarding timelines, costs, and production processes. Additionally, consider having backup manufacturers in case of delays or issues, especially when working across different time zones. This thorough approach will help you find a manufacturer that aligns with your brand’s vision and quality standards.

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Summary

00:00

Launching Side Quest A Journey in Fashion

  • The clothing brand being launched is called "Side Quest," with a starting budget of $11,000, and the creator, Dantz Acam, aims to document the entire process to share lessons learned along the way.
  • Dantz Acam has six years of experience in eCommerce, having generated over $4 million with his previous brand, One Love, and intends to leverage this experience to ensure the new brand's success.
  • The brand's focus is on creating a premium, luxury aesthetic that stands out from typical streetwear, aiming to attract larger influencers and wholesalers, rather than just being another casual clothing line.
  • The first step in the process is to establish a strong brand name, which Dantz believes is challenging due to the saturation of existing names; he has settled on "Side Quest" to reflect the brand's journey and mission.
  • To define the brand's mission, Dantz utilized ChatGPT to craft a statement that resonates with the target audience: "Side Quest is for the dreamers, the doers, and the everyday heroes who dare to live life on their own terms."
  • Dantz emphasizes the importance of organization and documentation, recommending the use of notes or spreadsheets to keep track of essential information as the brand develops, which is crucial for scaling the business.
  • The next step involves hiring a designer to create unique clothing designs, as Dantz prefers to outsource this task rather than design himself, allowing him to focus on other aspects of the brand.
  • He plans to reach out to at least 50 graphic designers on Instagram, using specific search terms like "graphic designer" and "DSG," to find someone whose style aligns with his vision for Side Quest.
  • Dantz identifies a designer with competitive rates: $75 for a front and back design, $90 for sweatsuits, and $20 for tech packs, ultimately deciding to pay $200 for a full set of designs, including three shirts and two pairs of jorts, with a turnaround time of 2 to 4 days.
  • After securing the designer, Dantz creates an Instagram account for Side Quest, settling on the handle "sidequestoreclothing" due to the unavailability of simpler options, and plans to establish a TikTok account as well, while also setting up a Google account for brand communications.

11:37

Side Quest Brand Strategy and Development Plan

  • The brand name chosen is "Side Quest," with the email set up as "sidequestoreclo" for social media consistency across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, ensuring brand recognition.
  • Design work for the brand is expected to take 2 to 4 days, with video content planned to be between 45 minutes to an hour long, inviting audience feedback for continuous improvement.
  • Research on competitors is essential, focusing on premium brands like "Hellstar" and "Soul Boy" to analyze their aesthetics, social media strategies, and customer engagement for inspiration.
  • High-quality content and specific photo shoot styles, including the use of jerseys and crop t-shirts, are identified as trending items that should be incorporated into the brand's offerings.
  • The initial brand strategy involves selling bundles of products to increase the average order value from $20 to $80, leveraging previous experience from a past brand that generated $10,000 in pre-orders without ads.
  • The designer has provided initial mockups, including a long sleeve shirt and jorts, with a focus on using cursive fonts for an elegant brand aesthetic, and a high GSM (300 GSM) for quality shirts.
  • Feedback on designs is ongoing, with adjustments requested for color schemes and aesthetics, including a preference for white acid-wash shirts and the removal of gray borders from designs.
  • The app "Procreate" is utilized for design work, with fonts sourced from "defont.com," and a specific cursive font named "The Falcon" is chosen for branding.
  • The budget for design work has reached $800, with considerations for sample costs and a strategy to focus on fewer items for the initial product release, ideally launching 2 to 4 items.
  • Future product releases will be based on sales performance, with plans to restock successful items or introduce new colorways, ensuring a strategic approach to brand growth and inventory management.

23:22

Navigating Clothing Production with Alibaba Strategies

  • The process of reaching out to manufacturers is straightforward, with a focus on using Alibaba.com, particularly targeting manufacturers in China for clothing production.
  • It is essential to avoid paying manufacturers outside of Alibaba, using methods like Western Union, and instead utilize Alibaba's payment system, PayPal, or Remitly to prevent scams.
  • A recommended payment strategy is the "one-third method," where one-third of the payment is made upfront, another third after receiving progress updates, and the final third upon shipment.
  • When searching for manufacturers on Alibaba, utilize the Request for Quotation (RFQ) method to specify your needs, including product type, quality, and budget.
  • Filter search results on Alibaba to find verified suppliers with a minimum rating of 4.7 stars and a solid track record, ensuring they meet quality and shipping criteria.
  • Always request pictures and videos of the manufacturer's previous work to assess quality, and consider their years in business as a reliability indicator.
  • After contacting multiple manufacturers, one stood out for producing high-quality varsity jackets, despite not having experience with leather zip-up jackets.
  • The cost for a sample from the chosen manufacturer is $150, which is a significant portion of the $800 budget, prompting consideration of pre-orders to manage expenses.
  • A swatch book is recommended for selecting colors and fabrics, allowing precise color choices before production begins, and additional costs for custom zippers may arise.
  • Communication with manufacturers can be slow, and it is advised to have backup manufacturers ready in case of delays or issues, especially when working across different time zones.

34:58

Brand Building Challenges and Future Plans

  • The speaker faced significant challenges while scaling their brand, including a $60,000 inventory investment where half was damaged due to rain, resulting in a loss of sellable products. They emphasized the importance of quality, noting that products made in China are superior to those from Pakistan, which affects brand perception.
  • They are currently working with a manufacturer, having negotiated the cost of samples down to $420 from an initial $450, plus $32 in taxes and fees, bringing the total to approximately $450. The speaker is tracking expenses closely, with a current budget of $800 and a total expenditure of $620 so far, including $200 for designs.
  • The speaker plans to document their journey in a vlog-style format, inviting viewer feedback on what to showcase in future episodes. They also hinted at upcoming content, including a photo shoot with influencers, and encouraged viewers to subscribe and engage with the series.
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