Thursday, May 10, 2007

Sourcing Issues

Experiencing challenges sourcing materials from small time vendors. Interestingly we have to produce 1st line of apparel with designs that leverage materials that can be reliably sourced. At least until we have enough volume to justify going directly to the source or better still manufacture in-house.

Another issue is sourcing from multiple small time vendors. 3 at last count. We can't avoid this right now given the niche space we're in. A space with few vendors and limited selections. This piece meal approach is expensive and time consuming.

At this rate we'll have our line out in the winter.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Watching Paint Dry

Things having been moving at a snail pace. Daytime gig taking up too much of spare time. Or more like I don't see enough dollar signs yet with the startup.

Began work on basic stuff while waiting for imported materials to arrive for limited production.

1. Administrative stuff - bank accounts, shipping, tax ids etc. Haven't made any sales yet but local and fed tax authorities already calling.
2. Created new brand for clothing line
3. Signed up with logo development co, logoworks. Should have completed logo in a week.
4. Working with California Designer to create 2 new prototypes
5. Talking to web developers for ecommerce site development, apparently this is their "xmas season so its taking 60-90days to complete orders.
6. In parallel, Setting up a photoshoot
7. Working with a Fashion photographer and modelling agency( I want an upscale image for the line)

I'm now operating in the world of the beautiful people models, exotic locations, swag. Only need to start making money to complete the picture.

Seriously, I'm more concerned with developing a print brochure first while my journey men ecommerce developers get there act together. The brochure can help tell the story when I meet with potential JV partners in the next few weeks.

The goal is to set up an International JV with manufacturing done in our target local market. This retail play is all about emerging markets and the aspirations of the emerging middle class. Its not about opening the 1 millionth ecommerce retail store. If we operate only as a US based e-tailer, I don't see how we can rise above the many mom and pop operations out here. Basically this wouldn't be worth doing.

To be successful we have to get serious buy-in to operate on the scale that will allow us to operate in and target emerging market customers.