Try using materials that you have readily available and then apply them to your product.
Don’t be afraid of people who might steal your idea. They’re not going to.
Small business development centers and the agency SCORE are great free resources.
Don’t spend money on things that don’t make you money
Do research online. What similar products are there?
She believes it takes one or two years research before going into production.
Get a focus group of women and offer free food and wine. Have a friend bring friends you don’t know so that you get a better, more fair evaluation. Teachers are good for focus groups. 10 people in the group is the maximum.
Ask focus ideas, color, improvements, styles, that they would like to suggest.
Get participants to sign a release form.
Facebook groups can be a good place to get opinions.
Go to websites that identify health problems that your product might solve.
Forms are fine as long as you are not trying to sell anyone anything.
Where will you buy the raw goods? Who will make the product? These are two huge questions and it takes time to find the answer.
Designers can be found in trade journals.
Some pattern makers are also designers. You get a two for one.
Community colleges can also help with cheap labor.
Sell direct to consumers and wholesalers.
Haralee started selling her products on her own website.
You will need to set up a website.
At this point you could do a kickstarter campaign. You can also raise money through family and friends or take a loan from a bank.
It will take $7k-$10k to get a clothing product to this level.
Don’t do TV unless you have enough product.
You better plan in advance how quickly you can get to certain level.
Market in local newspapers and get exposure.
The fact that you are a baby boomer is a good story for newspapers.
You make 10 products. Test them and then redesign when necessary.
At this point you could order $2k-$3k of product. Not more.
Decide how you’re going to sell. Resellers, Amazon, EBay, specialty shops etc.
Sell your product in every way you can think of.
You can offer your product on consignment if needed.
You need to get all the exposure you can and as quickly as possible.
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