Know-How Exchange : Strategy

Very few dry cleaners offer alterations and repairs anymore-- a service that is missed and needed. Fusion market with them so they can offering tailoring, thru you and not have their own on staff. You can also contact other clothing stores to provide this service. This will give you a steady base of business.

Fusion marketing is a very good way to "get the word out" without spending a lot of money. Find businesses you can pull sales thru -- and create multiple sales for you, thru one sales relationship.

Spend a lot of time creating a biz plan. In this case I'd focus on the financials and your niche. Since you will be hiring the designers and tailors, you need to know the volume you need to pay for each. Your cash flow will be critical here.

As far as niche, age 15 thru working woman is very wide and their tastes can vary wildly. I dress young for my age but I won't be wearing what my 15 yo granddaughter wears. She can pull off stuff I'd look like a clown in-- and if she wore what I wear her mother would kill her. Working your biz plan you might drill a bit deeper. It doesn't have to be age-- but type. Such as Guess goes after the "clubbers", BeBe can be anything from sexy to professional with an edge-- body conscious women (critics say skinny) is what their financial statement says. Stores like Cache, Ann Taylor and Talbot target the same age group, but totally different looks.

Coordinating with charities and non-profit organizations is a great way to get the word out without a major financial investment in advertising. Some ideas that come to mind include: offering free tailoring in conjunction with the Dress for Success program, which provides gently used professional clothing to needy women; or donating dresses to a low-income school district's prom; or providing fashion show merchandise for a fundraising event - many causes host fashion shows or auctions to raise money, and either of these would be a great way to get your merchandise in front of people.

With all of the above, be sure to get name recognition for the merchandise or services you provide, and send a press release out to the local media.

Beyond that, I agree with Carol, and think you need to streamline your target audience a bit more; try doing some research by walking around a local mall or boutique area to guage the styles of clothing sold in successful (and unsuccessful) locations. And survey your friends, family - they can be a huge help.