Looking for biz partners / mentors for biz in fashion retailing

Hi there! I'm interested to start a business in the fashion retailing industry (think Forever21, Topshop, ASOS)
Looking for mentors and potential biz partners who might be interested in the biz idea. Anyone with any of the following experiences / expertise or who simply have passion for fashion pls contact me via the PM system. Thank you!

- Business / Fashion education backgrd
- Experience in fashion retailing / fashion design
- Experience in starting a retail business
- Web design (with shopping cart function)

Sorry, I can't help you directly here.

But what idea do you have? Do you intend to do something to stand out from the crowd of retailers already out there?

haha no worries! no major ideas as of yet therefore hoping to find like minded ppl before exploring possibilities.

Well, I did have an idea of selling unique designer shirts.

Here is the discussion thread for my idea: http://www.ssuf.biz/starting-a-new-business-f8/im-looking-to-start-a-blog-shop-t36.htm

oh yea i saw dat haha! not exactly wad i hv in mind though! thks nonetheless! =)

Then what do you have in mind? I always wonder how one clothes shop differenciates itself from the next one. Unless you girls buy a piece from every shop, it's tough competition for fashion retail right?

I source for fashion apparel and sell them online.
My target is the young people who follow fashion trend in Korea/Japan/Taiwan/HK. In Singapore a bigger mass follows that trend.
Of course, alot of watching what young people wears is required.
Find a friend who is good with fashion sense. I personally am not very good, but my sister is. So before I place an order for anything, I get my sister to review first.

Good luck Mel!

Live your big dream!

Posts : 7 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-07-15

hi MEI,

always nice to hear about aspiring youths,like you..

I too,have a retailing idea and have existing source for male casual wear.
however,i am keen to explore other opportunities.

I am not keen,however to pursue General Trading(sourcing) type of business due to
undifferentiated business models,unless i can find a unique or creative way of selling..

i am new to entrepreneurship and humbly willing to learn from anyone,young or old. Smile

do u have a website or anyway to keep in contact?email?

thanks!

Last edited by melodytps on Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:23 am; edited 1 time in total

Hi pointbreaker..

Sounds like we have something in common... im not looking at sourcing type of biz bcoz of the difficulty to differentiate oneself...

I'm new to entrepreneurship as well so we could learn from each other =)

Do contact me at **** (edited for my privacy haha!)

Posts : 7 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-07-15

Thank You, MEI

Hope to kp in touch soon

rgds

This ís interesting..
I got designers with me working on some casual wears..
It had not being realised yet as we met with lotsa hiccups during our early learning process..

Currently, I am into sellable, cost effective strategies & planning action plans for new businesses to boost up their sales..
let me know how I can add value to your planning or to aid in your adventures..

Posts : 7 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-07-15

Hi Inle,

its good to know you have designers on hand.u control the ideas and upstream costs

You mentioned that you're into "Sellable,Cost Effective and Planning" action plans?hmm..Sounds like the ideal marketing plan for any retail biz

Would u be keen to explore together?i am currently exploring "Blue Ocean" type of ideas..i think i have one but im not sure..perhaps if ure agreeable,we can exchange contacts and friendship for now first?

let me know..teacher.. Smile

rgds
Pointbreaker

Posts : 7 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-07-15

hi MEI,

I have dropped you an email.

If u received it, do reply me or simply acknowledge..

have a gd weekend!

rgds
Pointbreaker

pointbreaker wrote:: Hi Inle,

its good to know you have designers on hand.u control the ideas and upstream costs

You mentioned that you're into "Sellable,Cost Effective and Planning" action plans?hmm..Sounds like the ideal marketing plan for any retail biz

Would u be keen to explore together?i am currently exploring "Blue Ocean" type of ideas..i think i have one but im not sure..perhaps if ure agreeable,we can exchange contacts and friendship for now first?

let me know..teacher..

rgds
Pointbreaker

Thank you for the acknowledgement..
I dare not to be anyone's teacher but it is certainly too formal for me..
& I can't teach ya..

I heard about Blue Ocean Strategy but I had not read indepth about it yet so I cant comment..
Maybe you can share your ideas with us ya..

My methods are tested & proved by many marketeers & consultants in the trade & are simple, direct, hit-on-the-spot, no-gimmick kind that are result-based..
& I realised that McDonald is using them all the while..

However, it is not a One-Size-Fit-All magic trick & there are various steps to reach a costumized overall long term strategies & campaigns for different companies even in the same industry..
and nope, there is NO short cut or NO guarantee formula..
we can jux only IMPROVE the odds..

it will be good to know each other first..
it will be good to get more people coming in this forum to share more..

Posts : 7 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-07-15

hi Inle,

As long as u have working strategy that suits your business model,then thats great.

Blue Ocean is about thinking out of the Box and breaking out of current ways of doing your type of business to create totally new markets and customers..

haha..if u wish to continue reading it,,then i wont divulge more..but if u wish to explore our ideas based on brainstorming different strategies,then i will be happy to do so..objective is to share and adopt best strategy to maximise ROI and minimize risks.. Smile

rgds
Stephen

hi inle... we might be able to work sumtin out.. left u a pm with my email addy =)

thank you..
I figure if we can meet up soon..
I always prefer to meet face to face as it will reveal more than the words we see & the things we hear..

Or at least this is what I experienced so far..

Btw regarding this retail business, what's the motivation?

Posts : 7 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-07-15

hi Inle,

thank you.

Well, i came across some ideas recently which i thought might be worth a try.
its more of an Inspiration which i read how some retail business became successful and the management's desire & ability to manage it well.

I have no retail background but im always interested to understand how retail business worked especially the successful ones.

Im not in a rush to 'push' it through but its a learning process for me..

what about u?

Posts : 7 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-07-15

Also,i've also got some other ideas but im not an expert in all,so i am sourcing for good mentors or someone with experience in the following:

1. Development of a product for the Physically & Visually Disabled
2. Development of a Web-based Service provider business
3. Development of a Web Based Retail business
4. Development of an interactive CRM based business (similar to 2 but different market)

Unfortunately im unable to disclose more in details as i only wish to target the right or relevant people to speak to..but,having said that..any suggestions is welcome.

Basically,im looking for any mentoring that can help me to cement an idea from birth to fruition..i have to admit its not easy and i'm humble to learn.At this stage,It does not matter if the outcome of projects above is monetary successful or not,as long as it is viable and made marketable to serve customers needs, with a robust business model.i believe fundamentals drive the rewards.

Your sharing can be in the form of web info,links,useful tips,personal experiences,or even if you are also brainstorming similar ideas..lets synergize...anything counts.. Smile

Anyone sincere to share?

my contact email is: business128@gmail.com

thank you in advance!

Pointbreaker

Hello. I'm happy to see that SSuF could link you guys up, and have this kind of healthy discussion.

I'll vouch for inle's expertise. I met him already.

SSuF Admin wrote:: Hello. I'm happy to see that SSuF could link you guys up, and have this kind of healthy discussion.

I'll vouch for inle's expertise. I met him already.

Thank you, SSuF Admin..

we were just sharing & learning from each other in a VERY INFORMAL DISCUSSION & I had learnt much from you too..

I am very glad that I had added some value to you that are beneficial, effective & actionable that can work for you during that meet-up..

I don't have much success yet to boast off, so I really cant qualify as someone's mentor or somethîng like that..
I will then like to share what I can add value & see if we can explore any possiblilies & opportunities together..

I wonder how we going to work on this retail business?

Posts : 6 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-09-11

That sounds interesting. I'm currently in retail line and have been in the fashion line for some time. Though i'm still facing problems as of present, do let me know if i can be of any help. =)

What challenges are you facing currently?
Maybe we can help out?

joyce580111 wrote:: That sounds interesting. I'm currently in retail line and have been in the fashion line for some time. Though i'm still facing problems as of present, do let me know if i can be of any help. =)

Posts : 6 Reputation : 0 Join date : 2009-09-11

cashflow. hah... long story but it will be great if we can get some investors to come in. However, my fashion biz is an e-commerce. my shop retail is dealing with skincare.