So, you have decided to work from home and start a boutique. Once you have taken the decision to get into the boutique business, it is important to draft out a checklist, to see what you need to get a head start in the business! We have made your task easy by compiling a checklist for you!
The Price FactorDon't forget that you are running a business. You may love designing, enjoy the fact that you have lots of clients, and may even be tempted to sell thngs at reasonable prices to attract more customers. But, you are in business to make a profit. So, how you do your pricing is crucial.
To reach a viable price you will need to calculate your overheads as well. Add all the costs and divide them by the number of pieces to reach an average.We will tell you how.
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Fabric |
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Tailoring |
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Designing |
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Profit margin |
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Packing / stationery costs |
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Dyeing / embroidery |
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Trimmings eg lace, ribbon, sequins etc |
Marketing your Boutique
Once you have set up the boutique, you will need to market it in order to sustain your business. Most start-ups don't have large budgets for advertising / marketing, so we will give you a list of low cost, yet effective ways to market your business:
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Word of mouth. Your satisfied clients are your best publicity |
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Send a Newsletter via e mail to your clients and target customers |
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Cloth Banners |
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Posters in stores |
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Coffee mornings |
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Local ladies clubs |
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Exhibitions |
If your budget allows, you may want to consider the following means of marketing your Boutique:
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Participate in fairs / shows |
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Hoardings |
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Print brochures / leaflets |
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TV ads, through your local cable operator. |
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Print advertisement: magazines / newspapers / travel booklets / yellow pages |
Value Additions
If you are running a boutique, you don't have to always limit yourself to clothes. There are value additions and special services that you can provide to your clients.
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If catering to women's wear, you can also stock co-ordinated accessories like handbags costume jewellery, footwear etc. |
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Provide your expertise and personal advice. You will be amazed to see how many women are unsure about themselves, when it comes to dressing. Share you knowledge / expertise, guide them on which colour / cut will look good on them, what fabric would be the most suitable etc. |
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Tailoring, alterations, attaching saree falls etc can all be offered as additional services. |
More Pointers.
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Listen to customer feedback and alter your stock to suit the demand.
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Keep abreast with the latest trends / colours in fashion. Subscribe to fashion magazines. |
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Don't tuck your boutique away in an obscure corner. It should be approachable, visible and should have an attractive window display. |
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Locate wholesale suppliers for buttons, trimmings etc. You can reduce your costs by doing so. |
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Polish your networking skills, to ensure returning customers. |
And, you are in business!
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The role and responsibility of entrepreneurs is changing as India changes. This is an important issue to think about, because the nature of entrepreneurship is different in India- it is more complex, complicated and more granular than the West. 
List out business ideas and make your choice. Once you have identified your business idea, find out what you will require eg. Staff, inventory, storage space, communication network, stationary etc 