Help with Starting Shoe Line

Congratulations, A.! If you do this, you are truly living the American Dream! I have no advice for you but wanted to let you know that there is an incredible show on cable called The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.(sp?) He has people on who have been successful in creating their own businesses. My husband and I have seen so many famous people on there, as well as little people, like us. He has people on who have created a stellar product, like the Magic Bullet, giving advice and insight into how they have accomplished their goals. At the end of the show, they have a new product on and have the professional guests that have been on, rate it and say whether it will make it or if not, what they need to do to make it work. It is a really cool and informational show. It will motivate you and teach you lots! Good luck to you and I will be looking for those shoes, girl!

Congratulations on your new adventure.
When I started my business the first thing I did was enlist the services of a vision coach who had great connections. Her name is Katana Abbott with www.smartwomenscoaching.com They have weekly encouragement sessions. Brainstorming with people in the marketing business and authors who have regular articles in Oprah magazine. She is one woman who definitely can get you on the right track. If you decide to contact her just tell her M. sent you. She literally took my busines to a whole new level.
M.
Crossing Your Bridge

I just want to say good for you! I don't have much advice to give but I love hearing people go for their dreams. When we are kids we think we can do anything but too often we grow up into adults who don't think we can do a darn thing. Good luck!

In my mind your question is mighty general. Are you looking to design the shoes or sell the shoes, (two different things) or both? What is your college background in? IF you have design experience and know-how I would bring my designs to some people in the business and get their feedback. I would talk to people who are in the business of actually making the shoes. There might be some good resources for you at the merchandise mart. You might consider working as an apprentice for somebody who is an expert in the field. There are a lot of up and coming designers in Chicago, I would research them and set up some meetings to talk. They could give you much better pointers I think then you'll find on Mamasource. (no offense mama's).

Hi! First of all, congratulations! This is a wonderful challenge that you are taking on - what a great new chapter in your life! I started my own business 5 years ago and have been growing it ever since. I am happy to share any advice that you might need.

The first thing you'll want to do when getting started is identify your key players - a business attorney, an accountant, and a banker. These players will be crucial to the success of your business. Your area of expertise will be the product and how to market it - surround yourself with experts in these other areas and your business will be that much stronger. They'll advise you on all the things you need to know - like how to incorporate your business, how to file all of your taxes, and even work with you on credit lines to support your growth.

You'll also want to visit the bookstore or a website like Amazon and pick up some books about starting a small business. Read everything you can! Knowledge is power. Most of these books will recommend that you prepare a business plan and can give you step-by-step instructions on how to do so.

Once you incorporate your business, give your company a name, and prepare your business plan, you'll be ready to roll! Start small by contacting local boutiques about carrying your line. You'll find that most small shops like this have owners who love to support other small businesses. They can be your best ally! And word of mouth is everything - once you get into a couple of shops, gain some buzz - then the business will also start coming to you.

After this, my biggest piece of advice is to trust your instincts! They won't fail you.

Good luck!! And happy shoe shopping to us all!

The SBA (small business administration) has a wonderful website devoted to people who want to start thier own company. It has loan opportunities and various workshops. It will walk you through the steps of starting out and also works in conjunction with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) who will give you the opportunity to work with a counselor. You can also sign up for thier newsletter. Just google SBA and you will get the home page. Good Luck!
Oh, and it's all free!

Sigrid is right, getting into the fashion business and being successful in it is very difficult. Honestly, your biggest asset will be if you have personal contacts that you can use to your advantage. Also, a degress in fashion merchandising and design is imperative. Jimmy Choo comes from a highly influential family. This is her single biggest asset. Knowing people and having financial backing are what get you the next level - it's who you know, not what you know.

I would find a local clothing designer to do an intership with to get you some experience. Granted it not shoes but it's something. Most clothing designers not only design the clothing but also hand make the product. Shoes is entirely different. You may be able to design them but then you have to have them made. A trip to Italy may be order to do that if you're looking to create a high-end product. Research and find out what your manufacturing options are. Find out what it specifically takes for them to manufacturer a shoe line for you. What mimimum orders do they require, what do they require to open an account, what quantites do you have to order in, etc.

I think it sounds very exciting but you're also taking on a dubious task that I'm assuming takes a substantial finanical commitment. You have to be willing to put these things forth and realize it's not going to happen overnight. I wish you much luck in your career pursuits.

Hopefully you have a background in small business management to start out. Next, design a couple or few pair and find a shoesmith/leather crafter to construct the prototypes. Pick your colors, prototypes, materials, etc. When they're completed, I would go "online" to take orders and sell until your brand name is wide spread enough to open your own boutique. A lawyer friend would be nice also. Good luck honey

I think one of the best things to do is go back to school for design and business. Otherwise I think you would need to either get hooked with a shoe design company. If you would like to do this on your own it could get very expensive and a great risk. Get a prototype made of your designs and then either sell your designs to brand companies (ex: nike). You could also try to sell your shoes designs to stores (ex: Macy's or Walmart) for them to sell but then you have to have the orders manufactured. You could also start your own line and try to sell them via mail order. You could have a web page and also send out millions of small catalogs with your line of shoes.
Design and fashion is a tough field. I wish you the best of luck.

S.

I don't know anything about shoes or fashion, but I am also starting a business. What I've gotten a lot out of is understanding and practicing the Law of Attraction as taught by the classic by Napoleon Hill "Think & Grow Rich," The Secret (book and movie) and the books and materials by Abraham-Hicks (abraham-hicks.com). I found a lot of these at my library. Good luck!

Have you checked out Etsy.com? i have a tee shirt shop and portrait shop on that site. it's a cheap way to start selling handmade items.

I have been a business owner for 25 yrs. First and foremost make sure you have all your funding available, then seek 1/2 of those in addition. You can't imagine the obstacles that you will incur as you are building your business. For example: if you $10,000 start-up make sure you have $15,000. I guarantee you'll need the extra and you'll be glad you have it.
BArb R.

I have no idea how to start a business, but I do have one request. Once you get your shoe line going and you are a big-time business woman selling fabulous shoes, please be sure to make shoes in big sizes, too. I am a size 11 and my sister is a size 12 and we can never find shoes. Good luck!!

How Great i love shoes, I got the idea to start my make up artistry business after attending a cash machine seminar by Loral Langemeier in this seminar hundreds of people with entrepreneurial minds come together and make it a reality. She talks about how people have the wrong mind set that if you have a job with a w2 you are safe, and how if you have a vision make it work, get started somehow and make it work. you should check out her website liveoutloud.com lots of information and resources.If manolo did it why not you! Best of Luck!!!