Total beginner needing help

[poppymango]

I’ve had an idea for a small (really small) business that I want to start.

It’s quite niche, but essentially involves making my own activewear clothing line.

I’m very particular in that I want the clothes to be sustainably and ethically made in the UK or Ireland. The problem is, despite extensive googling I can’t seem to find any factories to produce that sort of thing. I’m not even sure if factory is the right word. I’ve tried to find similar businesses to see where they have things made but they’re always pretty vague!

So that’s my first (and biggest) problem.

The second issue is that I have no idea what’s involved in the chain of production. I’ve never done anything like this before and it’s so frustrating when people say “just start your own business!” - I feel like I need a step-by-step manual.

I have so many ideas but really no idea how to get started.

Can anyone help?? 🙏🏻

I run a small business, in a completely different area, so best of luck.
Do not underestimate the outlay needed to start this type of business.
There is a reason the type of clothing, you want to retail, is made in the Far East!
The costs involved with manufacturing fabric and assembling clothing in Europe , if done at all, may mean your prices are beyond the pocket of all but a few.

I suspected that may be the case. But I really do want to start very very small - just a selection of T-shirts to begin with and maybe branch out further down the line.

it’s just the getting started that has me flummoxed. I have no idea what to do. I can’t even send an email to a clothing manufacturer with a load of stupid questions because I don’t know how to find one. It’s very frustrating!!

Hi Poppymango, I found this:
https://manufy.com/blog/these-are-the-top-5-countries-to-produce-clothing-in-europe

https://wonnda.com/magazine/european-clothing-manufacturers-industry-guide/

https://pearlclothing.medium.com/top-clothing-manufacturers-in-european-countries-a-guide-to-high-quality-apparel-production-b47dd0dd2cb1

You could also reach out to the Allbright, that's an online and in person female community- I've been a member and they have lots of women who are in the fashion and textile industry.

Have you looked at teemill.com?

Could you learn how to make the clothing yourself? It would probably cost you less and you'll have a skill for life then.

btc activewear/Ralawise, they sell everything you could ever need in a huge range of sizes and styles. Your next step is find an embroidery/printing contractor. Then learn graphic design basics using corel draw. Learn about scalable vector graphics and embroidery digitisation, use an indian/chinese company to send your logo designs to, they will create an embroidery file for your design for 8-10 quid, then send the embroidery program to your contracter and get a quote for embroidery. Learn how to print tshirts with a heat press and contact stahls who can provide you with the means to print your design onto a number of transfer materials. Order your printing transfers and apply them to your garment yourself........once you grow, buy your own solvent printer and embroidery machine (much further down the line) and bring everything in house.
If you want to make your own bespoke garments, you need to learn the basics and keep looking for manufacturers. Look for trade shows and reach out to clothing suppliers....in many cases they will manufacture your products for you, if your volumes are high enough.

How about doing some market research where you show people your T shirt designs and ask them what they would pay? Then work backwards from there.

It scales, so making 50 T shirts in one design is going to be much more pricey per unit than making 50,000.

The first thing I would do is some market research around the demand for this.
The sad reality is that people have got used to affordable clothing and are rarely willing to pay the extra.
Many British clothing companies have not survived.

On a practical basis, if you do find a manufacturer, bear in mind you need at least a 70% margin (the different between the manufacturer's price to you and the retail price).

Also try to think about how you would market and sell the items. It's very difficult to break through on social media, if it's a website, how will people find you etc etc.

I admire the ambition but you could have picked an easier first business!