Comments on: How to transition from Etsy into wholesale pt.1 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/ How to start a clothing line or run the one you have, better. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 00:21:21 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Marianne http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-12989 Marianne Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:11:15 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=3121#comment-12989 http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/tags/art-of-pricing/ The above is the link on Etsy for pricing - I knew they had something----but wow this is a lot of info. Enjoy http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/tags/art-of-pricing/

The above is the link on Etsy for pricing – I knew they had something—-but wow this is a lot of info.

Enjoy

]]> By: Marianne http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-12988 Marianne Mon, 02 Mar 2009 20:06:50 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=3121#comment-12988 Great article/discussion as always. I am helping an artist get on Etsy and when I asked her about her "pricing structure" I got a look of "deer in headlights" She said that she has always taken her materials times 3 and that's what she sold it to her customers for. I explained that she needs to understand her "value" in the piece. We are working on monitoring her time involved in a piece to give her a clear picture of materials, time, wholesale, retail, etc. When I started in this business I went to the book store and found books from big fashion icons about how they started their business. I was lucky enough to have found those books and read what their equation was. Once you figure out your equation then you never doubt your end price whether it is wholesale or retail. I think Etsy has something on this I will have to go look and come back with the information. Great article/discussion as always.

I am helping an artist get on Etsy and when I asked her about her “pricing structure” I got a look of “deer in headlights” She said that she has always taken her materials times 3 and that’s what she sold it to her customers for. I explained that she needs to understand her “value” in the piece. We are working on monitoring her time involved in a piece to give her a clear picture of materials, time, wholesale, retail, etc.

When I started in this business I went to the book store and found books from big fashion icons about how they started their business. I was lucky enough to have found those books and read what their equation was. Once you figure out your equation then you never doubt your end price whether it is wholesale or retail.

I think Etsy has something on this I will have to go look and come back with the information.

]]> By: Vesta http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-12987 Vesta Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:22:08 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=3121#comment-12987 Julie, absolutely there are ways to increase your top line sales, without moving into wholesale. And it will help you to think straight if you make a firm decision that your strategies will all revolve around direct-to-consumer sales. I am not a marketing whiz, so I wouldn't be the one to ask, but off the top of my head, advertising, contests, sponsorships, things like that. Form a deeper connection with your existing customers and your target market, go where they go, support the things they care about. Good luck! Julie, absolutely there are ways to increase your top line sales, without moving into wholesale. And it will help you to think straight if you make a firm decision that your strategies will all revolve around direct-to-consumer sales. I am not a marketing whiz, so I wouldn’t be the one to ask, but off the top of my head, advertising, contests, sponsorships, things like that. Form a deeper connection with your existing customers and your target market, go where they go, support the things they care about.

Good luck!

]]> By: Lenna Green http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-12985 Lenna Green Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:18:41 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=3121#comment-12985 Thanks for your insight, this is very valuable information for anyone thinking about taking their craft talents to the next level. Thanks for your insight, this is very valuable information for anyone thinking about taking their craft talents to the next level.

]]> By: Julie http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-12974 Julie Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:08:23 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=3121#comment-12974 Vesta, thank you. I've been questioning if I really want the stress and lifestyle that would come with jumping in with both feet. As it is, I am a stay at homeschooling mom of three. Direct-to-customer is preferable for right now, and is a completely respectable position in the fashion industry, in my opinion. However, I would like to increase my sales figures, which means I need to form some kind of strategy that will increase my sales, but not pull me into an "in over my head" situation. This exists, right? Vesta, thank you. I’ve been questioning if I really want the stress and lifestyle that would come with jumping in with both feet. As it is, I am a stay at homeschooling mom of three. Direct-to-customer is preferable for right now, and is a completely respectable position in the fashion industry, in my opinion. However, I would like to increase my sales figures, which means I need to form some kind of strategy that will increase my sales, but not pull me into an “in over my head” situation. This exists, right?

]]> By: Vesta http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-12973 Vesta Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:22:11 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=3121#comment-12973 I want to mention to those thinking about this transition that it's not necessarily a step that everyone should/should want to take. Don't get sucked into thinking that you must, just because people ask you to. There are fabulous businesses built on the direct-to-consumer model. The margins are fantastic, the feedback from consumers is immediate, your designs can turn on a dime, and you can grow at an organic (read: debt free) pace. Really think hard about your strategy. Do you enjoy working with consumers? Can you handle the hugely increased costs of trade shows and large wholesale orders/production runs? Don't go into it blind, like so many of us. I want to mention to those thinking about this transition that it’s not necessarily a step that everyone should/should want to take. Don’t get sucked into thinking that you must, just because people ask you to. There are fabulous businesses built on the direct-to-consumer model. The margins are fantastic, the feedback from consumers is immediate, your designs can turn on a dime, and you can grow at an organic (read: debt free) pace. Really think hard about your strategy. Do you enjoy working with consumers? Can you handle the hugely increased costs of trade shows and large wholesale orders/production runs? Don’t go into it blind, like so many of us.

]]> By: Michael Martinez http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-12966 Michael Martinez Sat, 28 Feb 2009 06:12:02 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=3121#comment-12966 Is "wholesale" going to be a viable business model in the future? Is “wholesale” going to be a viable business model in the future?

]]> By: Liron http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-12962 Liron Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:23:06 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=3121#comment-12962 I have also been selling on Etsy for 4 months now . I recommend it to anyone who needs to learn their line and get that immediate feedback from the buyer . It has been very useful for a beginner like myself. I have also been selling on Etsy for 4 months now . I recommend it to anyone who needs to learn their line and get that immediate feedback from the buyer . It has been very useful for a beginner like myself.

]]> By: Amy http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-12961 Amy Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:04:01 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=3121#comment-12961 Great post Kathleen. I have been considering Etsy as a way to "test" some pieces and it's encouraging to hear other DE's are doing well enough to feel they are ready to transition. I have heard from a fairly reputable source that HUGE retailers like Anthroplogie and Urban Outfitters troll Etsy to rip off stuff that sells well....what a compliment...?! Good thing we all have plenty of new ideas on a regular basis! Great post Kathleen. I have been considering Etsy as a way to “test” some pieces and it’s encouraging to hear other DE’s are doing well enough to feel they are ready to transition.

I have heard from a fairly reputable source that HUGE retailers like Anthroplogie and Urban Outfitters troll Etsy to rip off stuff that sells well….what a compliment…?! Good thing we all have plenty of new ideas on a regular basis!

]]> By: andrea http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-transition-from-etsy-into-wholesale-pt1/comment-page-1/#comment-12959 andrea Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:33:38 +0000 http://www.fashion-incubator.com/?p=3121#comment-12959 Great post, Kathleen! I think Etsy was really the missing link for me, who started backwards. It was a great way to practice and work out some kinks in my pricing, presentation and process. The pricing issue on Etsy can be infuriating, but I look at it like an online craft fair. Sometimes you end up next to someone who doesn't price appropriately. Thankfully, I think Etsy shoppers really know the difference. Great post, Kathleen! I think Etsy was really the missing link for me, who started backwards. It was a great way to practice and work out some kinks in my pricing, presentation and process. The pricing issue on Etsy can be infuriating, but I look at it like an online craft fair. Sometimes you end up next to someone who doesn’t price appropriately. Thankfully, I think Etsy shoppers really know the difference.

]]>