A new start/ career change

[golfer001]

New to this website but have spent much of this afternoon reading previous posts. Its excellent.

My problem is Im facing redunancy but have put away some cash in view of setting up a business. I have a few ideas but my main problem I am facing is how to source a supplier etc.

The first is an "upmarket" sandwhich shop that deals in the healthy options, based on the principles that they have in european cities such as Seville, Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon etc. I dont even know where to start in terms of suppliers.


One other idea is a mens designer clothes shop but I am having difficult in finding authentic suppliers. Any ideas how to go about this. Where can you find the companies that sell or distribute to the smaller shops? I appreciate that this is a highly competitive sector but feel that in my local area there is a gap.

Can someone with more experience also clarify that in other sectors ie sports goods etc. How you can buy OEM of certain brands? Is this legal.

 

[KeithGreen]

Hi, I can't help with your specific queries but try looking at various "business for sale" websites. It might be better for you to buy an existing business but even if not you should be able to further your research this way.

I know there are various wholesaling directories which you can subscribe to online and these may help you with some of your sourcing queries.

 

[deniser]

Menswear start with Drapers magazine and then visit all the trade shows. You need to plan at least one year ahead as lead times on clothing are about 3-6 months and you want to be opening at the beginning of a season ie. January for summer clothes or July for winter clothes and not mid season where you might have to go straight into sale.

 

[golfer001]

Thanks for replies, I ve constantly been looking through the business for sale websites. Had my eye on a few locally as well.

Good point deniser regarding planning, which is what I intend to do. Its a matter of sourcing correct stock. I have saved images ogf how shop will look and have contacts in this field to fit shop.

however Im baffled that when I contact suppliers im met with the replies that they already provide in this area (10 miles away!!). Yet the shops they supply to are dated and on there way out.. I am certain that I would do better.

Ive friends working in this industry and have heard that some of these shops send buyers to Japan to outsource designer clothes.

How can I start this business with some well known brands in mens wear without having to wait to become established.

 

[josor]

Attend MODA, good show to go to. It's normally at the Birmingham NEC.

Just google moda show and it will bring up the info.

Regarding designer clothing, what brands are you looking to stock?

Some of the brands now require a miniumum spend ox x amount of thousands, also some prefer you to be operating for a year before even considering suppling goods to you.

 

[golfer001]

Brands that I am looking at would be Fred Perry, Adidas originals, Folk, Barbour, Diesel, Edwin, St James, dockers, paul smith, clarkes,baracuta etc etc.

I would also want a section for retro/vintage as well as samll section for upmarket trendy golf clothes such as boss, j lindenberg, etc

 

[josor]

Brands that I am looking at would be Fred Perry, Adidas originals, Folk, Barbour, Diesel, Edwin, St James, dockers, paul smith, clarkes,baracuta etc etc.

I would also want a section for retro/vintage as well as samll section for upmarket trendy golf clothes such as boss, j lindenberg, etc

Barbour is a brand I was interested in stockking, but you have to trade for a min of 1 year before they would consider dealing with me

As you know as well, some wont deal with you if they supply another shop in the same town, all about being exclusive

 

[golfer001]

josor.

As an established business do you have advice/ pointers where I can obtain information on suppliers.

 

[josor]

Best bet is hte trade shows, MODA being one. The problem is that most have passed now, the next ones are January.

Another thing to consider is market saturation, how many similar shops are in the same town. The vintage market is a tough one, especially if oyu have competitors around doing same kind of stuff

 

[patientlady]

Hi golfer001
Both of these ideas, as I see it are difficult areas to get in and have success unless you have at least some experience and contacts to help.
I am sorry that you are facing redundancy and understand that this is an opportunity to go it alone.
I think that with mens retailing due to the need to order so far in advance and wanting the brands you have mentioned, it will not happen overnight!
An upmarket sandwich bar is less risk but extremely hard work for small return.
Your a golfer, perhaps a golf related business might be interesting, although, if clothing would have the same constraints.
I think there might be a market for arranging corporate golf days and corporate midweek golf events. Whilst companies are spending less, marketed in the right way I think there is an opening, in fact I am liking the idea so much I am going to look into it further

 

[josor]

Hi golfer001
Both of these ideas, as I see it are difficult areas to get in and have success unless you have at least some experience and contacts to help.
I am sorry that you are facing redundancy and understand that this is an opportunity to go it alone.
I think that with mens retailing due to the need to order so far in advance and wanting the brands you have mentioned, it will not happen overnight!
An upmarket sandwich bar is less risk but extremely hard work for small return.
Your a golfer, perhaps a golf related business might be interesting, although, if clothing would have the same constraints.
I think there might be a market for arranging corporate golf days and corporate midweek golf events. Whilst companies are spending less, marketed in the right way I think there is an opening, in fact I am liking the idea so much I am going to look into it further

lol..........

 

[Pap_sak]

It is the whole chicken and egg thing unfortunately. You need to be in business for a couple of years before the big boys will supply you - that said, you might find some big, but not well represented brands in your country might be quite interested, esp if you are a cash paying customer. For instance getting an adidas, nike or puma account might be hard, but what about New Balance, Kappa or Mizuno. Also remember that the big guys want minimum orders otherwise they will close you account.

Remember it is going to take a while to get the business going and getting the stock selection right - start small and keep some cash in reserve.

 

[Bambooshoot]

Only slightly related, so apologies.
Came across this deal in my inbox this morning. A seminar from Bob Proctor in business. Not entirely sold myself, but there are also many leading UK experts in their field of business...could be of use to someone

 

[Mike tells it like it is]

I'd go for the sandwich shop people have to eat even in bad times. I'd research first whether there is the demand for upmarket in your area though.

I hate to say it but there are not many people in the UK that I would describe as upmarket or sophisticated and i am far from being a snob.

 

[Connor Lownds]

Golfer001, I'm looking at setting up my own clothing brand myself, we have a few designs ready to be printed however were struggling to get into a store, if your looking for some company to supply you clothes please PM me and we can see if you could stock our clothes

Thanks

 

[essjmeha]

A good way to find suppliers is to check out the International Spring trade fair web site. They usualy have a large and varies directory or suppliers. the trade fair is also worth a visit, but is not on until Feb.

 

[Furrtiv]

I was thinking, when reading this thread, along similar lines to what Connor suggested; find someone producing fabulous goods who isn't well known but has quality products, and offer to stock them. Together you could build up a brand between you, perhaps?

Good luck, I was made redundant a few weeks ago and am looking to go self-employed now rather than back into rubbish low-paid work again!

 

[bakerlogos]

starting a new business and loving it so far

 

[savashatz]

Just my thoughts in this, I would personally go for a shop that sells on continuity - that is, something that th ecustomer needs and buys again and again. That could be the sandwich shop - or a crafts shop.

Have you ever consider offering services instead of products?

Services (and specialised services) are the only thing that you can run without overhead costs (unless yo udecide to open a store and have employees of course).

If you have a skill, do you think you can reseach the market for this particular skill and "package it"?


As said above, just a thought.