
Khloe Kardashian did it – and so can you. Starting your own jeans company is as American as apple pie and with a vision and the help of the internet, you will be on your way to putting your own twist on skinny jeans in no time.
But before you jump in, you'll have to know what the requirements are to launch a company. While there
Get Your Licenses, Permits and EIN
First things first, pick a name. Don't worry about branding right now, just pick a name so you can get the ball moving. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is a federal tax number to identify your business. You don't need an EIN unless you will have employees or plan to form a partnership, LLC or
Once you are aware of all the required legal and administrative details, you can focus on the fun part of starting your own jeans company.
Do Your Research
Who are you trying to reach? Who is your ideal customer? How will you develop your sizing? And, how will you differentiate yourself? Start with what people are already doing and research the market thoroughly
Create a Must-Have Item
The denim market is
Design a Prototype, Find a Manufacturer and Raise Capital
Developing a sample of your garment will help you be able to talk about it with potential buyers. These often are expensive, so be prepared to pay an upfront cost for this. Once you have a prototype, you can research and interview potential manufacturers for producing your garment. Shop around and don't settle. You want a good relationship with your manufacturer. To prepare for manufacturing, start thinking about how you will raise revenue through investments from friends and family, loans or
Market, Market and Market
To start, create a website where people can go to buy your
Solicit Feedback
Once you have a prototype and have gone through your first round of production, ask people for feedback. Find your target customers and ask them to be honest: Do they like the feel of the jeans, the quality and finish of the denim? Do they like the color? Ask if they think the jeans are well-priced. If your customers are asking for something different, listen and incorporate the changes that
Starting your own jeans company can be an exciting endeavor. Know all the elements that go into creating a denim company start-up so you aren't met with any surprises. There will be some grueling moments, but don't give up. With dedication and hard work, the American dream can be yours.
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Writer Bio
Liz Gold has been published in a variety of capacities writing about everything from Kennebunkport and southern Maine municipal government, art and cultural events, to cloud technology and business transformation. Her experience extends to both corporate and freelance; she's a former Senior Editor at the B2B publication Accounting Today, writing about public accounting firms with a specialization in diversity, technology, best practices, and business development. During her tenure, she was also co-founder and editor of AccountingTomorrow, a blog focused on intergenerational workplace issues that is still thriving today. Most recently, Liz has been writing about accountants working in the cannabis industry on CPA Trendlines and reporting on cannabis trends for Southern Oregon Good Herb magazine in Oregon.