Fashion Observer Magazine Feb. 2014 | Page 5

Fashion Annah Business Stretton PLAY How do you go about starting a business in the very fickle and overcrowded world of fashion? No it’s not easy but yes it is certainly possible. The creative industries are possibly one of the hardest industries to succeed in as we are also incredibly reliant on so many others to do the job well to make and get our product to market. From the design to the production, the marketing and the selling it will all be about the way you lead and collaborate with others that will depict the outcomes that you will get. Unfortunately most creatives have limited business acumen and herein lies the first stumbling block. They are also often not prepared or don’t see the necessity in up-skilling themselves, so they have to rely on others to fill the gaps. This can be not only costly but also challenging as finding others that are aligned, capable and understand your dream is very difficult. It will always be a lot better to up skill yourself from a business sense from the beginning. Boring I hear you say but this may be the one thing that is standing between your failure or success. Going forward as your business grows this business knowledge will also enable you to keep a very necessary eye on your bottom line.