Canada has become quite the emerging force in the fashion world over recent years. Spurred on primarily due to the increase in tourism. Cities like Toronto, Quebec, and Calgary have become hotspots for influencers and adventurers from the world over. This has been a huge boost, not only to Canada’s fashion industry, but to the fashion scene as a whole.
But breaking into the fashion industry in Canada is no easy feat. Because with increased tourism and popularity comes an increase in competition. So, if you’re looking to make a name for yourself in the world of fashion, stick with us as we lay out 6 tips that will help launch your fashion brand to new heights.
Find Your Niche
Chances are you won’t be able to cater to everyone. Especially not as your business is first starting out. So the first step to success is finding your niche from a product point of view. What fashion item stands you out from your competition. Ideally this will be something unique and hand-made.
We aren’t saying you can’t stock a wide range of products. But you should have one big ticket clothing or accessory range that really draws people in. As you progress you will ideally want to expand your range. But it is important to never drop that product that made you successful in the first place.
Keep On Top Of Admin
While your product is an important part of your fashion brand, it is meaningless if you don’t keep on top of all of your business admin. This includes everything from processing new orders to handling returns and complaints.
You will get more repeat business from customers if you engage with them and provide a speedy and efficient service. You will also need to ensure you are keeping up to date with any correspondence with suppliers or business partners. Don’t be afraid to delegate a lot of these tasks to a personal assistant if you can afford one.
Get Legal Cover
No one thinks they will need legal advice or cover until they are blindsided by an accident or major complaint. And, if you aren’t prepared for the worst, it can cripple your business. So you will want to ensure you have adequate business and personal insurance.
I highly recommend seeking a legal firm rather than an independent lawyer. They will have far more resources and expertise. When I started my fashion boutique I used this legal firm in Canada called the Merchant Law Group. Firms like this will help you figure out all the potential legal issues you could face and lay a good foundation for preparing your business for the worst.
Utilize Social Media
The king of marketing in the digital age is social media. Especially in the world of fashion. If you aren’t making use of multiple platforms then chances are your business won’t succeed. You need to ensure you are using the different platforms in the right way though.
Instagram is perfect for showing off new products and highlighting the items your business is best known for. TikTok is great for giving a behind the scenes look at your business in an informal way, which is a great way to bring in new customers. Facebook is ideal for reaching the older demographic and keeping customers up to date with more technical changes to your business.
Collaborations
The world of fashion is all about collaboration. So your success will be determined by your ability to successfully network and collaborate. And this doesn’t just mean with other fashion brands. You need to connect with influencers, models, small business owners, and event planning groups.
Influencers in particular are going to be extremely useful in boosting your brand’s popularity. Don’t be afraid to send them some free items if they are willing to model your brand in their content. Or you could sponsor them and get a more direct endorsement from them.
Local Markets
People underestimate the power of local markets and events. But these are often the best place to build brand awareness, make sizable sales, and network all at the same time. More and more we are seeing people move away from online shopping in favor of local markets and independent small businesses.
Sign yourself up for as many markets and events as possible. This will be a lot of hard work but it is well worth it. Festivals are the big money makers for fashion brands. Start small with some small day festivals. Then, slowly, work your way up towards festivals like Veld or Shambhala.
