Recent research revealed that 78% of MBA students end up working for someone else. So if you are someone whose end goal is to become the founder of a start-up, spending precious years confined to a desk might not be the best option anymore.

Corroborating this story is fashion boss and entrepreneur Ebony Swank, CEO of Swank-A-Posh, America’s leading female-wear fashion brand. She is a high school dropout and one of the country’s unlikely success stories. In life, the businesswoman has had to face several challenges, from bankruptcy to failed attempts. Contrary to what you might think, not having an education was never a major contributing factor. She has learned a lot more from the classrooms of life than most people ever do sitting inside the 4 walls.

“I learned to be successful by surrounding myself with successful people,” says Swank. “Being amongst people and entrepreneurs that I could learn from. The learning never stops, and I still consider myself a self-learner and observer, which helps enable to scale my brand to the next level.’’

Excellent Decision-Making and Foresight – Always Ten Steps Ahead

Making calculated, clever decisions isn’t an ability that can be taught. Only when you actually get burned by the flame will you learn all the ways to avoid it. No amount of textbook learning could ever make up for the wealth of knowledge that one gains on the ground. 

Swank urges aspiring entrepreneurs to plan ahead. Something you learn from your own mistakes is how to rise after failing. Failing at a task does not mean you are a failure. One bad ending doesn’t make you a bad businessman; it makes you an experienced one. Failures happen; it’s the lesson you learn that matters.

You cannot anticipate everything, that is not how it goes. This isn’t your school exam where you’re given the syllabus ahead of time. You need to be prepared to face a plethora of challenges, some more difficult than others. 

However, it all gets easier over time. That is where experience in the field matters – something that you won’t get from closed classrooms, outdated case studies, and theoretical knowledge.

Even though Swank holds no fancy degrees, she employs quite a few people who do, and that is everything you need to know about the power of real experience. 

Onto The Next Generation Of Exceptional Black Female Entrepreneurs

Ebony Swank can rest easy knowing that her legacy will be carried on for ages, a lot longer after her time. With her 25-year daughter, Alaya, gearing up to take charge of Swank-A-Posh, she has plenty to look forward to in the future.

What makes Swank the happiest is knowing that she has taught her daughter well. From learned principles to secrets picked up on from years of experience, Swank sits ready to empower a new generation of black women, much like herself.

Stay alert, think practically, and always be armed with a plan, are Ebony Swank’s top tips for aspiring young entrepreneurs everywhere.

We all make mistakes. And when it comes to running a fashion business, you’re bound to make a few along the way. But that’s okay! It’s how you learn and grow. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most common mistakes fashion businesses make, and how you can avoid them. So read on, and learn from the mistakes of others! 🙂

1. Not Defining Your Target Customer

One of the biggest mistakes fashion businesses make is not defining their target customer. Without a clear understanding of who your target customer is, it will be very difficult to create a product or marketing strategy that resonates with them. Spend some time defining your target customer and make sure that everything you do is geared towards reaching them.

2. Not Creating a Unique Selling Proposition

Another mistake fashion businesses make is failing to create a unique selling proposition (USP). Your USP is what sets your business apart from your competitors and should be something that your target customer cares about. Without a strong USP, it will be very difficult to stand out in the crowded fashion market.

3. Not Investing in Quality Fabric

Investing in quality fabric is one of the most important things you can do for your fashion business. The fabric you use will have a direct impact on the quality of your garments, so it’s important to choose wisely. There are many different types of fabrics available on the market, so take some time to research which ones are best suited for your garments.

4. Not Creating a Strong Brand

Creating a strong brand is essential for any business, but it’s especially important in the fashion industry. Your brand should be unique and memorable, and it should reflect the values of your business. Without a strong brand, it will be very difficult to build a loyal customer base.

5. Not Investing in Marketing

Many fashion businesses make the mistake of not investing enough in marketing. Marketing is essential for reaching your target customers and building awareness for your brand. There are many different types of marketing, so make sure to choose the ones that are most effective for reaching your target customer.

6. Relying Too Much on Social Media

While social media can be a great way to reach your target customers, relying too heavily on it can be detrimental to your business. Social media should be just one part of your overall marketing strategy, so make sure to invest in other marketing channels as well.

7. Not Pricing Your Products Correctly

Pricing your products correctly is essential for making a profit and attracting customers. If you price your products too high, you’ll deter potential customers from buying them. On the other hand, if you price them too low, you won’t make enough money to cover your costs. Make sure to do some research before setting your prices so you can find the sweet spot that maximizes profits and attracts customers.

8. Failing to Plan for Seasonal Changes

Seasonal changes can have a big impact on fashion businesses, so it’s important to plan ahead for them. Make sure you have enough inventory to meet increased demand during peak seasons, and plan sales and promotions around key dates like holiday shopping periods. By planning ahead, you can avoid many of the pitfalls associated with seasonal changes.

9.  Not Prioritizing Customer Service

Customer service is essential for any successful business, and fashion businesses are no exception. Make sure to prioritize customer service and create a system that allows you to quickly respond to questions, issues, and complaints. This will help build customer loyalty and ensure that your customers remain satisfied with your products.

10.  Not Staying Up to Date With Trends

Staying up to date with fashion trends is essential for any fashion business. Make sure to stay informed about the latest styles and incorporate them into your products and marketing efforts. Doing so will help you ensure that your products remain relevant in a constantly changing market.

FAQs

What are some tips for making a fashion business successful?

Focus on quality, develop a unique brand identity, invest in marketing, price products correctly, plan ahead for seasonal changes, prioritize customer service, stay up to date with trends, and measure results.

How can I make sure my fashion business stands out from the competition?

Developing a unique brand identity is essential for standing out from the competition. Make sure to create a distinctive logo, color palette, and messaging that reflect your brand’s personality. Additionally, make sure the design of your garments is on-trend and stands out from similar products on the market.

What are some strategies for increasing sales?

Investing in marketing is key for increasing sales. Make sure to utilize multiple channels, such as social media and email campaigns, to reach a larger audience. Additionally, consider creating seasonal sales and promotions around peak shopping times to drive more customers.

What should I do to ensure my products remain relevant?

Staying up to date with trends is essential for ensuring your products remain relevant. Make sure to research the latest styles and incorporate them into your products, messaging, and marketing efforts. Additionally, consider adjusting prices based on changes in the market.

When it comes to getting organized, everyone is different. What works for one person might not work for another. That being said, there are some general tips that can help almost anyone get more organized and make the most of their space. Here we will discuss 10 organization tips that should help you create a more productive and stress-free environment!

1. Invest In God Storage Solutions:

Having appropriate storage solutions is key in organizing your space. This means investing in items such as baskets, bins, shelves, and other storage solutions that are tailored to your needs. This way, you can quickly identify what goes where and keep everything in its designated place. Vertical space is often overlooked when it comes to organization, but it can be a great way to store items. This includes shelves, cubbies, and racks that are built up from the floor. If you have an open wall or corner, consider creating additional storage solutions by utilizing vertical space. Having these storage solutions can help free up precious floor and counter space. 

2. Sort & Declutter:

Before you start organizing, it’s important to declutter first. This means sorting through all the items in each room and deciding which ones stay and which ones go. This is a very important step in creating an organized environment, as it will give you a better understanding of the items that you need to store and how much space you need for them.

3. Utilize Walls And Doors:

Walls and doors are often overlooked when it comes to organization, but they can be great tools for creating an organized space. You can hang shelves or racks on the walls to store items and use door organizers for smaller items such as bottles, cans, and boxes. Installing hooks on walls or doors is another great way to store items in an organized manner. This includes coats, hats, bags, purses, and other smaller items that don’t take up a lot of space. It’s also a great way to keep items off the ground, which can help you to make better use of your floor space.

4. Get Rid Of Unnecessary Furniture:

Sometimes, having too much furniture can take up a lot of room and create a disorganized look. For example, if you have a couch that you hardly ever use, maybe it’s time to get rid of it and replace it with something smaller or more fitting to your needs. Think about what furniture is necessary for the tasks you need to perform in that area and eliminate any superfluous pieces. This will help make your space appear bigger and less cluttered. And as an added bonus, you can donate or resell the furniture that you no longer need.

5. Make The Most Of Your Closets:

Closets are great storage solutions, and they can provide plenty of room for organization. Use shelves, baskets, organizers, and garment bags to utilize all available closet space. Hang items on hooks or install additional shelving to maximize the use of space. This will help you quickly identify and access items when you need them.

6. Label Everything:

Labeling is a great way to keep track of your belongings and stay organized. You can use labels with pictures or words on them or create coded colored tags. This will help you quickly identify what goes where and make it easier to find items when needed. Labeling also helps if you have roommates or family members who need to use your items.

7. Never Fear Revamping A Room:

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the organization process, don’t be afraid to start from scratch. Take everything out of a room and begin organizing it in sections. This will help you see what goes where and give you a better understanding of your space and how best to use it. Rearranging furniture pieces can help you make the most of your room and create a more efficient space.

8. Designate A Place For Everything:

Designating a space and spot for every home item can help keep it organized. This will ensure that items have their designated place and are not all over the house. For example, keep cleaning supplies in one area, such as under the sink or in a closet. And designate a drawer or shelf for items such as office supplies, kitchen utensils, or toiletries.

9. Keep A Cleaning Schedule:

It is important to stay on top of cleaning in order to maintain an organized environment. Create a weekly or monthly cleaning schedule and stick to it. This will help keep clutter at bay and make sure that the items you need are easy to find.

10. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help:

Creating an organized space can be difficult, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. Whether it is from a friend or professional organizer, having someone to help you stay on track and give advice can make the process much easier and more successful.

Following these organization tips will help you make the most of your space and keep it clutter-free. Having an organized home will help bring order and peace to your life and make it easier to find things when needed. So the next time you need to make the most of your space, try out these ten organization tips!