Friday Fashion Business Tip: Create Systems

business tip

Operations is one of the most under appreciated sectors of business by the majority of designers.  It’s not particularly sexy so it often takes a back seat to things like photo shoots and look books. But creating a business that runs smoothly from an operational standpoint is crucial to your success.

The most important operational task you can complete for your business is the creation of systems. Anytime you do any task in your business, write what you do, step by step, in a way that others will understand.  

All you have to to is

  • Create business categories: Social media, Email Marketing, Blogging, Accounting, Sales, Customer Service, etc.
  • List the tasks associated with this sector of your business.
  • Make each task a sub-category and list under the task the step by step process for completing that task.

Example:

EMAIL MARKETING

  • Weekly Newsletter
    1. Use logo as header image
    2. Include 2 recent blog posts and a short blurb about each one
    3. Include a single call to action from our eshop
  • Event Promotion
    1. Use stock image that demonstrates a fun event
    2. Add event title to the image using photoshop
    3. Make sure to include location, date, and time
    4. Make email no more than 2 paragraphs
    5. Include large button that says “RSVP”
  • Holiday Sale
    1. You get the point by now, right?

The key here is not to wait until your business is already in full steam ahead and you’re actively looking for an assistant. Instead start creating these systems as soon as possible so that when you’re ready to grow, you already have everything ready to hand over.

I’m telling you, this is one of the best possible things you can do to prepare yourself for growth.

If you liked this fashion business tip and think others would find it helpful please share it!

Nicole Giordano

Nicole is the founder of StartUp FASHION, an online resource and community supporting for independent designers around the world with building their businesses. A deep love for the craft of fashion paired with an adamant belief that success is defined by the individual, led her to found StartUp FASHION, where she helps independent designers and makers screw the traditional fashion business rules, create their own paths, and build businesses they truly love. More than anything else, she’s in the business of encouragement and works every day to remind makers and designers that they have something special to offer the world and that they can, in fact, do this thing!

1 Comment
  1. Cynim

    This is nice…I have had this thought for a long time but was doing it for the Production process. thanks.

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