#001 Building my fashion brand
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“You just have to start somewhere”
Last year, during a long trip in Brazil surrounded by my friends and the sun, the idea of creating Bísó was already crossing my mind. I considered it for years but it never went further than that. It all started like this, with continuous thoughts during my stay until I couldn't stop brainstorming. After this trip and lots of inspiration, I promised myself it was time to start something new and meaningful. Going out of my comfort zone has never been a challenge for me. However, this dream was such a major milestone thus I asked myself: "What do I do? Do I go back to the corporate world? Or do I give my dream a chance?" I continued to attend interviews but it didn‘t feel right. While in the corporate world, I wanted to break free from the usual routine and try something more exciting and challenging. Looking back to my undergrad days, I realised I wasn't on the path I truly wanted. I felt the urge to jump out of my safety net and the comfortable work seat that comes with it.
You already know what happened if I wrote this article. So upon my return, I took a 180-degree turn without really measuring what it implied behind. I embarked on a new adventure I had planned to start sooner or later. "Life" made the opportunity present itself, so I seized it and started creating my fashion brand. I already had the name of the brand as well as the technique and skills in fashion design. But what about everything else? It had to be built and I didn't really know where to start!
Time to take action
So, how to start a fashion brand from nothing? Armed with a cool name and a mountain of doubts, I fully embraced the journey. First, I tackled the administrative side, a bad idea but a necessary step. Convinced that I could do everything alone, I plunged myself into paperwork, proud of my determination. Two months later, I received warnings for unpaid social charges and status problems to resolve. Panic on board!
The status was not correct. After a few exchanges with the French administration, I understood the mistake was mine. I called Shine - an excellent bank for entrepreneurs by the way! Everything was sorted in a few clicks, a few calls, and just three weeks. I registered my company with the correct status and a professional bank account. The first lesson learned: delegate when I can! Everybody is an expert in their field.
Good things take time
I was ready to dive into the collection’s design, but instead of following a quick method, I decided to change my approach. Yet, I would take the time to build something durable with a clear guideline. Despite the pressure and ideas overload, I understood the key was to slow down, to build something concrete and coherent. Solitude and personal development were going to become my best allies...
My recap, lessons learned and rewards
Challenges
- Making something real; a vision that would guide me through the project
- Passing on as much as I could and daring to ask for help
Successes
- Being bold enough to start and give myself the chance
Insights
- Delegate whenever I can
- I officially hate paperwork!
- Taking my time, rushing isn't sustainable for both health and business
To be continued next week, I will talk about one of my game changers during the project. I wish you a sweet night !