EP29 - Setting Up Your Virtual Fashion Business Part 1

fashion business how to start a clothing line how to start a fashion business Mar 31, 2020

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I can’t go to the office since our city is on lockdown because of the pandemic—how will I communicate with my team?

Will I still be able to get an order out?

Will this be the end of my business?

I’m sure you, just like me, have been stalking the news for the latest updates on the novel coronavirus outbreak. Much to my surprise, I’ve been unconsciously preparing for such a situation, as I’ve been working toward building a virtual team, which has allowed me to keep my business functional through this pandemic.

You may think that this is the end of my fashionpreneur business, and I haven’t even started yet. But, don’t worry, I’m here to help! My team and I have been working to bring you this episode to help you set up your virtual fashion business to keep you positive and give you the momentum to keep pushing forward.

In this episode of the FastTrack Your Fashion Brand Podcast, I’m breaking down the first steps to building your virtual fashion business, from brain dumping all your tasks, to hiring your first virtual assistant to give you back some of your time.

If you think I should make a MasterClass on this, DM me on Instagram @nicole_di_rocco.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT

Brain-dumping your tasks
Organizing the different sections of your business
Finding your joy
Attributing revenue to tasks
Creating a job description
Hiring your first virtual assistant (VA)

Step 1: Brain-dump

Sometimes it’s hard, especially when you are just starting out, to realize that it is not great for you to have to do everything. And I know, you may be thinking, “Nicole, I can’t afford to hire an assistant.”

But, oftentimes, if you are overworked, overwhelmed, and overbooked, you’re actually costing yourself money by not hiring on someone else.

So, brain-dump! Write down everything that you do, from grabbing the mail to creating social posts. Anything and everything that has to do with your business, WRITE IT DOWN. Preferably on a sticky note (because this will come in handy for Step 2).

Step 2: Post-Its (Organization)

Now that you’ve got your million and one Post-Its with your tasks, organize them into the following categories (even if you don’t have it yet -- remember that you’re trying to plan it for the long run):

Production and design
Graphics
Admin
Tech and website
Fulfillment
Customer service
Social media

Step 3: What gives you joy?

With a different color pen, circle the tasks that give you joy. I want you to really think about this -- don’t just look at what you’re good at. Because if you’re like me, you’ll resent the tasks that you’re good at that don’t bring joy because it feels like a waste of your time.

So, do you love doing social posts? Do you love invoicing? Do you love designing?

Step 4: What results in revenue?

Next, put a “$” sign next to anything that you do that directly results in revenue.

You need to find what you are spending time on, that may not directly result in revenue that you can divert to someone else, so you can better focus your time and attention elsewhere.

This is your business! The whole point is to do less and have more (eventually)!

Step 5: Hiring your first VA

Now that you have all your tasks mapped out, what is one task that you can give to someone else that will give you at least an hour back in your workday? Write a description of it and post it to:

Once you get some applications, give a test task. This will help you see what each applicant's skill set is and if they will be a good fit for you. Did they ask questions, did they communicate well? Did they do what you asked them to? Did they exceed or meet your expectations?

On this week’s FastTrack Your Fashion Brand Podcast episode, I will dive a little bit deeper into each of the steps above and give you insights into how to stay organized.

Tune in and let me keep you focused, upbeat, and motivated within your fashion business. We’ll get through this!

EPISODE BREAKDOWN

00:00-12:45 - Coming to terms with our new situation

15:05-15:49 - Step 1: Brain Dump

15:50-18:00 - Step 2: Organization (Post-Its)

18:10-21:05 - Step 3: What gives you joy?

21:10-22:15 - Step 4: Revenue generating tasks

22:30-31:00 - Step 5: Hiring your first VA

CONNECT WITH ME

INSTAGRAM: @nicole_di_rocco

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/nicoledirocco

PODCAST FB GROUP: www.facebook.com/groups/fasttrackyourfashionbrandpodcast

WEBSITE: www.fashionbizmentor.com

SUBMIT YOUR FASHION BIZ QUESTIONS: www.fashionbizmentor.com/breakthrough-coaching

SEE MY DESIGNS: www.mynicolita.com

THE SOLD OUT CHECKLIST FREE DOWNLOAD: https://bit.ly/FASHIONCHECKLIST

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