the basics 1. creating the designs
The designs of the hats came from a lot of brainstorming on my part. I wanted to create winter hats that wouldn't mess up women's hairstyles. Once I came up with a design, I drew it and showed it to my mother, and then she, alongside me, sewed the first tangible sample of the design. If needed, we would work with a more experienced seamstress (i.e. a friend who sews during free time or professionally). Check out one of my patterns..
2. making samples
The next step is to have a manufacturer make a professional sample. After we agree on the sample, we order all the goods necessary for the final product--fabric from a fabric wholesaler, notions (zippers, buttons, etc.) from a notion wholesaler and labels from a label manufacturer-- and have them delivered to the manufacturer.
3. shopping your products around
Once the samples are made, I speak to the buyers of different stores, showing them the different types of hats I sell and color swatches. This requires a lot of legwork! If they want to buy some hats, I make an invoice for the hats ordered at that time, including the delivery date, payment terms and the wholesale price for the hats.
4. producing your products
Once the orders are in, I look through the invoices and figure out the total amount of hats that had been ordered. Then I send the order to the manufacturer to fill.
5. in business!
When the hats have been produced and are sent to storage (my mom and I pick up the hats and store them), I contact the stores who placed orders and verify delivery. The hats are then sent out to their designated locations (either dropped off by me or sent by mail, preferably UPS). A few days after the delivery, I call or visit the stores to make sure they received their shipment and to see how sales are doing. A few weeks after that, I call the stores to give them a reminder of the payment that is to be credited to Innova on an agreed date. At that time, the owner of the company pays for the merchandise bought. Then I deposit the money into my savings account, where I'd pay for my expenses (like taxes, salaries, transportation, misc. expenses).
After that, I rest for about a day (if I can), celebrate, and then start over at step 1!
