Starting an Internet Boutique

September 6, 2011 @ 10:27 PM

ChriSxJetson

Post: 95

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: SC.....LA next fall.

I'm a college student opening an internet boutique in the next couple of months called, "The Lunch Line". We will be selling vintage gear, streetwear brands, and we plan on doing a few of our own pieces as well as collaborating with other brands. I'm finding it's kind of hard to get accounts to carry brands and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on getting brands to let you carry them. You can also peep the site here ---> thelunchxline.com

Owner of The Lunch Line Blog/Boutique http://thelunchxline.com/blog

September 6, 2011 @ 10:44 PM

Scotty

Post: 4713

Join Date: Feb 2009

Location: Los Angeles

Online stores are just like starting a regular store.. U need the money to start it, so u can buy these brands.. But then just cause u have the money, the brands will see your online store and see if its where they want there stuff to be sold.. Your online site just looks like you ripped off In living color and fresh prince.. So im not sure what u wanna sell there? U say vintage clothes, streetwear and your own stuff.. The vintage is easy part cause u just go out and find it but the streetwear brands is going to be the hard part.. What brands were thinking of trying to grab? You have to figure out which brands fit your style of store.. And by the looks of it, its mainly going to brands with bright ass logos and shit that looks recreated from the 90's.. Also brands might not want to be involved with a store that is also selling vintage clothes.. Other things, where are u going to put all this stuff? Most places wont let u carry there shit if u are selling it out of dorm or apartment/home.. Just some shit to think about before going full steam ahead then not work out.. I had this reality check when i was thinking on starting an online store like 5 years back..

September 6, 2011 @ 11:26 PM

ChriSxJetson

Post: 95

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: SC.....LA next fall.

Hahaha. It was inspired by Do The Right Thing. And I found a wholesaler for the vintage gear, got a little bit of inventory in from that. And I've setup accounts with a few other brands just through emails (Deadline, Adapt, Breezy Excursion, Tits, Guns n Crayons). Just basically taking what I could get. And your right space could end up being a problem as far as inventory goes, but I was just planning on using every bit of my apartment that I could. Hopefully as the site grows I could get a storage place somewhere. But I really appreciate the feedback and advice though. Thanks.

Owner of The Lunch Line Blog/Boutique http://thelunchxline.com/blog

September 7, 2011 @ 11:08 AM

Fictitious

Post: 147

Join Date: Jun 2011

You might want to rethink the colorways. Also if you don't have a warehouse yourself , perhaps look into a public storage unit. But all in all, it will be difficult starting wholesale accounts with brands at first, you might want to travel and hit some trade shows and get some info.

September 7, 2011 @ 06:13 PM

ChriSxJetson

Post: 95

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: SC.....LA next fall.

Yeah I was supposed to hit up the Magic trade show but that didn't work out. And as far as changing the colors, I understand they're loud, but it's also going to be a brand and most of the stuff we put out is going to have a hint of the colors used . And I already paid a designer for the site n logo lol. So far actually, I've been getting pretty good feedback from brands on the site. And thanks for the tip on a public storage unit. Bout to look into that.

Owner of The Lunch Line Blog/Boutique http://thelunchxline.com/blog

September 7, 2011 @ 06:17 PM

ChriSxJetson

Post: 95

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: SC.....LA next fall.

And the shop will be carrying a good bit of vintage gear. That's where the Do The Right Thing inspiration comes from and the reason behind the bright colors being used.

Owner of The Lunch Line Blog/Boutique http://thelunchxline.com/blog

September 7, 2011 @ 07:21 PM

Inactive

I swear I was about to play Pacman or something when I entered the page. lol at the lobster claws in the background.-
But only privilege kids eat lobster, and your lunchline is a boutique right? You're too clever man, these clowns can't follow you.

Crazy colors could work out, since it's different. But as of right now it doesn't have the right feel to it, unless you want to sell lunchboxes with that print on, or something.

September 7, 2011 @ 08:10 PM

Fictitious

Post: 147

Join Date: Jun 2011

I swear I was about to play Pacman or something when I entered the page. lol at the lobster claws in the background.-
But only privilege kids eat lobster, and your lunchline is a boutique right? You're too clever man, these clowns can't follow you.

Crazy colors could work out, since it's different. But as of right now it doesn't have the right feel to it, unless you want to sell lunchboxes with that print on, or something.

I feel the same way, the flashy site might distract from your vintage clothing colors or streetwear tee's.

September 7, 2011 @ 08:32 PM

ChriSxJetson

Post: 95

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: SC.....LA next fall.

Yeah I mean you guys are a right, the site is loud. But I mean, there's not really too much I can do considering the fact I paid the designer. The homepage does look tacky with the lunchtray and everything. And once the site has been up for a while and I generate a lil income off it, I'ma redo the site probably. But as of right now I'm kind of stuck with what I have. I really appreciate the feedback though. Just that I'm kind of stuck with what I have at this point. I built a little buzz through twitter and when I get the products in, I think if its dope, people aren't, not going to not shop there because of the layout. However, your right it could distract the customer from the actual product.

Owner of The Lunch Line Blog/Boutique http://thelunchxline.com/blog

September 9, 2011 @ 04:37 PM

BarryGoods

Post: 404

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: http://www.proverse....

It's not bad.

Homepage doesn't say "buy clothes", but it's definitely interesting.

Just get a good mixture of old and new brands in there to start off.

That way you won't just be another store that sells only hundreds or stussy.

(understand that old brands do sell better then new ones, but it's always better to come different)

good luck.

P R O V E R S E | WWW.PROVERSE.COM | INSTAGRAM.COM/PROVERSEGOODS | PPP

September 9, 2011 @ 05:21 PM

Million Dozen

Post: 27

Join Date: May 2011

The site looks cool. I'm feeling the background image. I would approach smaller labels that are just starting off and have a buzz going. They usually have very small minimums or no minimums at all. Check out some of the brands on the karmaloop kazbah. You might be able to work something out with them. Maybe even consignment. Let me know how it goes.

September 9, 2011 @ 05:22 PM

Vinneus

Post: 54

Join Date: Dec 2008

Location: NY/NJ

check out beefmart.com

...best homemade, second hand boutique.

September 9, 2011 @ 11:10 PM

VOMITSPIT

Post: 2474

Join Date: Apr 2010

♥♥♥♥♥ when I entered the site I thought I was in a cool kids video

Supreme x CDG/ Raised By Wolves: http://hypebeast.com/forums/other-goods/175504/ Supreme x TNF: http://hypebeast.com/forums/apparel/161251

September 9, 2011 @ 11:14 PM

Fictitious

Post: 147

Join Date: Jun 2011

How much did you get charged for this website?

I like the animated home page.

But after that the store page is just like any old template. I hope your designer didnt charge you a huge dime for this

September 10, 2011 @ 11:22 AM

LukeGeorge

Post: 14

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: Liverpool / London

If you're thinking of a redesign in the future I'd suggest toning it down a lot. There are a few interesting elements but I think theirs too much all going on at once. Also have a look getting more of a custom shopping cart system, something more appealing to use. Have a look at stores like flatspot or oki-ni for inspiration maybe.

September 10, 2011 @ 01:02 PM

Rockwe11

Post: 43

Join Date: Jun 2011

Have you thought about something alone the lines of "drop shipping"? Try to get a connection with another website/shop that actually stocks inventory and sell items that they sell on their website or shop. You place the same items on your website. Once the item sells on your website, you place the order with them and they ship to you or your customer. It will help you get items that you normally can't get AND the bigger guys can turn over more inventory giving them a larger turnover. Of course, you may not get it at wholesale cost from them because they will want a margin too, but who knows...

One thing to keep in mind is that in business, there is no such a thing as impossible. Sometimes you may lose out on opportunities because you didn't ask.

Best of luck with your venture.

September 11, 2011 @ 08:00 AM

ChriSxJetson

Post: 95

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: SC.....LA next fall.

It's not bad.

Homepage doesn't say "buy clothes", but it's definitely interesting.

Just get a good mixture of old and new brands in there to start off.

That way you won't just be another store that sells only hundreds or stussy.

(understand that old brands do sell better then new ones, but it's always better to come different)

good luck.

I appreciate it, which brands are you referring to buy old brands ? Are you talking as far as the vintage gear or are you saying brands like stussy, supreme etc.? Because it's going to be very hard to get those type of brands in the shop especially with it being online only.

Owner of The Lunch Line Blog/Boutique http://thelunchxline.com/blog

September 11, 2011 @ 08:04 AM

ChriSxJetson

Post: 95

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: SC.....LA next fall.

How much did you get charged for this website?

I like the animated home page.

But after that the store page is just like any old template. I hope your designer didnt charge you a huge dime for this

I got charged about 1200 for everything. Logo/blog/shop. I know it sounds a bit overpriced but I shopped around with a good bit of designers n got quotes ranging from 2-5k from other designers. This guy was the cheapest one and I know I could've done most of this myself just by taking the little I know about web design n graphic design and just do a little more research or just asking a friend to help me, but before I had this design I was waiting on two friends of mine who were supposed to work on it, and both of them didn't take it too serious because they weren't getting paid and after a few months of them not showing anything I decided to just go to a real designer.

Owner of The Lunch Line Blog/Boutique http://thelunchxline.com/blog

September 11, 2011 @ 08:06 AM

ChriSxJetson

Post: 95

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: SC.....LA next fall.

And too everyone else who commented on this thread leaving feedback I really really appreciate it. Thanks.

Owner of The Lunch Line Blog/Boutique http://thelunchxline.com/blog

September 11, 2011 @ 04:49 PM

Rockwe11

Post: 43

Join Date: Jun 2011

I appreciate it, which brands are you referring to buy old brands ? Are you talking as far as the vintage gear or are you saying brands like stussy, supreme etc.? Because it's going to be very hard to get those type of brands in the shop especially with it being online only.

If you think your business model is going to really make you money and you think that this business is going to succeed you need to thinking bigger. My friend is a jewlery designer and she did mostly internet sales but she stepped it up and moved in a loft/studio/showroom. She now takes appointment only customers or drop ins from regular customers. A small internet business is fine but if you're gonna take this business seriously, make some big moves or you'll just get put in the dust of the rest.

My 2 cents

September 11, 2011 @ 05:11 PM

ChriSxJetson

Post: 95

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: SC.....LA next fall.

If you think your business model is going to really make you money and you think that this business is going to succeed you need to thinking bigger. My friend is a jewlery designer and she did mostly internet sales but she stepped it up and moved in a loft/studio/showroom. She now takes appointment only customers or drop ins from regular customers. A small internet business is fine but if you're gonna take this business seriously, make some big moves or you'll just get put in the dust of the rest.

My 2 cents

I agree. I do plan on opening up a spot after I graduate. This isn't going to be my only source of income. I'm moving to LA next month for film school at the Art Institute of California: Hollywood . I also plan on gettin a part time job out there if i can find one. But I figure this boutique n a part time job will help me get a lil extra change to pay off these loans. And hopefully I'll be able to open up a storefront soon after I graduate and also do video work on the side.

Owner of The Lunch Line Blog/Boutique http://thelunchxline.com/blog

September 11, 2011 @ 05:11 PM

ChriSxJetson

Post: 95

Join Date: Mar 2009

Location: SC.....LA next fall.

also plan on getting into stocks after a year after my boutique is open and i can analyze and budget my income and expenses.

Owner of The Lunch Line Blog/Boutique http://thelunchxline.com/blog