Starting A (Tshirt) Company

Question: Hi! I'm writing because I was interested in starting my own t-shirt line and noticed that you already have a line. Could you give me some advice on how to advertise my shirts and any other helpful advice? Talk to you soon and have a great day.

Answer: Hi :) My biggest tips are:

• Set a purpose for your company. Setting a purpose helps keep you grounded and helps you to reflect on the success of your company. It can be easy to lose focus, but if you have a company purpose or mission to look back on, you can't get lost in the process of being an entrepreneur.
  
• Sell a product that makes you happy. It goes back to reflection. Everyone's not going to like your products, but if you're happy with what you're producing, then that's all that matters. Don't do it for anyone but yourself. If it becomes something that's not making you happy, stop doing it.
  
• Be honest with your customers. Good customer service is sooooo key, especially now that people run to social media to vent. One upset customer can be your biggest nightmare. Stay on top of your orders, answer emails consistently, and keep current with any media usage ie your website. If something happens, such as a delayed order, stay in contact with the customer to update them on the progress. Customers left out in the dark get angry, but if you're explaining to them what's going on, they'll be comforted by that.
  
• Utilize social media and networking. Given this economy, it's toughhh for entrepreneurs. Networking is key. Twitter, blogging, youtube, facebook, etc. are all great ways to expose others to your company. The more you do so, the more customers you are likely to have. Reach out to bloggers and ask for free publicity. Pass out business cards to people you meet. Attend large conferences, expos, meetups, etc. to help get your name out.
  
• Be patient. Again I say, it's TOUGHHHHH to be an entrepreneur. Even an ittie bittie one like us lol. You may be open for 7 months before people order from you. Many businesses don't make it within the first year. Knowing that upfront will help drive you further and will stop you from being disappointed. If you expect tough times, you can plan your strategy to avoid them. There's been plenty of times where Sierra and I bbm each other and say, "Yeah soooo... there's 0.72 in the account *shrugs shoulders*" lol