Perhaps your interest in fashion is greater than an aesthetic concern, leaning toward the entrepreneurial. There are several new resources for small businesses in the fashion industry in Portland. The Changing Room Magazine launched Friday night with a soiree, and the first copies were distributed. Since some of our number here at ultra are writing for it, we can’t be impartial, but it’s a good little mag that promises info to help shop owners and designers do better business. And the cover photo by Kevin Focht of Jenifer from Q6 is hot.
Shop 08, billed as “a conference for independents” is coming up March 10. A day-long event with lectures and panels on topics ranging from email marketing to building brands to buzz generation brought to you by Ericka Dickey who does the Crave shopping parties, Shop 08 is aimed at independent business owners of all stripes. Of interest: Chris Van Dyke of Nau is keynote/welcome speaker. Oh, and ultra will be participating on another panel about trends and how businesses can respond to them effectively.
Lastly, William Weinstein’s Center of Excellence may prove to be an interesting resource for certain emerging fashion businesses offering “R&D, design, outsourced manufacturing, marketing, sales and operational expertise” as well as seed capital for idea-preneurs, those with great ideas and less-than-great business expertise. Their team is especially interested in patentable ideas and has most experience in footwear, but Weinstein is eager to reach out to fashion for those ready to go long.
WHAT TO DO NOW?