Building a Women's Suit Business (with SEWT) // The Exchange #022

The Exchange with Sunil Prasad

Luan joined us on the podcast to tell us about her company "Sewt," which makes suits tailored especially for women.

We chatted about her story and process of how she came to own her business after taking her masters degree; what to avoid when starting a women's clothing company; how fashion sense differs between men & women and how that relates to her business; and plenty more.

From Sewt's website:
"A female-founded company, SEWT stands for Suits Especially for Women Tailored. Our mission is to build a community to help women grow in their professional careers, and empower women to show the world what being a professional woman truly means. We do this by crafting suits especially made for women, and by aligning ourselves with women focused initiatives."

Thanks for coming by, Luan! Check them out below:

https://www.sewt.ca
- Shop: https://www.sewt.ca/shop/
- Contact: https://www.sewt.ca/contact/
Facebook: @sewtofficial
Instagram: @sewtofficial
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/sewtofficial/

Timestamps:

( 00:00 - 00:37 ) Introducing Luan and her company, "Sewt"
( 00:37 - 05:17 ) Luan's background story; getting her MBA; and starting her company based off of a school project.
( 05:18 - 05:59 ) Sewing in-house and overseas.
( 06:00 - 07:59 ) "Bespoke" versus "Made to Measure" and how Sewt caters to clients.
( 08:00 - 11:00 ) How often men buy suits vs. women and how that works with Sewt's business model + exploring with women's suit market.
( 11:01 - 13:37 ) Are men & women wearing less suits or more suits to the office?
( 13:38 - 15:42 ) Comparing online retail to traditional brick & mortar and why cost for retail real estate may actually drop.
( 15:43 - 17:58 ) Sewt's process for getting a new suit for clients - online or in-office.
( 17:58 - 20:22 ) Different ways of having a retail store like mobile trailers and pop-ups.
** ( 20:22 ) Q&A begins.
* ( 20:22 - 25:37 ) How does dressing a certain way manifest in a particular locale, and what does it mean in a given culture? -- ie: the state of fashion in Vancouver.
* ( 25:37 - 28:32 ) I haven't studied fashion design but I want to start clothes branding, is it possible?
* ( 28:32 - 30:57 ) I want to start my own fashion business, what is the best way I can get in touch with people who can design my logo/t-shirts/etc.
* ( 30:57 - 34:16 ) Should I invest in a social media manager, or a course in social media management?
* ( 34:16 - 40:38 ) I am starting an online clothing business... what things should I be putting first? What mistakes or blunders should I avoid?
* ( 40:44 - end ) What is your best advice for starting a clothing company?