New Business Advice

[àluinn]

Hi Everyone,

First real post over the introduction one I did last night, (please be gentle). I've identified what I think it the correct part of the forum.

Bit of background, I got covid pretty bad and ended up in a coma, I was in hospital for 4.5 months before getting home and then my hearing failed. I was unable to return to my previous job as an airline pilot as my hearing fell below the CAA threshold to hold a class 1 medical so find myself in my mid 40's looking to forge a new career. Which is a bit daunting when I thought I was on a set path till retirement.



I have had a few lightbulb moments where I think I've identified gaps in the marker or niche's to exploit. The issue is most times I don't experience in the industry or after investigation it seems full of pitfalls.

About a week ago I had one of these Eureka moments and have spend the last week engrossed in padding out the idea. I've already spoken to a lovely lady at the Tartan registry and a number of helpful people at a few mills. If Neil, Anne or Lucy frequent here, thank you again.

I've identified a few mills I think could do the quantity and lead times I require (Ingles Buchan, Lochcarron, Andrew Elliot) unfortunately two of them have yet to respond despite chasing emails which is a little disheartening.

There's a few questions I hope the actual professionals on here may be able to answer, it would really help me out if you could share your knowledge. I've spent the last day learning all about 10oz and 16oz and their uses, setts and herring bone edges on a particular edge. Scottish provenance and supporting similar business' here is key.



Initial Run - to prove the concept I'd start with commissioning scarves. Can anyone suggest how many will both pique interest from a mill and take me from plucky amateur status and the general thresholds where the price per item drops?

Production - How are scarves made, is e.g. 30m of fabric produced and then cut and turned into them or do/can they come off the loom good to go? I appreciate to a professional weaver this may come across as the dumbest question ever.

Pricing - If anyone is willing to share that sort of information on the forum or in DM I'd appreciate it. Even just ballpark figures.

Materials - How does the cost of cashmere vs lambswool for a trade customer differ? Are there any additional considerations?

Mills - In addition to the three mentioned above would anyone else recommend any others or throw their own hat in the ring?

Lead Times - I've been told a month to set everything up and three months later the finished items. Is that about right? Some people I have spoken to have said there are setup fees that are waived with a certain length of fabric is ordered.

Relationships - What is the best way to establish a trade relationship, what do commercial weavers look for in trade customers? ..... other than paying on time and in full.

White Label - Will any of the mills produce packaging with my company logo and brand identity?

Labels - A big part of it is having something that conveys exclusivity, I notice Harris Tweed have labels with sequential numbers, can anyone suggest companies who can produce these please? Are these domestically produced or unique to Harris Tweed?

Additional Products - There may very well be scope for kilts and other goods. Harris Tweed have expanded into leather goods (wallets, purses, handbags) which incorporate their fabrics. With things like this are the components sourced abroad and assembled here, assembled abroad, is the manufacturer a third party who can produce for any customer?

Widening the fabric range/designs - Initially it will be bespoke tartans, but in time I think there could be a market for tweed and houndstooth and printed silks. For the weaving aspect can most mills accomplish the first three? And do any have the capacity for silks (probably printed patterns) or is that another thing entirely?

Any other advice, best practices, top tips, red flags or must do's would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance,

Stephen