It seems only yesterday I was chasing down my first few clients, frantically trying to figure out how to make a suit while at the same time selling suits. It seems ten years have passed in the blink of an eye, and it’s hard to imagine this hasn’t all been a dream. It also seems I’ll begin my year as usual; reflecting on the past year and sifting through everything I’ve learnt, to bring you some down to earth insights into running a fashion business.
Lesson #1: Be real
Some truths, especially financial ones, are unpleasant, and it’s easier to focus on living your dream than balancing your accounts. There’s so much hustle culture out there that we can feel like failures for not being unicorns. But in reality most businesses are scraping by, surviving only by skimping the owners salary and benefits.
The advantages of running a business are many, and include more autonomy over your time and activities. BUT, baring the few cases that get all the media attention, it comes at the cost of your financial stability, social life, and sanity.
Lesson #2: Have a thick skin
Being in business means putting yourself out there, and out there is where people have a lot of opinions to share. Some of it is just trivial jabber, some of it is invaluable feedback, but none of it concerns you as a person. Your products or services are separate from your soul, and although critisicm can burn to the core, remember its about your business, not you personally.
Lesson #3 exhaustion kills creativity.
In an industry that demands constant innovation, we press ourselves to always supply the market with the new. But all that creativity must come from somewhere, and downtime is an important incubator of creativity. In a world where we’re stimulated 100% of the time, boredom can be an invaluable tool in lubricating the creative gears.
Lesson #4 there are multiple right answers.
One of my biggest dreams of working with the best tailors in the world came true in 2023 when I studied in Germany with Brigitte Pappe. A truly phenomenal woman with a depth of knowledge only achieved through a lifetime of dedication to her craft.
Although I gained a mountain of knowledge (and new equipment) the biggest lesson was that there just isn’t one right way to make a suit, but rather an ever increasing body of knowledge from which to draw in order to complete each unique garment.
Perhaps school drugged us into needing those absolutely rigth answers, and the immediate feedback of an authority figure. Perhaps its human nature to seek certainty. Ultimately you must judge for yourself if you brought your A game, and stick to your decisions as being your best work at the time.
Lesson #5: Don’t be shy to reach out
No one can know everything, and knowing when to ask for help is an important skill. People are generally helpful when asked for advice, just be sure not to be a user and not give back or pay it forward. People can pick up on that pretty quickly.
With our interconnected world it’s so easy to reach out on any number of platforms. There’s really a wealth of knowledge out there, it’s up to you to access it.
Thank you so much to everyone who’s supported me over the years. I feel so blessed to serve every customer in my simple way. I’m so excited to see what 2024 brings, especially since we’re finally load shedding free!
If you enjoyed this blog I’ve written a similar one every year since starting the business in 2014, you can find last year’s one here
If you want to know more about the business check out the About Page, and up your fashion game with our Style Guide. Also follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and you can always get in touch via email (benjaminsaccaggi@gmail.com) or phone (+27 73 345 1779)
The Green Tailor 