For new people looking at starting a line, here are a few more things to bear in mind that may not be clear. <h3>1.Take advice with a measure of skepticism and a grain of salt. </h3> Often times, people will try and tell you that just putting your name on a shirt is not gonna cut it. And they are right. They are also wrong. If you take a look at most every major brand, the NAME was the most important thing about the company. You think OBEY would have been anywhere near as successful if it didn't say OBEY under Andre the Giants face? No. Your name is your message, it is important. And even if you don't have a ton of artwork that blows people's minds, if you can establish a system of confidence and belief in your brand, or what your brand "will" be, then you can gain a following early on. So there is nothing wrong with making shirts that bear your logo/company name as long as they are done well. As a personal example, when I first started out, I thought it was so important for me to have amazing graphics for my brand. But I neglected to realize that some companies are not graphic tee brands. You may realize later into making your business plan that you don't want to do what everyone else is doing. There is nothing wrong with that in the least, and yes, it wont get you any tee of the day awards here, but you will have a solid idea of what you want from your brand, and what YOU want is more important than what people on this site EXPECT to see. <h3>2. It's a difficult business.</h3> Unless you have insane godlike ability to draw, or you have a sugar mama to fund your first line, its going to be extremely difficult to succeed, and you might fail. The failing part is almost an inevitability, especially if your like me, and don't possess any schooling or secular training that help with running a clothing company. But if you have heart, you'll make it. Keep in mind that all it takes is one mess up or one design that doesn't sell as well as you thought to set you back with your plans to further your business. CAREFULLY pick which designs you want to print. People have a tendency to say, "DUDE! Love it, will totally pick this up if you buy it!", then you are left with a box of shirts that haven't sold. So don't rely too heavily on what people MIGHT do, because often times, they are full of crap. <h3>3. Do it for you.</h3> This is probably the most overstated tip ever, but its still true. Don't let the status quo stop you from progression. There is an established ideology of whats acceptable and what is not, ANYWHERE. Emptees and the clothing industry are no different. Don't be a slave to what other people are doing, and the precedents they set, be you, even if it takes a while for people to catch on to your originality. Success takes time, energy, heavy drinking, and a lot of money, so don't rush it. And to the people who tell you that you wont make it, or that you suck, well, sometimes, success is the best form of revenge. Knock em dead. 2009-05-28T03:49:23-04:00 0 2009-05-28T03:49:23-04:00 true 0 33381 false false 1822 1 2009-11-21T06:27:24-05:00 110