Is this a good business idea??

i am 16 and am interested in opening my own business in the next few years!i have an idea to open up a clothes shop for men and women, but i will sell clothes from new designers as they need to get onto the scene too!i was thinking of doing this from home first or on ebay and then progressing towards a retail unit!
is this a good idea??

By posing the question you have changed it from being is this a good idea to will someone now steal it before you can get the funds to do it your self?
The first thing you need to learn is about intellectual property and copyright.

No, fashion is getting new by the hour, styles can change in less than one day.
Trust me, if u buy the clothes, u may have them for years and noone will buy from u.
Good luck

its probably been done before, but yes its a good idea.

The problem with selling clothes on the net is that people are reluctant to buy because they like to try them on first.

Check out the history of boo.com to see where I am coming from.

Why would new designers use your outlet? What's your appeal and track record? Solve that and it may be a good idea.

Definitely- there are lots of people out there who can sew and make clothes- some do it as a hobby, so i'm sure you could find suppliers. Start small and build the business up. Starting selling online is good as it cuts costs and overheads. Top shop started doing a similar thing with a vintage style clothing line- people love one offs too. Who knows- you may end up selling to celebrities. People also like items they can't always find on the highstreet.

There is a website that does this with goods
http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/

Get in touch with the fashion departments of unis and colleges and arts and crafts organisations locally.

All the best.

umm...this one is a hard one...but i think starting it from home is better then starting it from ebay...yes is a good idea....but make sure u have a good financial plan

I think that opening up a business is a great idea, since you will be your own boss! But, first you have to learn how to do it, and need the skills and education to do it. To start, go to the library and check out books on creating your own small business. It will give you an idea about whether or not it sounds like too much work, or what other skills/education you may need to embark on your endeavor.

If it is something that sounds good to you, then you need to decide whether or not to take the path to college to help you prepare for your career, or to start the business right away. I would go to a small business development center and meet with someone there.

I'm a big advocate of education. If I were in your shoes I would look at college that have a business major with a concentration of learning how to open up your own business.

Good luck!

To minimise any financial risk, you can do a deal with your designers/suppliers. You tell them that you'll put photos and description of their garment on the website and when you get an order you'll buy off them. This way you keep yourself more secure than if you were to spend so much money up front for bulk orders that you don't know you can sell. When you see a particular style going quickly then perhaps you can buy in bulk and it may work out cheaper for you. As for new designers wanting to sell clothes to you: it's not the designers you have to convince, it's your customers. You have to show them that the clothing you sell, although unknown label, are very high quality and fashionable. Good luck with your new venture, I hope I'll get 1 or 2 free items in exchange for my advice.

It's a good idea that will benefit you and the designers, of course there are issues to this. It's not a good idea to sell it on line, since you're not known yet, neither are the designers, people can't trust you when it comes to size and stuff like that.
It's better to open your shop on a nice location where people will notice it, your house I'm not sure, it would look unprofessional, it could be hard at first, but once you get people to know you it'll be easier.
You're 16? wow that's really good you're that ambitious at such a young age, good luck! but don't quit studying and always listen to older people who are experienced and can give you good advices.

Yes, it is a good idea. But I think it would work if you showed illustrations of the clothes before you sell to your customers, or if you make a deal with the designers on the basis that they get paid when you make a sell on their stuff. Other than that it could crash and burn and bring you down with it(that's just a warning, not what will definetely happen)

This is a fantastic idea!! I think you are strong willed, determined and have your head screwed on!! By starting up at home and on ebay it gives you the opportunity to develop slowly and without the pressures of overheads, I certainly wish you all the best!!