You want to start a fashion brand, launch a new product, or open an online shop. But how do you get started and who can help? It’s not like you can just hire a full staff and launch a company from day 1. Of course not. There’s a bewildering amount of things you have to do to prepare, not to mention getting your products designed and manufactured.
We know there are a lot of options out there competing for your attention. But there’s only place where you can have almost all your needs met under one roof, and that’s right here with us.
Here are 4 key reasons why Prototype is the right choice for you, right now.
Reason 1) We Know Exactly What It Takes
How do we know we’re the right fit for you? It’s because we built this company specifically for this purpose: to help small brands better compete in the global apparel industry. We’re not just your hype team, trying to get you excited about this then leaving you to figure it out on your own. We have been through the process so many times that we know exactly what it takes. Nothing more, nothing less. The path isn’t easy, perhaps, but it IS clear. You just need someone you can trust to guide you through it.
Reason 2) We Speak YOUR Language
Manufacturers have a well-deserved reputation for not “getting it” when you’re trying to work with them on your designs. That’s no surprise, because there’s way more to it then just a simple language barrier. They come from a technical — not creative — background. They do their best to help you, but they’re at a distinct disadvantage because they don’t have the same background as you. They speak a totally different language in terms of culture, shopping habits, pricing requirements, and more. It makes it difficult, if not impossible, to clearly communicate your goals and be able to expect them to really get it.
At Prototype, we understand you. We’re the same as you. Because we’re an American company, working together with staff from 5 countries, we have the range of experience and shared cultural values that make it easy for us to quickly understand what you’re trying to do, why, and how we can help to bring added value to your process and your products.
Reason 3) We Are Creatives Too
Another thing you’ll never get from a factory: creative input. Most factories are totally averse to providing creative input because they know it’s not their area of expertise and they’ve learned the hard lesson that they should just keep their mouths shut and let you make all the creative decisions.
At Prototype, we haven’t yet learned our lesson to keep our mouths shut. Sometimes we wish we had! But we well understand that developing a new product — whether it’s high fashion apparel or a practical product — requires a creative design process of trial & error, feedback & revision. That’s just good practice!
As the founder here at Prototype, my earlier background was in architecture. For many years I worked closely with clients through a lengthy collaborative process to design highly-detailed luxury homes and sophisticated interiors. The best ideas and execution always comes through thoughtful collaboration and a rigorous process. We search for those creative qualities in our staffing and we make sure that each member of the team is not only performing their job well, but also always looking out for the bigger picture, best interests of your brand.
Reason 4) We Have Helped Many Others Just Like You
We’ve been at this for quite a while now! And during those years we’ve helped literally hundreds of brands, big and small, with a tremendously wide variety of products.
Every brand is different. As it should be! The differences are what make a brand competitive. They enable it to stand out, to have a vibe — a personality — that your customers will fall in love with. We love working with brands that have a bright personality. They’re so easy to love! For that reason, we always resisted the urge to over-specialize and lose the flexibility and entrepreneurial spark that made us so popular with our clients.
But for all their differences, there are a few things that every brand needs to be successful:
- Great Communication with Partners & Customers
- A Clear, Consistent Design & Development Process
- A Strong Team with Varied Skills
- An Ethical & Capable Manufacturer
- A Positive Brand Culture with a Growth Mindset
No brand can survive without those requirements. And no brand can fail with them.
Prototype will be your most valuable partner, filling critical roles in your brand development and helping set you on the path to greatness. So, shall we begin?
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