Me Printing Fake Name Cards and Handing Them Out Like Smarties at the Canton Fair

(Start a Clothing Brand, They Said. It’ll Be Fun, They Said.)

You haven’t truly entered the fashion business until you’ve printed a stack of dodgy name cards at a hotel lobby computer centre and handed them out like Halloween candy to get catalogues, samples, and a bit of fake respect at the Canton Fair.

Starting a clothing brand doesn’t come with a rulebook, but if it did, “Pretend you’re your own assistant” would be on page one.

Level Up Your Sourcing

If you’re navigating the chaos of sourcing, faking confidence, or trying to look like you’re not completely winging it—welcome. You’re in the right place.

And yes, there’s a better way to start a clothing brand without going full undercover agent. My garment sourcing course, Garment Sourcing 101, breaks down how to do this right. With real names. Real suppliers. And real results.

So You Want to Start a Clothing Brand Without a Stack of Lies and Stress?

Let’s get something straight: starting a clothing brand isn’t glamorous. It’s Excel files, WhatsApp messages at 3am, and occasionally pretending to be your own logistics manager because “buyers” get treated better than “designers.”

But here’s the good news—you don’t need to fake it forever. You just need the skills, systems, and sourcing street smarts to make the game work for you.

Step 1: Pick a Niche Before You Pick a Logo

Your niche is the cheat code. It makes everything—from sampling to marketing—easier. The more specific you get, the easier it is to:

• Find factories that care

• Pick fabrics that work

• Attract customers who get you

Want to start a clothing brand? Figure out who you’re designing for first. Then design for them like you mean it.

Build Your Brand Smarter

Step 2: Get a Tech Pack. Not Just a Moodboard.

A tech pack is how you go from “inspiration” to “actual garment.” It shows factories you know what you want. Without it, they’re guessing—and your guesswork gets expensive.

Every successful fashion brand has solid development documents. Yours should include:

• Flat sketches

• Specs

• Labels

• Trims

• Fabric notes

Don’t worry if you’re not a designer—I teach how to create one in Garment Sourcing 101 with examples and templates.

Step 3: Build Factory Relationships Without Pretending to Be Someone Else

The hustle is real, but it doesn’t have to be sketchy.

You can start a clothing brand with low MOQs, great communication, and clear expectations. That’s what factories actually want.

What to do:

• Write professional intro emails

• Ask smart sourcing questions

• Be upfront about your size and goals

If you look prepared—even with small orders—suppliers take you more seriously. Fake name cards optional.

Step 4: Sampling Is Where It Gets Real (and Really Weird)

Here’s what to expect:

• The first sample is rarely perfect

• Something will be lost in translation

• You’ll suddenly care deeply about zipper types

This is where your feedback skills matter. Every round of sampling makes your product (and you) sharper.

Pro tip: Always sample first. Don’t bulk order from just a catalogue. And don’t assume the “perfect sample” was made in the same conditions as the final order.

Step 5: Understanding MOQ So You Don’t Drown in Inventory

MOQ = Minimum Order Quantity. It’s how factories keep things cost-effective. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck ordering 2,000 units.

In Garment Sourcing 101, I show you how to negotiate startup-friendly MOQs, and what levers to pull (fabric stock, trims, shared patterns) to reduce them.

Start a clothing brand the smart way—test small, scale up.

Step 6: Freight, Fees, and All the Fun Stuff No One Puts on Instagram

You got the samples. You approved the order. Now… how do you get it home?

Welcome to:

• Incoterms

• Freight forwarders

• Customs clearance

• Duties and taxes

This is where most founders get surprised (and not in a good way). Don’t guess your way through it. The course covers everything you’ll need to know to avoid stress and surprise invoices.

Step 7: Launch With a Plan, Not Just a Canva Post

Starting a clothing brand isn’t just sourcing and sampling. It’s storytelling.

To launch properly, you need:

• A value prop

• A community or early audience

• Pre-launch hype (without cringe)

• Post-launch fulfilment and feedback loops

If you’re building everything else right but don’t know how to launch—you’ll stall. Launch strategy is part of the build, not an afterthought.

TL;DR – You Can Start a Clothing Brand Without the Fakery

We’ve all done it. Printed a few fake titles. Inflated a few purchase plans. Smiled through factory tours hoping they don’t ask if you’re really “Mr. Operations.”

But eventually, you’ve got to build something real:

• Real factory relationships

• Real documentation

• Real production workflows

That’s where the wins happen.

Final Word: No More Fake Name Cards. You’re the Real Deal Now.

I made Garment Sourcing 101 because I know the hustle—and I know the shortcuts that actually work.

In the course:

• Learn how to source like a pro

• Get factory-ready documentation

• Build supplier trust from day one

Start a clothing brand the right way, with real strategy—not recycled catalogs and high-stakes guesswork.

👉 Join the course and finally feel like you belong at that Canton Fair table.