Dear Designers,
Can you identify the areas of your fashion business where you’re making assumptions?
I know, it’s difficult. But here’s something to remember: too often we, as fashion business owners, overlook the things we’re sure that we already know.
We make assumptions about things in our businesses and as a result, we often don’t make the progress we want to be making.
We’re so sure that we already know…
who our customer really is and what they want
that we can’t afford to hire help
that our marketing collateral is working well for us
what we have to do in order to be “legit”
the best way to spend (or not spend) money in the business
We fall into the trap of believing that there are set answers to all of these things and we make the assumption that once we figure them out, we’re done.
Assumptions are dangerous. They cause us to get lazy, to stop innovating, to stop experimenting, and ultimately to stifle growth.
So it’s important to challenge our assumptions on a regular basis.
We need to ask ourselves questions every day. One question that works really is, “Why?”
Why do you believe this certain thing about your customer?
Why do you think you can’t afford to hire help?
Why do you believe that marketing collateral is working well for your business?
Why do you need X to be legit?
Why is that the best way to approach spending in your business?
And then keep asking why until you have the real answer.
When we ask ourselves this question, it does wonders for challenging our assumptions. It causes us to dive deeper into how we run our businesses. And it creates a healthy amount of resistance to complacency.
When we make it a habit to not overlook the things that we’re sure we already know, we take a giant step in the direction of growth.
So, here’s your challenge. Sit down and make your list. Be honest with yourself about what you’re overlooking simply because you’re “sure.” Actively work on stomping those assumptions out by asking yourself why. And then, finally, head in the direction of “What if…” and see how that simple shift in thinking can bring about enormous change.
Lots of love and encouragement,
