USA-made Vs Overseas clothing manufacturing.

What was taught and discussed this week at The Apparel Mentor Group Live Session taught by Mindy Martell?

This week we had a great discussion on when it is appropriate to source USA-made factories vs. overseas.

First and foremost if it is integral to your band's vision, mission, or objective to make fair labor wages - then making in the USA is obviously the best way to go.

Secondly, communication with USA factories is generally easier and it is easier to visit and develop relationships.

BUT if your product/customers are very price sensitive making the USA is going to be next to impossible to do.

Every single brand I meet would LIKE to make in the USA. I have never met a brand that says, "ew, I would hate to make in the USA!"

But you have to ask yourself, is it one of the top concerns of my customers? Are my customers willing to pay 2-3 times more for a product because it is made in the USA?

The other thing to think about is if your product is not highly seasonal and if it has a lot of longevity and will last over several seasons or years then making in the USA can make more sense too.

As there are costs to starting a product up with a factory and this would help with cost reduction if the product has long life span in the market.

In the end, there were many members that are are still on the fence about which place owuld be best to produce their product so it is always best to dual source and get quotes from both USA and overseas.

Then you can guage which factory not only has a better price, but who is more responsive, who is taking you more seriuosly as a customer and who do you trust more in the long run.

Apparel entrepreneurs, this is just a snippet of the knowledge that Mindy imparts to her students. Sign up for The Apparel Mentor program to join the conversation and download our FREE App.

I'm happy to answer any of your questions with a 15 min consultation call. I've been there before and love helping fellow entrepreneurs.

Keep creating,
xx
Alyssa - Fellow Apparel Entrepreneur and Designer