The two things that surprise golf startups the most
Heads up
I wanted to talk about the two things that surprise startup golf apparel brands the most.
The first thing is how long it takes to go from an idea to production.
While I can’t tell you for sure how long your development process is going to take, if you’re new to this I can tell you It’s probably going to take longer than you think.
Between design and tech pack creation, factory lead time, and prototype review and iteration, I recommend giving yourself one year to develop your new style.
Here’s why:
1. For your design, if you need to hire a designer you need to factor in the time it will take to find the designer, and the time it’s going to take for your design to be created. Your designer might be booked out and unable to start right away. Then, once your design is ready, you might need a couple rounds of revisions.
2. Factory lead time is a wild card and can vary from month to month even with the same factory. Give yourself at least a month to get your first prototype but check with your factory for exact timing.
3. As for prototype review, more on that below.
The second thing that surprises most startups is the prototype review process.
So, you’ve sent your tech pack to your factory and they send you your first proto.
You are probably not going to approve the first proto.
This doesn’t (necessarily) mean there’s anything wrong with your factory, and it doesn’t (necessarily) mean there’s something wrong with your tech pack.
This is just how the process goes.
I find, with startups especially, you may want up to three prototypes before you’re happy.
Here’s why this usually happens:
You might not like the fit. Sewing, cutting, and pattern drafting are not exact sciences, and fabric choice can drastically change the way something fits. No matter how good of fit measurements you give your factory, you might not be happy with the fit on the first go.
The factory missed something you asked for, or you’re not happy with how a design detail turned out.
You just changed your mind on something. With startups especially, this is super common.
Bigger, established brands often give themselves two years or more to develop their new styles and factor in needing 2 or 3 prototypes to get to an approved fit and styling.
I think it helps to know what to expect early on, so I hope sharing these tips helps make your brand journey a little smoother.
And, of course, if you need help, I’d love to!
Are you looking for a help with your golf tech pack, stuck in the proto review process, or wanting to chat about your next tech pack? Click the button below to schedule a call. I’d love to help!