Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Ashley:

I It sounds like you aim to follow in the footsteps of the Bloomingdales and Nordstrom clans! In order to own a boutique and then a more complex business such as a department store, it's primary that you know how a retail business operates. One way to do this would be to get a job in the kind of boutique that you'd like to own one day. If you can't get that kind of job right off, get a job in any kind of store, because you want to learn the workings of the retail business from the ground up. From your first job at retail, work your way up in terms of job stability, skills, and work experience so that your resume reflects your growing expertise. Become an assistant manager and then a manager. You'll need to know how to handle the cash, do customer service, and manage a team of workers. Then, working for a clothing boutique, you can learn about the buying process, seasonal sales, and other things a fashion business owner deals with. It's a good idea to learn all you can while working for someone else before going out on your own.

A Merchandise Marketing degree from FIDM is a great way to launch a career owning your own retail business. Check the FIDM Stars archives for an article about Barkley Hope, who opened her own self-named boutique after graduating from FIDM. With FIDM's quick, two-year program, it could soon be you that people are reading about!

Sincerely, Fashion Girl