Starting a business selling “save the planet” clothing worldwide can be a rewarding and impactful venture. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started:

1. Define your brand and values:

Establish a clear brand identity that aligns with your mission of sustainability and environmental consciousness.

Develop a strong brand message that resonates with your target audience and communicates your commitment to responsible practices.

Identify your niche within the sustainable clothing market, whether it’s organic materials, fair labor practices, or circular fashion.

2. Source sustainable materials:

Partner with suppliers that use eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled fabrics, and sustainably sourced fibers.

Prioritize low-impact manufacturing processes that minimize water and energy consumption, reduce waste, and utilize eco-friendly dyes and chemicals.

Obtain certifications from organizations like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and Fairtrade to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability.

3. Design eco-conscious clothing:

Create timeless and versatile designs that prioritize quality over quantity, encouraging long-term use and reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Consider circular design principles, incorporating features that facilitate easy repair, disassembly, and recycling.

Utilize eco-friendly packaging materials that are recyclable, compostable, or made from recycled content.

4. Establish an ethical supply chain:

Ensure your suppliers adhere to fair labor practices, providing safe working conditions, fair wages, and respect for worker rights.

Partner with local manufacturers whenever possible to reduce transportation emissions and support local communities.

Implement transparent supply chain practices, allowing customers to trace the origins of materials and manufacturing processes.

5. Build a strong online presence:

Create a user-friendly e-commerce website that showcases your products, highlights your sustainability initiatives, and provides a seamless shopping experience.

Utilize social media platforms to connect with your target audience, share your brand story, and engage with environmentally conscious consumers.

Implement effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to improve your website’s visibility and attract organic traffic.

6. Market your brand effectively:

Collaborate with eco-conscious influencers and organizations to promote your brand and reach a wider audience.

Participate in sustainable fashion events and trade shows to showcase your products and network with industry professionals.

Offer discounts and promotions to attract new customers and encourage repeat business.

7. Implement sustainable practices throughout your business:

Adopt eco-friendly office practices, reducing paper consumption, using renewable energy sources, and minimizing waste.

Offset your carbon emissions through initiatives like planting trees or supporting renewable energy projects.

Educate your customers about the importance of sustainability and encourage them to adopt eco-friendly practices.

8. Stay informed and adapt to industry trends:

Keep up with the latest developments in sustainable fashion, emerging technologies, and consumer preferences.

Continuously evaluate your sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution practices to identify opportunities for improvement.

Adapt your business model and product offerings to meet the evolving demands of environmentally conscious consumers.

Do these fast-fashion clothes add to the problem?

The huge garment pile is growing by about 39,000 tons a year. A mountain of discarded clothes in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile has reached such huge proportions that it can be seen from space.

There is an Exponential Curve of Effort, and right now you’re about to “build and brand” on Merch alone?

I wouldn’t do this until your “Save the Planet, Save the Animals” Thesis has matured.

The margins on Merch, without solid Brand Belief and Messaging are slim.

So, how much do you need to build a life you don’t want to escape from?

$40,000 a year? $60K, $100K, $300K?

You well a shirt for $30, do you get $3?
If you’re trying to do $40K, that’s 13,333 shirts you need to Market AND Sell.

Do you or your artist deserve to eat during this time? What other developmental costs are there?

If this were my dream, I’d stratify Offers along that curve of Effort.

What do you know about Animal Protection or Conservation?

What sponsors are you courting for your continued existence?

What Lead Magnets can you offer to others to build Trust and also give them valuable Conservation Information?

How are you leading them to initiatives that make a REAL Difference?

The essence you might be looking for is known as Positioning. And right now you are about to need to Position your Self, not as a Hobbyist, but as a Conservation Expert.

What have you learned about it so deeply that you’re willing to Teach? That’s been THE best way I’ve found to build Brand Ethos quickly.

If you’re wanting to test it as a concept, Everpress might a good option. It has a kickstarter-ish model to it, they only print and fulfill the orders if you hit the minimum sales quantity (I believe it’s 10). Very useful for aspiring artists but I think it might also align for you. No website, inventory, or extra work. Just design, share the mockup and product link with your followers and see if anything happens. Hope that helps!

Before you look into all the details, find out if your followers want to buy from you.

Make some mockups of shirts, then actively push them to your followers at a realistic price point ($40-50 for a tee).

You want to make it a real sale - don’t ask them if they would buy.

You will know within a day whether it’s doomed, or if you can turn it into a business.

The planet doesn’t need to be saved. Earth was a boiling lava rock for millions of years.

It doesn’t give a shit.

Humanity and in your case animals need climate to stay constant. Not the planet.

Although 99% of species are already extinct.

First step, invent eco-friendly way to ship things worldwide! Step two, profit!