This post is the first in a series where we share insights we gain from what might be a risky, perhaps even misguided decision to launch Sol & Sumo’s, “Made in Portugal” (a working title) clothing collection through crowdfunding instead of a more traditional pre-order program.
According to experts, we might be crazy, but we invite you to follow along and see how this all unfolds.
Launching a Fashion Collection: Two Responsible Options
When launching a new fashion collection, a young brand like Sol & Sumo has two launch options that responsibly gauge demand and minimize waste. First, there’s the traditional pre-order program, which is typically executed using tools already integrated with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify. These tools are straightforward, pretty easy to manage but, transactional.
Alternatively, you can opt for crowdfunding on platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo. While offering the same pre-order functionality as traditional tools, crowdfunding adds an extra layer of engagement. It enables brands to tell a more compelling story and interact creatively with their audience, turning a simple pre-order into a community-building opportunity.
Unfortunately for young fashion brands, crowdfunding can be risky and often fail. Why?
Because a successful campaign requires:
- More creativity and vision to define and launch.
- More effort to differentiate and stand out.
- Unique assets and advantages that many young brands simply don’t have.
Despite the extra effort required and expert skepticism, we’re choosing crowdfunding to launch our Made in Portugal Collection. We believe in what we’re launching. So, call us crazy—but we’re going for it.
Why We Believe in Crowdfunding for This Launch
At Sol & Sumo, our stated mission is to create fashion and lifestyle collections that unite a global community of people who celebrate a Zest for Life. Crowdfunding aligns beautifully with this mission of community building and this made us lean into the idea in the first place. After digging deeper, we began to believe that we had a real chance of executing a successful campaign because we have specific assets and advantages that give us a great shot at success.
Let’s explore these perceived assets and advantages so you can judge for yourself whether we’re being practical or looking at this through “rose-colored glasses.”
Unique Perks, Shared Passion and Differentiation
Intriguing, Unique and Desirable Perks:
Because Sol & Sumo was born from our personal life experiences and inspired by the beauty and essence of Portugal, we’re able to offer truly unique perks without them feeling forced or out of place.
Imagine cruising along the picturesque Douro River to a stunning winery for a two-night stay. While there, you’ll be treated to an exclusive fashion show, indulge in wine and port tastings, and savor authentic Portuguese cuisine, all before cruising back to Porto.
Or, how about visiting our manufacturer in Guimarães, followed by a weekend in Braga, a city founded by the Romans in 16 BC, where you will have VIP access to enjoy the famous Noite Branca Music and Arts festival?
Perks like these tie directly into our brand’s mission and spirit, offering life experiences that make our crowdfunding campaign stand out from the crowd. See what I did there?
Aligned Values with Our Manufacturing Partner:
We’re fortunate and extremely excited to partner with a family-run, ethical, and sustainability-focused manufacturer in Northern Portugal, the heart of the country’s world-renowned clothing industry. While many brands choose to hide who manufactures their clothing, we can proudly showcase this partnership. Our manufacturer's commitment to ethics and sustainability aligns perfectly with our values.
This alignment is a key advantage that enhances our marketing options and significantly boosts the credibility of our campaign.
Innovation with an Award-Winning Fabric:
What sets this collection apart from a practical point of view is the cutting-edge terry fabric we’re using. It’s lightweight, high-performance, snag-free, and durable. Fewer than 10 manufacturers worldwide, possibly even fewer than 5, have the capability to produce this fabric. Our partner, recently recognized with industry awards for this fabric innovation, now leads the way in crafting clothing and accessories with this highly sought-after material.
If you look at the most successful clothing crowdfunding campaigns, they most often stand out due to innovations in either garment design or cutting-edge materials. Our ability to leverage fabric innovation to create stylish Beach to Street clothing and accessories is a key differentiator for us.
Experience is on Our Side:
Over the years, my wife and I have had the incredible fortune of launching businesses while living in multiple countries. Each life experience and venture has enriched us with practical knowledge, global perspectives, and invaluable connections with people from all walks of life. These connections aren’t just business contacts; they’re family, friends, partners, and long-time supporters.
Having this global network of connections gives us a unique advantage in executing a successful crowdfunding campaign. We are fortunate that we can tap into an existing, global network of potential advocates to help us build early momentum that’s critical for a successful campaign.
Building Community Is Our Mission:
As I stated earlier, building a passionate, engaged community is core to our mission. Crowdfunding enables us to engage with our supporters before the campaign launches and throughout its duration. We can have real-time discussions, gather feedback, answer questions, share updates, and build lasting connections.
Our genuine passion for building a community aligns perfectly with the strengths of crowdfunding. Being able to connect with people at this level is the clinching reason why we’ve chosen crowdfunding to launch our Made in Portugal Collection.
Time to Execute: Join the Ride
With our crowdfunding strategy chosen, it’s time to bring it to life. We’ve already started building an exclusive waitlist for early supporters and are gearing up for the campaign launch in mid to late October. There’s always the chance we could fail, and that’s okay—we’re giving it our best shot. Failure is part of the entrepreneurial journey, and this isn’t our first rodeo.
From now until launch day, and likely beyond, we’ll be sharing regular updates and insights, giving you a front-row seat to the highs, lows, and lessons along the way. We hope this series provides value to others considering a similar path.
Become an Early Supporter of our Campaign
If you are intrigued, we’re thrilled to invite you to become a key part of our early efforts by joining our exclusive waitlist. Early access means you’ll be first in line for one-of-a-kind perks designed especially for our earliest supporters. Plus, as a thank you, you’ll receive a special gift to use right away at www.solsumo.com.
Be among the first to experience the Made in Portugal Collection and help us bring this vision to life.
Thank you for reading this post. Your support means the world to us!