I’ve often daydreamed of owning my own fashion boutique with piles of designer denim, trendy new tunics, and stylish jewelry hanging from eclectic jewelry stands. But where do you begin? How do you become a wholesaler? And my gosh, what are the startup costs involved!?
For the majority of the population, starting a brick and mortar fashion boutique is simply out of the question. But guess what? Technology has made it possible for you to open your own online fashion store. And better yet — you don’t need any experience or money to get started!
Check out these FREE business opportunities for fashion lovers!
1. Stylevate
Right now, you can join Stylevate's pre-launch campaign for free. With this fashion opportunity, you'll earn a 20 percent commission for selling and sharing their clothes which will be from big-name fashion brands. You'll receive your own mobile storefront, and if you on-board another Stylevator, you will earn 5 percent on anything they buy or sell. I'm not certain how long the startup fee will be waived, so I'd hop on this now if you're interested in joining.
2. Personal Shopper by Shop Your Way
This program is sponsored by Lands End, Sears, and Kmart. Through this program, you can sell clothes, shoes, accessories, appliances and much more. Sign up for FREE and then view the startup videos to get started. Simply share items via social media and earn a 5 percent commission for items you sell through your personal shopper link.
3. fibi & clo
fibi & clo is a direct sales opportunity that allows users to sell their sandals with zero investment. Fashion Ambassadors earn 15 percent commission on sales, plus additional commission when they build and support a team. Ambassadors are paid once a month via PayQuicker and when you sign up for this opportunity, you do have to supply a credit card number for incidental expenses.
4. Teespring
Teespring allows creative types to design their own t-shirts, tanks, hoodies, sweatshirts, totes, throw pillows and coffee mugs. Create an account for free and then start designing items for sale.
I have zero design skills, but I designed this t-shirt which costs $26.99 and for every t-shirt that is sold, I would earn $8.60 profit.
Payments are made via PayPal or Payoneer. With Teespring they give you a free storefront which you're able to promote on your social media profiles and email.
5. J Elizabeth Boutique
J Elizabeth Boutique is a direct sales company that sells printed tees, sweatshirts, and tanks, as well as accessories for women, men, and children. Right now when you join, your first month's fee is waived, so you can sign-up for free. After the first month, it's only $10 per month. With this opportunity, consultants earn 20-25 percent commissions on sales, plus additional commissions for building a team.
6. SQN Sport
SQN Sport is an affiliate opportunity where you can earn a 20-25 percent commission on activewear for women. With this opportunity, you don't receive a website, but you can sell on your social media channels, blog, or at pop-up shows. While this program is free to join, they do put a $400 hold on your credit card for merchandise that is used at pop-ups, and the hold is removed once you return the clothing. According to their website, “you’ll also receive monthly newsletters with special promotions, content, and codes that you can adapt for your own marketing efforts”.
7. Zindigo
This business opportunity is currently in the process of relaunching with an app-based system. I'm not sure when it will be up and running again, but, the below details are from when it was open to the public.
Open an online store (FREE for Beta members) and make a 40 percent commission on all items sold through your shop. Personalize your boutique and promote your fashion finds using social media. Earnings are transferred on the 16th of each month to a Zindigo debit Master Card. Zindigo stores are created using Facebook Business Pages. They also have options where you can make 25 percent for sharing gift card offers with friends, and you can earn 3 percent by referring others to the Zindigo platform. Zindigo has been featured on Mashable and Venture Beat.
One Last Thought
Remember, whatever business you decide to start you must have a passion for what you are doing. Without enthusiasm and excitement, you’ll likely become bored, and ultimately it will fail. Just because it's FREE doesn't mean that it's always a good fit.
The following fashion opportunities were free but have since closed their doors. If anything changes or any new opportunities pop up, I'll let you know.
- Keaton Row
- NUMARI
- Kitsy Lane
- Style Owner
- Brick & Portal
- Lea Black
Conclusion.
If you're looking for a work-from-home sales position within the fashion industry, there are many different avenues to explore. While many business opportunities require a substantial start-up fee, all of the suggestions on this list are free for the taking. Start building up your leads and contacts through social media and in no time you'll be earning an income from home in an industry that you're passionate about.
Have you signed up for any of these opportunities? If so, we'd love to hear about your experience. If you enjoyed this post — please share it on your favorite social media site.
Originally published on March 12, 2015. Content updated on March 15, 2019.
This page includes affiliate links. Please be aware we only promote advertising from companies that we feel we can legitimately recommend to our readers. Please see our disclosure policy for further information.
Honestly I fell in love with this guide but I an a Nigerian. Is it possible to engage in such business when I’m not in America and also only have a smartphone.
Please advice me
Glad you enjoyed the list!
Teespring is the only one that is available internationally. I’ve never tried designing products on my smartphone — it may be tricky — you’ll have to test it out.
With so much opportunity online to make money, no one has a reason not to be a side hustle millionaire. :-)
Hey,
I want to do some online business. But I have no idea. Can I market a dress design and not designed dress?
Holly, plz help me!!!
Yes, you can create and sell pattern designs on a site like Etsy.
link???
Here you go:
https://www.etsy.com/sell
Thank you so much for updating this content- it is so helpful and much appreciated!
You’re welcome, Victoria!
Good day, I learned to make pot flowers (artificial flowers) from home. I need to make money selling them. Please help me to do.
Hi Velma,
Take a look at this post for places to sell your handmade flowers:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/places-to-sell-your-handmade-goods/
Good luck and keep me posted!
how much do i need to start up?
These opportunities are free.
Hi I was really interested in TeeSpring but it just didnt work out for me. I was wondering if you knew anything about Shopify http://bit.ly/ShopifyeStores? Its a great platform in the sense that is super accessible and the costs are great! I Just want to know if you have personal experience with this platform, since the range of products it deals with are so large!
Hi David,
I don’t have any experience with Shopify, but many people use them for their online shops. I do know that you have to have your own products to add to Shopify, they don’t supply them like Teespring does.
This dropshipping article may be helpful to you:
https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/become-a-mompreneur/
Good luck!
I opened my own online boutique 13 years ago & have never looked back. Its def hard though, as a small business to compete with the corporate firms.
Please check my store out http://www.spoiledbrat.co.uk
xxx
Keaton Row closed its doors earlier this year, just so you know. Looks like a lot of these companies are hard to find.
Thanks for letting me know, Chanel. I’ll have to update the list (again) =)
nice idea I am tried to implement
Good luck!
Keaton Row will fit me perfectly. I am retired now, but have been working in the fashion industry all my of my working days. Studied fashion designing & clothing is my passion
That’s wonderful, Doreen. Good luck and keep us posted!
What a fantastic resource! I wasn’t aware of many of these opportunities, but I will certainly check them out. Thanks for posting!
Glad you enjoyed the list, Camille.
Hello,
I am interested in a work-at-home t-shirt business. I am lost as to how to go about it. I have ready many articles that have left me more confused. I want to be able to print my own words or expressions. Are you able to help?
Thanks in advance for your time.
Blenda
Hi Blenda, Check out this post — it covers different t-shirt companies: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/make-money-designing-tshirts/
Hi! I’m from Nigeria pls guide me, how can I open online boutique in Nigeria
Hi Juliet,
The Work at Home Woman is geared for U.S. residents.
Take a look at FlexJobs for international work-at-home jobs:
http://flexjobsrocks.go2cloud.org/SHPF (affiliate link)
Good luck!
Hi I’m from India how could i start in India plz suggest me
Hi Nix, The Work at Home Woman is predominately geared for U.S. residents, but as our International audience grows we are including more global opportunities and listings.
Here are a couple of posts that contain listings for India:
Global Jobs: http://ow.ly/TDdV303szpB
FlexJobs: http://ow.ly/nzvB303szlQ
Good luck!
Hii..i m vry much interested to open up my own online boutique.. could you plzz suggest me some good ideas on how to open an online boutique in india.??
The Work at Home Woman is for geared for U.S. residents.
Please check out FlexJobs for global opportunities.
http://flexjobsrocks.go2cloud.org/SHPF (affiliate link)
Thanks for sharing. I’m an online boutique owner and had no idea all these opportunities were out there. I must say after almost a year in its a lot of work and man hours but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
What platform did you use for your boutique?
All of these look relatively interesting. I started an online boutique a few months ago and things are going well so far. Of course, the expense was a bit more than I budgeted for but I’m certainly hoping it balances out and tips toward green in the future. I’ve learned so much, as it relates to fashion and hope to continue to do so
how is your store going?
Hi I have a brick and mortar retail store and I am trying to start a online store to help with the cost of owning a small business is there any one who can help. . Thank you Sencerly. . A broke mother/ business owner
Hi Josie,
I know that feeling. Was the same as you struggling to start an online boutique but unfortunately without any money. I found the Start Online Boutique training program useful. Hope it can help you too.
Sandra.xx
Thanks for sharing, Sandra. That one is new to me — I’ll have to check it out.
Hi Josie
I am also in your situation can we maybe meet and put our heads together and see what we can come up with.
I am from pakistan guide me hw can i start my own boutique
The Work at Home Woman is geared for U.S. residents.
Take a look at FlexJobs for international work-at-home jobs:
http://flexjobsrocks.go2cloud.org/SHPF (affiliate link)
Good luck!
iam in zimbabwe and would want to start my online boutique. Know of any that I can try?
The Work at Home Woman is for geared for U.S. residents.
Please check out FlexJobs for global opportunities.
http://flexjobsrocks.go2cloud.org/SHPF (affiliate link)
I think Lea Black and Zindigo are global opportunities, but you’d need to contact them to find out for sure. I wasn’t able to find any information on country restrictions.
Hi I am interested in Keaton Row, but I see no where on their site to sign up to be a stylist. Great article by the way and extremely helpful!
Here is the link, Chelle: https://www.keatonrow.com/user/stylist-signup
Another company to check out is Stitch Fix, it’s a home-based job, not a business opportunity. https://www.stitchfix.com/careers
Hi Holly, i see what Chelle means, if you follow the link you gave, it is to sign up to receive styling from another person, but not to sign up as a stylist, is there another way?
Here is the link to apply for the Stylist position (click on the “Apply Now” button)
https://www.keatonrow.com/user/stylist-signup
Good luck and keep us posted!
I tried Keaton Row. You have to have contacts testcard willing to pay $40 or above for a basic white tee. They still need to fix many many glitches in their sight. The stuff is not always available by the time you are ready to send out your look book etc. I was very disappointed.
I’m sorry to hear that. It looked like a neat opportunity =(
Im out of America arnt there any more sites for non Americans. I love fashion…
Where are you located?
I like fashion and i also like working from home, i want to start my own fashion boutique but i dont have money to fulfill my dream. Thanks for the ippotunity Daphney
I’m going to look into these. I’ve been working from home for a while and I’ve been interested in opening an online boutique. I wan’t even aware of some of these on this list. Thanks a lot for this.
Glad you enjoyed the list! Keep us posted on your journey.
I’m looking for work from home can u help pkease
I’m definitely gonna research Keaton Row, I have a fashion flair and I would love to represent women over 50. Wish me luck. BTW, you and Angie Nelson both rock!
Good luck, Whitney! Keep us posted — and thanks for your kind words!
Good list! I am a natural born artist and fashion designer for women and men who are christians! So I’ll try them out!- soon! My dreams are to be the best artist and designer in the world! Good luck to u all!
Good luck, Mimi.
A few of these are new to me. I’ll definitely have to check them out. Thanks, Holly!
Keaton Row sounds pretty cool … if I didn’t already have a job that I totally LOVE, I’d probably sign up to do that. Glad you enjoyed the list!