Business

I've learned several things about business in the past year. Last summer I interned in a design studio, my first real "job" in the fashion industry. As an intern, I wasn't ever exactly sure I was doing everything right. The company was a small clothing line based out of Charleston, South Carolina - but the design studio was fast paste and at times very intimidating. I learned there to always act confident in the work you do and the assignment you've been given. Half of the time I was there I had no idea what exactly to do when first given an assignment. Once I sat down at my desk and thought about how I would do things - I always finished the task with flying colors. I was always glad I figured things out myself before asking questions. This may not be the case in all situations, seeing that sometimes asking questions is a very good idea. In certain cases, I think you should always act confident and know a company hired you for a reason.

Another important thing I've learned is that when working with any sort of business, communication is key. It sounds very simple and obvious, but being organized and having good communication skills is extremely important. When dealing with things like production in the fashion industry, communication can make or break a line. Communication skills with manufacturers, buyers and clientele is what sells a product or a brand. Being patient and clear with request to manufacturers in India, for example, is a key element in producing a line successfully. Organization is also very important. Being able to pull up old files and documents to find out where something went wrong, or even what made something so successful is valuable attribute in making a business work.