How Much Does It Cost to Start a Swimwear Line?

If you are considering starting a swimwear line business, then you should budget between $150,000 to over a million dollars.

If you are looking to start a swimwear business, one of your major concerns will be how much you are expected to spend in getting your swimwear line up and running. Trust me, a swimwear line is not a business you can pull off the shelf without saving some money or raising startup capital from other sources.

It could be through loans, selling of shares, or inviting investors to invest in your business. It is important to note that there is no fixed amount required to start a swimwear line, some entrepreneurs may want to start big, and some may want to start small with the plans of growing big.

Cost Breakdown for Opening a Swimwear Line

1. Business Registration Fees – $750.
2. Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits – $11,300.
3. Marketing, Branding, and Promotions – $5,000.
4. Business Consultant Fee – $2,500.
5. Insurance – $1,400.
6. Rent/Lease – $350,000.
7. Other start-up expenses include commercial satellite TV subscriptions, stationery ($500), and phone and utility deposits ($1,800).
8. Operational Cost (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $100,000
9. Start-up Inventory – $250,000
10. Store Equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $1,750
11. Furnishing and Equipping the Product Factory – $1 million
12. Website: $600
13. Opening party: $3,000
14. Miscellaneous: $5,000

Whatever the size of the swimwear line you want to start, there are some key factors that will determine how much you are likely going to spend and that is part of what we are going to cover in this article.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Starting a Swimwear Line

1. The Size and Capacity of the Swimwear Line

One of the major factors that will determine the cost of starting a swimwear line is the size and capacity of the swimwear line you want to start.

This is so because, if you want to start a small-scale swimwear line, you will spend less than someone who wants to start a medium-scale swimwear line, and of course, you will spend far less than someone who wants to start a large swimwear line.

For example, if it will cost you $200,000 to start a small-scale swimwear line, it will likely cost you more than double ($400,000) to start a medium-scale swimwear line, and you know that it will cost you over a million dollars to start a large swimwear line business.

2. The Niche Idea

Another factor that will determine the amount you are likely to spend if you want to open a swimwear line business is the niche idea you want to settle for.

For example, you may want to start a standard swimwear line where you handle the designing, production, and distribution of the swimwear or you want to start a swimwear business that is only involved in the distribution and sale of swimwear while you contract your production to a third-party production factory.

If you choose to start a standard swimwear line where you handle the designing, production, and distribution of the swimwear, then you must be ready to spend on leasing a production facility, equipment and tools, maintenance of the machines, manpower, utilities, materials, insurance, and other expenditure that comes with running a production factory.

But if you choose to start a swimwear business that is only involved in the distribution and sales of swimwear while you contract your production to a third-party production factory, then you are likely going to spend far less than someone who chooses to start a standard swimwear line where you handle the designing, production, and distribution of the swimwear.

3. The Location You Want to Start the Swimwear Line

Another factor that influences the cost of starting a swimwear line business is the location you choose to start the business. The truth is that there are some locations that are expensive to start a business especially as it relates to the cost of rent.

There are some locations where you will get cheaper labor and there are locations where you will pay more for the same skill sets you want to employ. For example, it is cheaper to start a swimwear factory in Bangkok, Thailand when compared to Portland, Oregon, United States.

4. The Source of Your Raw Material and Supplies

Lastly, another major factor that will influence the overall cost of starting your swimwear line is the source or sources of your raw materials and supplies.

The source of your materials and supplies such as fabric, thread, buttons, and other materials needed to make the swimwears will determine how much you will spend, and trust me it is a major ongoing expense for running a swimwear line business.

If your swimwear production factory is located close to the sources of your raw material, then you are likely going to spend less when compared to when the source of your raw materials is from another state or country.

As a matter of fact, if you cannot source your raw materials and supplies locally and you are left to import your raw materials and supplies, then you should be ready to spend more. You will spend on import duties, shipping, and other logistics.

Estimated Cost of Starting a Swimwear Line

With all the factors listed above, it will be safe to state that there are no fixed figures (the amount required) to start a swimwear line business. But from available data, if you are considering starting a swimwear line business, then you should budget between $150,000 to over a million dollars.

Please note that this amount will cover, your rent or lease, your equipment, and machinery, your raw materials, utilities, salaries, employee welfare et al.

In conclusion,

It is important to note that the factors listed above and the cost range of starting a swimwear line business are not cast in stone. The cost may be far lower than what is quoted above and it could be far more as well.