Saturday, 25 November 2017

Importance Of Antenatal Care







Importance Of Antenatal Care

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Importance Of Antenatal Care
Importance Of Antenatal Care [Illustration by Shiju George]
Antenatal care (also known as Prenatal care) refers to the regular medical and nursing care recommended for women during pregnancy. The importance of antenatal care is often overdone in most households as the would-be mother is flooded with advice about what is right and what is wrong for her. When should you start?
Make your first visit to an antenatal clinic as soon as possible after a missed period. This will ensure that you have professional help whenever you need it.
Importance of early attendance
You may be carrying some diseases such as Toxoplasmosis before pregnancy without any visible symptom. In such a case, it is important to identify and treat it early to avoid complications.
  • The trip to the gynaecologist has other benefits too. Your blood pressure can be checked and your weight can be monitored. Besides, any factors that could influence the baby’s development such as nutritional deficiencies (including excessive vomiting), infections and potentially hazardous drug therapy can be detected.
  • Complications like intra uterine growth retardation can be screened and prevented.
  • The gynaecologist will also help you plan for the delivery, advice you on the care of the newborn and your future reproductive health.
What to expect in your first visit?
Your first visit to the gynaecologist will help you become comfortable with the doctor so that you can trust him when you go into labour. Your doctor will want to know:
  • Your menstrual history (date of last menstrual period).
  • Your medical history – whether you have ever suffered from any diseases, like Rubella.
  • Your past and present pregnancy history.
  • Surgical history (if you have gone through any operation or blood transfusion).
  • Family history (if there is any history of twin pregnancy, diabetes or high blood pressure in your family).
  • Your personal history like smoking and consumption of alcohol, or any other drugs.
  • Drug history (if you are taking any medicine regularly or if you are allergic to any particular medicine).
Examination
  • The doctor will examine you to record your condition in the initial stage of pregnancy in order to be able to compare it later as the pregnancy grows.
  • After a general examination, he will check your height as this gives a rough estimate of the size of the pelvis. A woman with an average height of 5 feet and above usually has an adequate pelvis to bear a child.
  • He will also check your weight and then during each visit to calculate your weight gain. The total average weight gain should be around 10 to 12 kilograms. A low calorie balanced diet is important in pregnancy to watch out excessive weight gain.
  • The blood pressure recording during the first visit is used to compare it with subsequent readings. A rise in blood pressure is a bad sign in pregnancy and may indicate complications like pregnancy induced hypertension. Early detection of hypertension can prevent further complications leading to fits in pregnancy which may lead to intra uterine foetal and maternal death.
  • He then checks your pulse rate and lungs, and then your abdomen to assess the growth of the baby, its position, the condition of the scar left by any previous operation, any abdominal hernia and the foetal heart rate.
Vaginal examination during pregnancy
  • Earlier, the gynaecologist used to do a routine checkup of the vagina for the following reasons:
  • To confirm the pregnancy.
  • To confirm that the size of uterus corresponds to the period of pregnancy.
  • To exclude the presence of any tumours or other abnormalities in the pelvis.
  • To diagnose any infections in the vagina or cervix.
  • To diagnose the presence of any ulcer or erosion in the cervix (mouth of the uterus).
  • To take a routine cervical smear to rule out any disease.
  • To assess the size of the pelvic cavity.Nowadays a vaginal checkup is considered an intrusion and an ultrasound is used instead to keep abreast of the foetal growth.However, a vaginal examination cannot be avoided at the end of the 36th week of pregnancy.
  • Since it confirms the presentation of the baby.
  • It helps the doctor to assess the condition of the cervix.
  • It gives a fair idea of the pelvis in comparison to the presenting part of the baby.
Investigations
  • Few investigations are done during the first antenatal visit and then at intervals throughout pregnancy to ensure that it is proceeding normally.The following blood tests are of vital importance during pregnancy:
  • Haemoglobin estimation: The normal haemoglobin level in pregnancy is 11 grams to 13 grams (lower than the non pregnant woman) and any value less than 11 grams is considered anaemic.
  • Blood grouping: There are four major blood groups – A, B, AB or O. The knowledge about your blood group is important as an incompatible mother and baby could bring about complications.
  • Rhesus factor and antibodies: The rhesus compatibility of the mother and child is equally important. If she is rhesus negative, the doctor will recommend several tests to check for antibodies and suggest precautions that need to be taken during labour.
  • Rubella and other viral illnesses: A blood test will confirm whether you have had German measles (Rubella). Other virus tests include Toxoplasmosis, Cytomegalo virus, Herpes Simplex.
  • Hepatitis: Tests for Hepatitis antigen is equally important.
  • HIV (AIDS virus): Tests for the HIV virus is done with the patient’s consent.
  • Other blood tests include blood sugar test and V.D.R.L. test (test for sexually transmitted disease like Syphilis).
  • A routine examination of urine will provide information about any infection, presence of protein or sugar in urine.
Supplements
You will be prescribed a dose of folic acid everyday for the first three months of pregnancy. This meant to aid the proper development of the baby’s nervous system and to prevent a particular type of anaemia which occurs during pregnancy.To prevent anaemia, the doctor will recommend an iron supplement from the fourth month of pregnancy and ask you to continue it even after delivery when you will be feeding the baby. Besides iron, you will have to take some calcium and multivitamin supplements too since most women do not pay much attention to their diet.
Subsequent tests
Your blood will be tested to check haemoglobin levels at regular intervals. The doctor will do a second ultrasound scan in the 16th week to exclude any congenital anomaly of the baby and to also confirm the duration of pregnancy and growth of the baby. The third ultrasound scan will be around the 38th week to see the growth of the baby, position of the baby (normally it is head down position), condition of the placenta and position of the umbilical cord.
Immunisation
You will be given two doses of tetanus toxoid during the sixth and seventh months. If you have conceived within three years of your previous delivery, a single dose is enough.
Subsequent visits to the antenatal clinic
Your subsequent visits follow a regular routine unless you need to see your doctor more frequently for any problem. Visits are usually every four weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy. Thereafter, you will be asked to come every two weeks until the 36th week. And then every week till delivery. The patient is counselled about signs of labour and breast feeding.

5 comments on “Importance Of Antenatal Care”

  1. I would like to learn more about the importance of antenatal care because i need to help women during pregnancy.
    Reply
  2. I want to learn as much as I can before I get pregnant so I can make sure my baby will be as healthy as possible. One of the most important factors for my health right now is getting the nutrients my body needs. I didn’t realize certain supplements were taken during different weeks of pregnancy but will an OB/GYN suggest any vitamins I need before conception?
    Reply
  3. Thanks For Sharing This Article. I Find It Relevant Especially At This Time When I Am Doing My Attachment As A Populatio Health Expert, Specialising In MCH, In One Of The Health Centers In Bungoma County; Kenya. At Least I now Have A Clear Information To Share With Mothers As They Come For Their ANC Visits. Thanks
    Reply

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Lesson Transcript
Instructor: Artem Cheprasov
In this lesson, you'll learn about the importance of physical, mental, and emotional health during pregnancy and how they can impact a pregnant woman and the unborn child.

Physical Activity During Pregnancy

Which of the following is not an actual benefit of exercise during pregnancy?
  • Prevention of too much weight gain
  • An increase in strength and stamina
  • Stress relief
  • Better sleep
  • An increase in mood and energy levels
So, which one is not a benefit of physical activity during pregnancy? Well, it was sort of a trick question. All of them are benefits!
You may think that just because someone is pregnant they should just become a couch potato. After all, they are caring for two, eating for two, walking for two and the list goes on. But exercise is just as healthy and important of a consideration during prenatal care as diet is!
Let's try another question. Which of the following has a higher chance of occurring in pregnant women who don't exercise compared to those that do?
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Postpartum depression
  • High blood pressure
  • Blood clots
Another trick question. The answer is, again, all of them have a higher chance of occurring in women who don't exercise during pregnancy.
Pregnant women who don't move around much, especially if they are on long trips, like on an airplane, have an increased risk of developing dangerous blood clots.
Exercise helps to lessen the symptoms of postpartum, or after giving birth, depression, and lower the chance of developing gestational diabetes, where gestation means pregnancy, and gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes (high blood sugar) that may develop in previously non-diabetic pregnant women.
There are many dangers associated with gestational diabetes, including the development of type 2 diabetes later in life for the mother, as well as low blood sugar and larger than normal birth sizes in babies.

How Much Exercise Do I Need?

So, the benefits of exercise during the prenatal period are pretty clear.
But how much exercise should healthy pregnant women get then? Do you think it's:
  • No more than 15 minutes of walking per day
  • At least 3 hours of heavy weight lifting per day
  • No more than 8 hours a month of walking
  • At the very least 2.5 hours of moderate intensity aerobic activity per week
The right answer is at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. This means things like brisk walking are just fine, and the risks on the mother or baby from such activity are very low. Other types of exercise can include walking, riding a stationary bike, or even swimming.
It's best to spread this exercise time throughout the week, include most, if not all, days of the week, and do it for no less than ten minutes at a time.
Of course, there have to be some caveats, as with everything in life. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and lung problems, or you haven't exercised in a long time, you'll definitely want to consult with a doctor as to your specific exercise needs during pregnancy.

Mental and Emotional Health

Exercise also improves mental health. But there are other ways women can bolster mood during pregnancy if the need arises.
Good emotional health is a state of well-being where a person has a positive outlook, good self-esteem and the ability to interact well with others. It often ties in with good mental health, a combination of psychological, social, and emotional well-being.
It is completely normal, within reason, for pregnant women to have emotional and mental ups and downs. I mean, pregnancy is a life-altering event, and there is a lot to be proud of and worry over. The chemical changes in the body during pregnancy play their part as well, not to mention the physical aspect involving morning sickness!
However, too much stress and too much anxiety can lead to a bad mood and an imbalance of hormones in a pregnant woman's body that may have a detrimental effect on her and her child. In serious cases, a ton of stress has been suspected in miscarriages in the past.
Therefore, here are some important tips to keep in mind for bettering mental and emotional well-being as part of an overall good prenatal care routine:
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Ch 14. Human Reproduction, Pregnancy & Birth
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The Importance Of Prenatal Care


The Importance Of Prenatal Care

By Delialah Falcon. May 7th 2016
Shortly after learning that they are pregnant, many expectant mothers start daydreaming about decorating the nursery and picking out the baby’s coming home outfit.  The happiness and excitement of preparing the home for a new baby is normal, however, preparing your body for the tremendous journey at hand is much more important. One of the most important things an expectant mother can do for her baby is to receive good prenatal care.

Start With Pre-Conception Care

Pre-conception care is intended to address the physical and emotional needs of the mother prior to conceiving, so that she can start out her pregnancy in the best possible health.
  • If you are ready to start trying to conceive, schedule an appointment with your health care provider for a pre-pregnancy check-up.
  • During this visit, your doctor will take your medical history and perform routine tests to check for conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
  • If any conditions are found, your doctor will instruct you on how to treat them and help bring them under control, something that is usually much easier to do before pregnancy rather than during.

What Type Of Prenatal Care

When it comes to prenatal care, you have a few options to choose from in terms of who will care for you during your pregnancy. The type of prenatal care you receive has a lot to do with your personal philosophy on pregnancy, child birth and raising a family.
  • General family doctors provide medical services for all ages. Some, though not all, provide prenatal care to pregnant women. Because family doctors treat men, women and children, they do not have as much experience with pregnancy as doctors who specialize in the field. This option is good for women who have an uncomplicated, low risk pregnancy. Because conditions can develop over the course of the pregnancy that require specialized care, women who opt for a family physician should understand that they may need to change to a new doctor half way through the pregnancy if the need arises.
  • Obstetricians/Gynecologists, known as OB/GYN’s, treat only women. They specialize in women’s health and treat both pregnant and non-pregnant women. The majority of women who are pregnant receive their medical care from OB/GYN’s during pregnancy. This is likely due to the fact that they were already receiving their women’s health care from their gynecologist prior to conceiving, and have therefor already developed a comfortable relationship with the doctor. In addition, an OB/GYN can address any issues that may develop after pregnancy, including post-pregnancy complications.
  • Obstetricians are specialized doctors who only treat pregnant women. They specialize in all areas of pregnancy and delivery. Because obstetricians only handle pregnancy and childbirth, they have a vast wealth of knowledge of all things pregnancy related.
  • Certified Nurse-Midwives are nurses who have received additional training in women’s health and obstetrics. Although they are not doctors, they have undergone many years of specialized medical training. Nurse mid-wives can practice on their own or under the supervision of a doctor. Laws governing the limitations of nurse-midwives vary from state to state. Nurse-midwives are a good choice for women who prefer a more natural approach to pregnancy and childbirth. Many nurse-midwives work in home settings and birthing centers, although they are becoming increasingly common in traditional doctor’s offices as well. If you decide to go with a nurse-midwife, it is a good idea to find one who works alongside a practicing physician who can handle any emergencies that may arise during pregnancy or delivery.

When To Schedule Your Prenatal Check-up

It is a good idea to schedule your first prenatal visit as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. Doctors like to perform the first visit sometime between 6 and 8 weeks of pregnancy. Because you will likely be 4-5 weeks pregnant when you first miss your period, calling your physician immediately will allow you to be seen during that preferred window.

What To Expect At The First Visit

  • At your first visit, you will have a consultation with your health care provider.
  • A complete medical history questionnaire will need to be filled out.
  • You will be asked questions about your present health, any underlying medical conditions, your diet and your lifestyle in general.
  • Your doctor will want to know the date of your last menstrual period so that the age of the pregnancy can be better estimated.
  • Your doctor will perform a complete physical and will do a pelvic exam.
  • In addition, she will order a series of blood tests. These tests will include a complete blood count to check for any infections or abnormalities, as well as blood typing and a check for immunity to diseases such as measles and varicella (chicken pox).
  • Your weight will be recorded and your urine will be checked.
  • Your doctor may or may not perform a pap smear, depending on how long ago you last received one.

What To Expect At Subsequent Visits

Women who are experiencing regular, uncomplicated pregnancies that are not high-risk can expect to visit their physician once per month up until the 7th month of pregnancy. At 7 months, many physicians will want to see you more often, usually every 2 weeks. This will continue up until the final 4 weeks of pregnancy, at which time you will be seen once per week. Your weight will be recorded at each visit and your doctor will likely measure the height of your uterus and the position of the baby by gently palpating the uterus through the abdomen.Your doctor will speak with you about the stage of development the pregnancy has reached and will ask about any new symptoms you may be experiencing.

Routine Testing At Each Visit

  • A urine sample will be required to check for traces of sugar or protein in the urine.
  • If protein in the urine is detected, additional monitoring and testing will be done to rule out Preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication that is characterized by protein in the urine and high blood pressure.
  • Sugar in the urine can indicate Gestational Diabetes.
  • Your doctor will also check for any swelling to make sure you are not retaining fluids, a common symptom of Preeclampsia.

Prenatal Tests

  • Halfway through the pregnancy, you will undergo a glucose screening test to check for Gestational Diabetes.
  • Women will be offered a blood test to check AFP (alpha-feta protein) levels during the second trimester. AFP is a protein secreted by the baby. AFP levels can alert doctors to possible complication such as Down Syndrome, Spina Bifida or even a multiple pregnancy.
  • Between the 18th and 22nd week of pregnancy, your doctor will order a routine ultrasound screening. This test will check the baby’s anatomy and measurements to make sure all parts of the body, including the heart and brain, are developing normally.
  • More invasive tests, such as an amniocentesis or CVS (chronic villus sampling) may be ordered if doctors determine they would be helpful in ruling out certain conditions. Because these tests carry some risk of miscarriage or preterm labor, many women choose to skip them.

Common Pregnancy Complications

There are some conditions that, although not normal, are very common during pregnancy.
  • Gestational Diabetes is a condition that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears once the baby is delivered. It usually occurs during the second trimester, and is easily detected during a routine glucose tolerance test. This type of Diabetes is the result of the hormones excreted by the placenta and the effect they have on insulin levels.
  • Another common condition during pregnancy is Preeclampsia. Also known as Toxemia, this is a serious complication that requires careful supervision for the remainder of the pregnancy. Usually occurring after the 6 month mark, it is characterized by high blood pressure, fluid retention, swelling of the hands, feet and face, and protein in the urine.
  • Rh-incompatibility is a serious condition that occurs when mothers do not have any Rh in the blood. When this occurs, they are considered Rh negative. The problem arises is the baby is Rh positive. When this happens, your body can make antibodies to the baby’s blood when it passes into your bloodstream. Those antibodies can get into the baby’s blood and attack the red blood cells that are present. This condition requires careful monitoring throughout the pregnancy.
Most women will have an uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancy. Even the majority of those who do suffer from any of the conditions listed above will likely go on to deliver a healthy baby. Although pregnancy complications can be very serious, for the most part, they are easily managed with proper prenatal care.

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Saturday, 18 November 2017

Fashion Business Insider

Fashion Business Insider Master the business side of the fashion industry. Contact Resources About 8 Characteristics of a Successful Fashion Entrepreneur By Eric Fitzgerald 8 Characteristics of a Successful Fashion EntrepreneurStarting, running and growing a business is a lot of hard work. Along with long hours, sacrifice, and a ton of stress, each day brings new obstacles to overcome. Simply put, entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. So, the question is, “Are you cut out to be a fashion entrepreneur?” Although there isn’t a secret formula for success, there are common traits that successful entrepreneurs share. And when it comes to the unique business of fashion, some of these traits are downright necessities. Let’s look at eight characteristics that can help you become a full-fledged fashion entrepreneur. Determination Success doesn’t happen overnight. A business takes time to start and grow. And even more time to be successful. There’s no rush. The fashion business will still be there in the morning. There will be difficult times. Things will look impossible. You will want to give up and throw in the towel. But you can’t. You need to fight off those urges and press forward. Persevere! Determination is the difference between those who quit on their dream and those who turn their dream into a great success. Passion There are countless books, seminars, and MBA programs that teach how to be successful in the business world. But this is the one characteristic that only you can bring to the party. This is your “why?” This is the reason behind why you do what you do. The work will be hard, the hours will be long, and the pay will be low. And to top it all off, there is no guarantee of success! Your passion will motivate you through the tough times and it needs to come from inside of you. Don’t count on money to be your motivating factor. Your passion comes from a deeper, more meaningful place. Resilience Successful fashion entrepreneurs are not afraid of failure. Things don’t always go to plan. And sometimes things completely fail. Get comfortable with the idea of failure. It will happen to you. But do not be defeated. Successful entrepreneurs see failure as an opportunity – a chance to learn from their mistakes. So when, not if, you get knocked down, you must get up, dust yourself off and keep moving forward. Confidence Confidence is part of any entrepreneur’s success. You must be confident in yourself – that you can manage what might come your way. But too much confidence can be a bad thing. You must believe that your business has a shot, but not that it will be a definite success. Ego can easily get in the way of success. And we certainly have enough egos in fashion. So check your ego at the door. Because, in the beginning, along with being the CEO, you’ll probably also be making the coffee and taking out the garbage. The balance lies in having no doubt that you are competent to run and grow your business but not being overly confident that you know everything or that you can do anything. It’s when we are certain of success that we are most likely to fail. Vision As the creator of a brand, you must possess a clear vision of what you want your brand to be. Your vision defines who you are, what you want to do and where you want to go. Your vision cannot be vague. It needs to be developed, detailed and definite. It needs to be clear. Your vision is your beacon of light, guiding you on your journey. Flexibility Fashion is a fast-paced industry, constantly changing. As an entrepreneur you need to be flexible – able to adapt to the changing demands of your business. Successful business people stay agile. They adjust to new information and developing circumstances. Most successful entrepreneurs find themselves running a very different business than they set out to create at the beginning. Learn to act quickly before new ideas and opportunities lose their spark. Being agile means the difference between building momentum and starting over from square one every other day. Effective Communication Your ability to communicate will affect your ability to influence others, your ability to develop relationships, and ultimately, your ability to produce results. Without good communications skills it’s impossible to effectively sell. And as the founder of your company, you’ll find yourself constantly selling. Selling your vision to prospective investors. Selling your products to potential clients. Selling your employees on why they shouldn’t jump ship when things inevitably get rough. Success of your business will depend on your ability to communicate your ideas and vision to get people to buy into your brand. Risk Tolerance As an entrepreneur, you must be comfortable with risk. If something feels risky, do you focus on the likelihood of failure? Or the potential for reward? Sensing risk may just be a sign that you are onto an opportunity – one that’s worth exploring or seeing through to the end. Most people sense risk and stop. They never find out how many opportunities lie on the other side of that risk. Entrepreneurs take risks. And they take action. Smart entrepreneurs are able to identify and mitigate business risk. But when the time comes, they step out of their comfort zone and engage risk by taking action. So, how did you score? Do you have what it takes to make it on your own in the fashion industry? The good news is that these are not traits that we are born with. These traits are taught and learned. Some of us have learned these early on. Others have had to learn them later in life. Developing these traits is a matter of practice. If you want to get better at one, two, or all of them, you’ll need to start practicing them. And now is as good a time to start as any. Speak Your Mind Which traits do you need to practice? What kinds of things are you doing to improve? Leave your comments below. Filed Under: Entrepreneurship Tagged With: Mindset About Eric Fitzgerald With nearly 15 years of experience, Eric has worked with American and European fashion brands such as Calvin Klein, Juicy Couture and Diesel. His background is focused on key business areas like sales, merchandising and brand management. As a consultant, Eric helps entrepreneurs build profitable businesses in the fashion industry. Comments Emmanuel says: March 7, 2017 at 7:14 PM Hi Eric, thank you for this enlightenment, Reading your article has inspired me. I’m Emmanuel, a Young African fashion-entrepreneur, I have specific interest in female fashion and style.. My vision is to establish a line of Afro-inspired high fashion outfits but I haven’t been able to establish standard sketches for my designs.. I need your advice on easy steps to creating sketches for female designs Eric Fitzgerald says: March 8, 2017 at 3:28 PM Hi Emmanuel, Thanks for your comment. Sketching is often taught as part of a traditional fashion design curriculum. However, some fashion designers lack an artistic ability to sketch and use other methods to develop their ideas. You might consider taking some fashion drawing classes or hiring a freelance artist to work with you to capture your fashion design ideas. I hope this is helpful and I wish you the best of luck in your entrepreneurial journey. Ralph Striewski says: February 22, 2017 at 5:19 AM Hi Eric, thanks a lot for your excellent article, you hit it right in the middle. And thanks for the valuable comments. They all help a lot. We are a young German fashion label specialised in patent leather fashion and we wonder if you could recommend anybody for a brief coaching or mentoring or could we get in contact with you? Presently we are at a decision point and are looking for a specialist who could help to see the whole picture. Thanks a lot in advance, any advice will be highly appreciated, best regards Ralph http://www.arcanumfashion.com Designers blog: http://www.vanillapearl.net Eric Fitzgerald says: February 22, 2017 at 8:31 PM Hi Ralph, Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad that you find value in the website and this article. Please check out http://www.tailorconsultinggroup.com for more information on my consulting & coaching services. You can reach me directly through the contact page on that site. I wish you the best of luck with your business and I look forward to learning more about how I can help you and your business. kcee says: December 26, 2016 at 4:05 AM Eric As an upcoming fashion entrepreneur with just one isewing machine and no store how do i create awareness? Eric Fitzgerald says: December 30, 2016 at 5:58 PM Hi Kcee, Two words…social media. Technology and social media in particular, have changed the landscape for small brands struggling to get noticed. Instagram is usually the platform of choice for emerging designers but consider others like Facebook and Pinterest, depending on your target consumer. Be consistent – post regularly while reinforcing your brand image. Engage with your followers – trends come and go but authentic, personal brands stick around. Focus on real consumers – you don’t need 100K followers by the end of next week. Build your following organically to start and focus on growing a tribe of brand loyalists who will help spread your brand message for you. I wish you and your one sewing machine all the best! Ankita Tiwari says: December 2, 2016 at 5:26 PM Am very confused that should I startup my label or look forward for masters!! Eric Fitzgerald says: December 30, 2016 at 5:48 PM Hi Ankita, Thanks for your question. When to launch one’s own label is a decision with which most aspiring designers struggle. There are many factors to consider and each entrepreneur’s situation is different. In my professional experience, those designers that have had some practical experience working within the fashion industry often have an easier time deciding when is the right time for them to launch. Those with previous industry experience don’t necessarily find greater success than those without experience, but they do seem more confident in making the decision to launch their label. Spending time working in the industry provides perspective and an understanding of all the moving parts of a successful fashion business. If you’re trying to decide between starting your label or getting a higher degree, I would suggest looking for a position at a fashion brand first. The exposure will give you insight into a very competitive industry and whether you have what it takes to be successful on your own. Shawn Desousa says: November 17, 2016 at 9:09 AM Hi Mr.Eric Fitzgerald.My name is Shawn Desousa my fashion line is called Gwapnation.com I am just starting out is there any advice or direction you can help me with. With Best Regards Shawn Desousa Entrepreneur Eric Fitzgerald says: December 30, 2016 at 6:06 PM Hi Shawn, I checked out your website and my advice would be to add more to your “story.” Today, it’s not enough to just sell cool product, a brand must also tell a story. And the story must be compelling enough to get the consumer to want to learn more and ultimately “buy” into your story and brand. Give your customer a chance to interact with your brand before they make a purchase (email capture, social media, newsletter). Consumers want to know, like, and trust a brand before they are inclined to start spending. Tell us more about Gwap Nation and why we should be interested. I wish you fashion success! Gbadeyanka muminat says: March 24, 2016 at 7:12 PM Dis is indeed a gud write up…and dis as made me no wat it takes to b a real fashion entrepreneur and aw to move forward without any side attractiions or competitors around me Jenny Tombiga says: September 7, 2015 at 6:09 AM Thank you so much for this wonderful topic. I have always been thinking on when to start my Fashion Brand. How will I do it. How can I start. My passion is always been in Fashion. but I always doubt myself in a way that I don’t know how to start, I don’t have the financial to start my own fashion brand. After reading ‘8 Characteristics of a Successful Fashion Entrepreneur’ it helps me a lot. It helps me think straight to go for the dreams I have always wanted. Eric Fitzgerald says: September 10, 2015 at 3:19 PM Thanks Jenny! I’m happy that my article has helped you move forward in your progress of becoming the fashion entrepreneur you dream of being. I wish you much luck and success in your journey. Vernelle says: September 4, 2015 at 7:01 PM Eric, I really appreciate the information you’re sharing here. I’ve been working to create my business for almost 10 years now; however it seems like I’m always starting from scratch every couple of years instead of being agile. This post was a great reminder of what it really takes to continue moving forward. Since I have more of an artisan business being a Jewelry Artist & Designer, I’m trying to find the balance between creating handmade products and offering more line items that may be semi-hand produced or manufactured. Any tips or ideas on how to merge the two?? Eric Fitzgerald says: September 10, 2015 at 3:17 PM Hi Vernelle, Many designers need to balance the custom/hand-made portion of their product offering with a manufactured collection to maximize time and revenue. Rather than focusing on the differences of your different product offerings, think about how the target customer for those two sides of your business differ and how they are the same. By considering the customer you’ll ensure that you are offering your target audiences what they want from you while making sure that your vision and brand identity is part of your total product offering. Let me know if you need more help in this area. I offer strategic planning and product development/merchandising services to brands who encounter the same challenges you are facing. Sign Up for Email Updates from Fashion Business Insider! 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