161: 5 Reasons Philadelphia Is a Great Place to Start a Fashion Business

Ian Garza, guest columnist

Have you thought about turning your passion for fashion into a business? Consider moving to Philadelphia and launching your very own company in one of the country’s fashion hotspots! The city has a lot to offer entrepreneurs, especially those interested in the fashion industry. In this article from Laurel Hoffmann, we explore all of the great reasons to make Philly your new business home!

Exciting Residential Options

If you’d rather not buy a home in a new city right away, renting is a great alternative. Start looking for rentals in Philadelphia neighborhoods that align with your lifestyle. Do you want to be within walking distance of restaurants or out in the suburbs with room for a family? Is street safety important to you? What about historic landmarks and cultural activities? Does affordability matter more than location? Philadelphia has a neighborhood for everyone!

Once you’ve narrowed down your options to a few different neighborhoods in the city, start looking online for rentals in the area. Be sure to use online search tools to filter your listing results based on your price range and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need. This will save you a lot of time!

Affordable Cost of Living

While the cost of living in Philly is higher than the national average, Philadelphia is the most affordable major city in the Northeastern US. MoveBuddha.com explains that Philly is a cost-effective option for those who want to live in the region. By choosing Philadelphia over other major cities like New York, Boston, or DC, you’ll enjoy more disposable income and create more runway for business investments.

Vibrant Fashion Community

Philadelphia is home to countless clothing stores, boutiques, and fashion brands. By getting involved in the local fashion community, you’ll be joining the ranks of the city’s thriving small businesses. Local entrepreneurs have access to several resources that can help with everything from funding to hiring:

● City of Philadelphia Business Services

● The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

● Temple University’s Small Business Development Center

● Philly Startup Leaders

● Philadelphia Startup Weekend

High Quality of Life

Running a business in a city with a high quality of life is great for employee retention. When your employees are happy, they’re more likely to stick around and work hard for your business! Fortunately, Philadelphia offers plenty of parks, cultural events, and attractions to foster a high quality of life among residents. Here are just a few:

● Philadelphia Museum of Art

● Independence Hall

● The Franklin Institute

● Philadelphia Flower Show

● Fairmount Park

● Lunar New Year Parade and Celebrations

● Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Well-Educated Workforce

An educated workforce is always good for business. If you’re looking to hire budding fashion designers and merchandisers, look no further than Philadelphia’s rich talent pool. The city and surrounding region are home to several colleges and universities with fashion merchandising programs:

● Thomas Jefferson University

● Moore College of Art & Design

● Drexel University

Your Philly Fashion Business Quick-Start Checklist

Are you ready to launch your new fashion business in Philly? We’ve assembled a quick startup checklist of everything you’ll need to do to get your new business off the ground:

● Learn how to form an LLC and register your business in Pennsylvania.

● Obtain an EIN through the IRS. ● Review the Philadelphia business laws and regulations.

● Register for a city tax account number.

● Contact the city to find out which permits and/or licenses you will need.

Moving to Philadelphia could be a great way to jump-start your fashion business. In the big city, you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to connect with other small businesses and take advantage of government support. Start looking for your new home in Philadelphia today so you can get your business underway!

Are you looking for fashion design resources? Check out the Laurel Hoffmann website for a variety of professional drafting and sewing books!