![How to plan and track the budget of your maternity clothing brand [template]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-budget-4_ac73a594-8dab-4a46-9bdf-19b70d9ccc5c.png?v=1715856442&width=1100)
If you don’t plan and track your maternity clothing budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for maternity clothing brands, we saw a lot of business owners struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial sales.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your maternity clothing brand's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for maternity brands
Most maternity brand founders don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for maternity brands
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a maternity clothing brand, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for retail space | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for store and office | $500 | $6,000 |
| Water | Water usage | $100 | $1,200 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $150 | $1,800 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $100 | $1,200 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $300 | $3,600 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Store Manager | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Sales Associates | 3 | $2,000 | $6,000 | $72,000 |
| Marketing Specialist | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Inventory Manager | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $30,000 |
| Customer Service Rep | 2 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
3. Inventory & Supplies
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing Inventory | Maternity wear, accessories, etc. | $15,000 | $180,000 |
| Packaging Supplies | Bags, boxes, tissue paper | $500 | $6,000 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, printer ink, etc. | $200 | $2,400 |
| Cleaning Supplies | Detergents, sanitizers, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $400 | $4,800 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $500 | $6,000 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, magazine ads | $200 | $2,400 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $100 | $1,200 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $150 | $1,800 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $300 | $3,600 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of store equipment | $200 | $2,400 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms | $100 | $1,200 |
| Licenses & Permits | Business licenses, permits, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| POS System | Point of Sale software and hardware | $150 | $1,800 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $300 | $3,600 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $200 | $2,400 |
Some maternity brands make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best maternity brands in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for a maternity clothing brand?
Be mindful of these potential pitfalls. Here are five major costs every maternity clothing brand owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them effectively.
- Fabric and material costsThese can take up a significant portion of your budget. You're dealing with specialized fabrics that need to be comfortable, durable, and stylish. Prices can vary based on quality, availability, and trends. To keep these costs in check, focus on bulk purchasing, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and minimize waste. It's easy to overspend by buying too much or opting for premium materials that don’t add enough value.
- Your design and production teamYour team is your backbone, but paying for their wages, benefits, and training can be costly. This expense is always high because you need skilled designers and production staff to create high-quality maternity wear. You can optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your team, as this can lead to high turnover and poor quality.
- Rent and utilities of your workspacePrime locations come with high rent, but they can attract more customers. Utilities like electricity, heating, and water are essential but add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too large or too upscale for your needs.
- MarketingYou need to get the word out about your maternity clothing brand, but advertising can be expensive, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we provide in our pack. Overspending can occur if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Equipment and maintenance costsThis includes everything from sewing machines to office furniture. These are expensive because quality equipment and regular maintenance are crucial for smooth operations and product quality. Optimize by investing in durable, energy-efficient equipment and maintaining it regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech gadgets you don’t really need.
How to spend less with your maternity clothing brand?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a maternity clothing brand owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Fabric Costs | Partner with local textile suppliers for high-quality, sustainable fabrics at lower prices. |
| Labor Costs | Implement a scheduling software to optimize staff hours and reduce overtime. |
| Utilities | Install LED lighting and energy-efficient sewing machines and equipment. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your brand and collaborate with mommy bloggers and influencers for free exposure. |
| Packaging | Use cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging and offer discounts for customers bringing their own reusable bags. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular equipment checks and servicing. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce overproduction. |
| POS System | Choose a POS system that offers essential features with low transaction fees and integrates with other systems. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources. |
| Waste Management | Implement a fabric waste tracking system to minimize waste and donate excess materials. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional sewing machines and utilize retail management software for inventory and sales tracking. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital order systems. |
| Transportation | Plan delivery routes to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Showroom Maintenance | Schedule regular cleaning and maintenance to keep the showroom appealing and functional. |
| Customer Service | Invest in a robust customer service platform to handle inquiries efficiently and improve customer satisfaction. |
| Website Maintenance | Regularly update your website to ensure it is user-friendly and secure. |
| Returns and Exchanges | Implement a clear and efficient returns policy to manage costs and improve customer experience. |
Copy the tactics of the best maternity brands in the world!
There are maternity brands that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Expenses that are just useless for a maternity clothing brand
Yes, some expenses for your maternity clothing brand are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing sales or enhancing the customer experience.
| Maternity Clothing Expense | Reason It's Useless |
|---|---|
| Luxurious Store Decor | Overly lavish store decorations don't necessarily attract more customers and can be a drain on the budget. |
| High-End Fabric Choices | Unless you are a premium brand, most customers are satisfied with mid-range fabric options. |
| Extensive Product Range | A large product range increases inventory costs and leads to more unsold items. |
| Top-Tier Sewing Machines | Top-of-the-line sewing machines are not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Print Advertising | Traditional print ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your maternity clothing brand. |
| Multiple Uniform Styles for Staff | Having various uniform styles increases costs without adding significant value to the customer experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for music or magazines often go unnoticed by customers. |
| Exclusive Fabric Suppliers | Using rare fabrics can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Store Furniture | High-end furniture is not always appreciated by customers and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Shopping Bags | Personalized shopping bags are a minor detail that most customers overlook, and they can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Packaging | Most customers are content with simple, eco-friendly packaging, making expensive packaging unnecessary. |
| Extra Delivery Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Store Renovations | Constantly updating store decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Store Displays | Elaborate displays are often ignored by customers and add to the cost. |
| High-End Mannequins | Luxury mannequins are prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by customers. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Catalog Designs | Frequently redesigning catalogs is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Display Equipment | Specialized display equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your maternity clothing brand!
Managing a budget for a maternity clothing brand when funds are tight can feel overwhelming. It's like being trapped in a cycle where any unexpected expense can throw your plans off course.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in new designs or marketing campaigns, leaving you always scrambling to cover costs. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, pinching pennies and just getting by. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more flexibility and more resources to invest in your brand.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend a lot to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of maternity clothing brands just like yours. Get them now!
Make your maternity clothing brand more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best maternity brands in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
