In the previous article (this article), I introduced how to determine the direction of our products rationally. There are rising segments even in a saturated market like sewing.
It means we try to discover the unstylish side in the market. Let’s talk about it.
How to know a profitable market
Sometimes, we want to know a profitable market. We want to be more abundant.
It would be a market where we can show our talents. Our individuality allows us to create unique things with higher values.
If you like this blog, you may have the talent for empathy and logical sense, like I do.
However, we sometimes don’t know where we can showcase our abilities.
One solution is discovering the unstylish side of the market. This perspective might help you identify a profitable market. Today, I will explain why.
Two styles of making a strategy
If you are empathic and logical, try discovering the less stylish side of the market. That can lead you to the segment where you can show your talents.
There are two styles of making a strategy, as follows:
- Identifying what will sell more: This is the perspective focused on the present. Since rankings show you what is sold the most, you can easily understand it. However, it would be naturally competitive due to its simplicity.
- Identifying market cycles: This is the perspective focused on the transition. It requires logical sense, which provides us with a broader and historical insight. In addition, imagination verifies its validity. Logical and empathic people are good at this.
The market has cycles. If you want to create and sell your products in the long term, it is more efficient to consider the cycle transition rather than thinking about whether it will sell or not.
The concept of the market cycle shows you another aspect of value. It often makes something that is currently uncool feel cool.
An example of the sewing market
To make it easier to understand, let’s look at my recent example.
I recently started sewing bags. Until a few months ago, I was entirely ignorant about bags.
In other words, my understanding of bags was limited to the most mainstream values: a bag that looks luxurious is considered a good bag. Examples are bags from Chanel, Gucci, and Prada. They are made of leather and have a modern appearance. They have a refined artificial design—industrial, monochrome, glossy, and with little natural fluctuation. I thought they were fashionable.
At the same time, I viewed remodeled bags and handmade ones—like those crafted from used jeans and natural clothes—as being less fashionable.
If I only thought about whether the bag would sell, I would naturally create modern bags. However, it is one of the most competitive industries in sewing. If I entered such a field, I would have created imitations of popular items and ended up exhausted. I could never compete with top designers since I prefer logical functionality to beauty.
Looking from a historical perspective
However, if we look at the bag market from a historical perspective, it looks entirely different. It is not that it is uncool; it is just that the era doesn’t match.
For example, modern bags like Chanel are suitable for a socially stable and growing period. They give us an image of social success in human society.
However, suppose we are in a confused era. There are wars nearby, a gap between the rich and the poor, strikes of workers, and strife between societies. In such a situation, modern bags would give a negative impression. The display of social success becomes a provocation toward the poorer classes.
In such an era, natural designs become cool. Remodeled bags and handmade ones that fit the person’s personality suddenly shine.
Design reflects the social values. Times are changing. That shows us the attractiveness of a different style.
In my opinion, we are now in the era transitioning from a stable period to a chaotic one.
That changed my sensibility. I now feel that modern leather bags seem old, and natural, handcrafted cloth bags are refreshing.
Conclusion
That is why discovering the less stylish side of the market would help you become more flexible in sensibility.
The concept of the market cycle shows you another aspect of value.
It often makes something that is currently uncool feel cool.
This perspective might help you identify a profitable market.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope to see you in the next one.
