Ukrainian manufacturer of clothes for newborns TM Betis

Victoria, good afternoon! Can you tell us how the "Betis" brand was born and whose idea was it?

The name "Betis" was born more than 7 years ago, when my children were born. Like any mother, I became immersed in selecting clothing for my kids. Motherhood inspired me to create clothing that would meet all my requirements, and as it turned out later – also the tastes of other parents.

Who helped you in creating and setting up the sewing production?

The path to the point where we could proudly call ourselves a domestic manufacturer was long and difficult. Throughout this journey, I have been supported by my parents and sister. In the beginning, we did everything ourselves. It all started with a sewing machine given to me by my parents. I developed the models, together with my mom, we searched for sales channels, my dad helped with raw material supply and equipment, and my sister was in charge of advertising, promotion, and packaging. Now I have a small team of employees who, like me, are passionate about the idea of creating the first clothes for the smallest ones. So everything we sew is made with love. And as I mentioned before, children are my main idea generator. In addition to the idea, there was also an incredible desire to create, to do something, to achieve something.

We’ve been working with you for several years, so it’s clear that you’re really succeeding! Clothes for newborns are always in demand, but it’s a niche market. What products do you produce?

We produce clothing for newborns and children up to 3 years old. These include sets for discharge, everyday and festive clothes, lightweight and insulated overalls, bodysuits, hats. We have the largest and most unique assortment of baptism sets and accessories. We also produce bedding for children's cribs.

How do you choose raw materials and suppliers?

Our production is not mass flow. We adhere to the principle that quality comes first, and so far, this has never let us down. Therefore, we approach the selection of fabrics and accessories very carefully. We purchase high-quality knitwear, made only from 100% cotton, and test it for softness and hypoallergenic properties. Considering that there is already enough "chemistry" everywhere and how "widespread" children's allergies are nowadays, this criterion is very important. The same applies to the accessories and snap fasteners – they do not contain toxic impurities. We conduct production certification annually and confirm our quality through hygiene examinations.
We are constantly moving forward, releasing new collections, updating our assortment, and improving the models that consumers love. We modernize production, introduce new equipment and processes, such as embroidery, transfer printing on fabric, and others.

Victoria, how did you "get involved" with the Torgsoft company? How did it happen that initially Torgsoft – a trading program – started helping with accounting in knitwear production?

It’s a long story. Initially, the Torgsoft program was installed in the children's store chain "Neposeda" in my hometown of Ochakiv. When I realized that without an accounting program it was difficult to manage the warehouse, track deliveries, and control settlements with my customers – and for me, as I mentioned earlier, order in these matters is very important – I started looking for a program to help organize the trading process. Thanks to "Neposeda," I learned about Torgsoft. It turned out that the program was suitable not only for retail but also for wholesale trading. So, I began managing the warehouse and sales with the program. Then I needed to somehow link the production of products and sales – because for me, it is all one and the same. Together with Torgsoft specialists, we developed tasks that needed to be added to the program. Thus, I got the sewing production accounting program, which fits my needs perfectly.

I want to say that the guys from Torgsoft are true professionals. They not only fulfilled what the client wanted (meaning me), but they also delved into the essence of the process, offering suggestions on how to organize the accounting more conveniently. And we made it work! Now we still reach out to them, and the program is constantly being updated with new features. These people put their whole soul into their work, which I greatly admire and respect.

Thank you for the kind words! I will certainly pass them along to the "guys from Torgsoft"!
Tell me, can you buy newborn clothing in bulk or retail from you? Who are your customers, and how do they find out about you?

We offer both wholesale and retail purchases of children's clothing. "Betis" products are available in many children's stores and retail outlets throughout Ukraine, as well as in well-known retail chains such as "Antoshka." We work directly with store owners, without intermediary markups. In Kyiv, we have our own branded retail store. We also have an online store at www.tmbetis.com.ua, where you can order children's clothing retail and browse the catalog for wholesale purchases. Twice a year, we participate in specialized children's product exhibitions in Kyiv (Baby Expo and BabyFashion), where we bring samples of new collections and where interested parties can arrange supplies of newborn clothing.

What is your pricing policy?

Our products are in the medium price range. However, according to customer feedback, we understand that "Betis" clothing is also purchased by people with a high level of income. This proves that our quality and appearance of clothing are on par with well-known brands. We have gained the trust of a wide range of consumers, which we are very proud of and value.

Vika, what would you, as a mother, advise to parents of newborns?

I would advise young parents not to chase after the beauty or uniqueness of clothing but to pay attention to the following quality indicators. Newborn clothing should be calm in color, as bright fabrics may, firstly, be dyed with toxic dyes, and secondly, may irritate the baby’s skin. The clothing should not restrict movement, cause rubbing, or fit too tightly. Pay attention to the neatness of the seams, treatment of details (loops, edging, etc.). How carefully the hardware and small details are sewn, the functionality of the buttons. If the buttons are hard to open, the fabric around them may tear or stretch.

What recommendations would you, as a manufacturer and supplier of children's clothing, give to new store owners?

I recommend entrepreneurs take goods from trusted suppliers. If possible, check how reliable the company is in meeting delivery deadlines, pricing policies, and the availability of the models listed in the catalog. What are the conditions for purchases – do you need to buy all the goods or can you take them on consignment and pay the supplier in installments? In clothing trading, collections are usually made to order, with partial prepayment required in advance. The products should be delivered within the agreed time frame. Otherwise, the entrepreneur may suffer losses, for example, if the delivery of warm pajamas is delayed by at least 2 weeks. Buyers will simply purchase the necessary items from other stores, and when your goods arrive, the demand will already be gone. We’ve been working for 7 years, we have loyal customers with whom we’ve long established relationships. The number of customers is growing every year, which makes us very happy. This means more children are being born, and our products are gaining the love of consumers. But we strive not to disappoint our clients, and we meet deadlines, even though sometimes the seamstresses have to work in three shifts.

And of course, I want to warn against trading in goods of dubious quality, especially in the "newborn" segment. I know that finding quality and affordable products on which one can earn is not easy. But, firstly, having quality certificates from the manufacturer will save you from problems with inspecting authorities, and secondly – it’s great advertising for your product, a good distinction from competitors, and a guarantee of your store’s good reputation. We have encountered cases where store owners tried to switch to "Chinese" goods, but then returned to our brand. You can't fool the consumer, even if you succeed – only once...

Victoria, thank you for the conversation, I wish you inspiration and a lot of energy to implement your creative ideas and commercial goals!

Thank you! And I wish the same to you!

Torgsoft Company, 2012

16.08.2012