MANUFACTURING

Manufacturer Starts Rent-a-Desk Program in L.A. Fashion District

A block or two from Santee Alley in downtown Los Angeles, Michael Harb believes that he can build an incubator and a post-college program for beginning manufacturers.

Earlier this month, he opened space at his company, M. Anthony Inc., located at 1510 S. Santee St., for beginning manufacturers to start putting together their styles. At its most basic, he rents space and tools to beginning manufacturers. His program, called Rent a Fashion District Desk, provides office rental, which ranges from $250 to $400, Harb said.

“Instead of investing in space and machinery, they are able to come in and start here. It’s a good steppingstone for the young entrepreneur,” said Harb, who has more than 30 years of experience in fashion manufacturing.

Renting creative office space is an increasingly popular business. Harb believes that his company offers a point of difference by also offering the experience of working manufacturers. The businesspeople and executives working at M. Anthony Inc. would be available to the new entrepreneurs renting space there. The renters also could consult with the international wholesalers who also work with the company, Harb said. If participants in the program want M.Anthony Inc. sewers to make samples for them, it would be an added cost, Harb said.

“I’m trying to guide them through so they don’t make mistakes; it will cost them less money in the long run,” he said of his program.

Along with showing people the ropes in manufacturing, Harb could see the possibility of his service acting as a business incubator.

“The ideal goal is to get a dozen designers from different categories—Web designers, graphic artists, for example—everyone would work together, and this place is a phenomenal area to start our business,” he said.

For more information, call (818) 445-5655 or email michaelssjeans@sbcglobal.net.