Question 1

How do I create my profile on Flence?

Accepted Answer

Click "Get Started" in the navigation bar, select your account type (Individual, Brand, or Company), fill in your basic information, upload profile and cover photos, choose your roles (Designer, Model, Photographer, etc.), and complete your personal details. After email verification, you can enhance your profile with bio, location, skills, and portfolio.

Question 2

What's the difference between account types?

Accepted Answer

Individual accounts are for freelancers and solo creatives. Brand accounts represent fashion brands or labels. Company accounts are for agencies, studios, or businesses. Each type has the same features but different profile presentation styles.

Question 3

Can I change my username later?

Accepted Answer

Your username is permanent once created to maintain consistency across the platform. Choose carefully during registration. However, you can update your display name (full name) anytime in profile settings.

Question 4

How do I verify my student status?

Accepted Answer

During registration, check "I'm a fashion student" and upload valid student ID or enrollment letter in the verification section. Admin will review within 24-48 hours. Verified students get special benefits and badges.

Question 5

How do I create a portfolio gallery?

Accepted Answer

Go to your Dashboard → Galleries → "Create New Gallery". Enter title, description, choose visibility (Public/Private/Members Only), and start uploading images. You can create up to 3 galleries on Explorer tier, unlimited on Insider tier.

Question 6

What image formats and sizes are supported?

Accepted Answer

We support JPG, PNG, WEBP, and HEIC formats. Maximum file size is 10MB per image. For best quality, upload high-resolution images (minimum 1200px width). Images are automatically optimized for web viewing.

Question 7

How do AI-powered tags work?

Accepted Answer

When creating or editing a product/gallery, click "AI Suggestions" next to the tags field. Our AI visually scans your images and analyses the description to suggest highly relevant tags for style, colour, technique, and category. You can accept, modify, or ignore each suggestion. Accurate tags significantly improve your visibility in searches and on the B2B marketplace.

Question 8

Can I organize images within a gallery?

Accepted Answer

Yes! In gallery edit mode, drag and drop images to reorder them. Set a cover image by clicking the star icon. You can also bulk delete or move images between galleries.

Question 9

What are the visibility options?

Accepted Answer

Public galleries are visible to everyone. Private galleries are only visible to you. Members Only galleries are visible to logged-in Flence members. Choose based on your content strategy and audience.

Question 10

What's the difference between B2B and B2C listings?

Accepted Answer

B2C listings appear in the public Shop for direct consumer sales. B2B listings appear in the Bakeka marketplace for trade between professionals (wholesale, collaborations, services). You can create both types of listings.

Question 11

How do I create my first product listing?

Accepted Answer

Complete Stripe Connect verification first (required for payments). Then: Seller Hub → "Create Listing" → Choose marketplace (B2B/B2C) → Add title, description, price, images → Set shipping details → Publish. Use AI assistance for descriptions and tags!

Question 12

Do I need to verify my identity to sell?

Accepted Answer

Yes, seller verification via Stripe Connect is mandatory for payment processing. Upload ID/passport and business documents (if applicable). Verification typically takes 1-3 business days. See Stripe verification section below for detailed guidance.

Question 13

How does pricing work with platform commission?

Accepted Answer

Set your desired price. Flence takes a 10% commission on all sales (B2C and B2B). Stripe payment processing fees (2.9% + €0.30) apply. You receive the remaining amount directly to your Stripe account. Pricing is transparent — buyers see the total including all fees.

Question 14

Can I offer variants (sizes, colors)?

Accepted Answer

Yes! When creating a listing, add variants for size, color, material, or custom options. Set different prices and stock for each variant. Buyers select their preferred variant at checkout.

Question 15

How do I manage inventory?

Accepted Answer

Enable stock tracking when creating a listing. Enter available quantity. Stock automatically decreases with each sale. You'll receive low stock alerts. Disable stock tracking for made-to-order items.

Question 16

How do I manage incoming orders as a seller?

Accepted Answer

Go to Seller Hub → Orders section. You'll see all incoming orders with statuses (New, Confirmed, Processing, Shipped, Delivered). Click any order to view details, customer info, and shipping address. Mark orders as "Processing" when you start preparing them, then "Shipped" with tracking number when sent. Buyers receive automatic email notifications at each stage.

Question 17

What should I do when I receive a new order?

Accepted Answer

You'll receive email notification and in-app notification. Review order details and customer message (if any). Verify shipping address is complete. Prepare the item for shipping. Update order status to "Processing". Ship within 3-5 business days (or your stated processing time). Add tracking number when shipped. Communicate with buyer if there are any delays.

Question 18

How do I add tracking information to orders?

Accepted Answer

Open the order in Seller Hub → Click "Mark as Shipped" → Enter tracking number and carrier (e.g., DHL, FedEx, UPS) → Save. Buyer automatically receives email with tracking link. This improves buyer confidence and reduces support inquiries.

Question 19

Can I cancel or refund an order?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but timing matters. Before shipping: Contact buyer to discuss cancellation → Process refund through Stripe Dashboard (accessible from Seller Hub). After shipping: Only if item is returned or buyer requests cancellation. Refunds typically take 5-10 business days to appear in buyer's account. Platform commission is not refunded.

Question 20

What if a buyer disputes or has issues with an order?

Accepted Answer

Buyers can message you directly through the order page. Respond promptly (within 24 hours). Try to resolve issues amicably (replacement, partial refund, full refund). If buyer opens a dispute with Stripe, provide evidence (photos, shipping proof, communication logs). Maintain professional communication always.

Question 21

How do I view my sales and payouts as a seller?

Accepted Answer

Seller Hub → Sales Dashboard shows total sales, pending payouts, completed payouts. Access detailed Stripe Dashboard for transaction history, payout schedule, and financial reports. Payouts arrive 2-7 days after order confirmation (Stripe's rolling reserve). First payout may take up to 14 days for verification.

Question 22

How do I manage my orders as a shopper/buyer?

Accepted Answer

Go to Buyer Dashboard → My Orders to see all purchases. Filter by status (Processing, Shipped, Delivered). Click any order to view details, track shipment, message seller, or request support. You'll receive email notifications when seller updates order status or ships your item.

Question 23

Can I track my order after purchase?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Once seller marks order as "Shipped" and adds tracking number, you'll see tracking link in your order details and receive email notification. Click tracking number to follow your package on carrier's website (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.). If no tracking provided after 5 days, message the seller.

Question 24

What if my order doesn't arrive or is damaged?

Accepted Answer

Contact seller first through order messages - most issues are resolved quickly. If seller doesn't respond within 48 hours or refuses to help, you can open a dispute with Stripe (within 120 days of purchase). Take photos of damaged items. Keep all packaging. Flence support can mediate if needed - contact us with order number.

Question 25

How do I leave a review for my purchase?

Accepted Answer

After order is delivered, you'll receive email invitation to review. Or go to Buyer Dashboard → My Orders → Select completed order → "Leave Review". Rate your experience (1-5 stars) and write feedback. Reviews help other buyers and give sellers valuable feedback. Be honest and constructive.

Question 26

Why do I need Stripe verification to sell?

Accepted Answer

Stripe Connect Standard is the secure payment processor that handles all transactions. It ensures secure card data handling, fraud prevention, and compliance with financial regulations. Verification protects both sellers and buyers.

Question 27

What documents do I need for verification?

Accepted Answer

Individual sellers: Government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID) and bank account details. Business sellers: Additionally need business registration documents, tax ID/VAT number, and business bank account. Have these ready before starting.

Question 28

How is card data security handled? (PCI Compliance)

Accepted Answer

Flence NEVER stores or accesses customer card data. Stripe (PCI Level 1 certified) handles all card information. When customers pay, card data goes directly to Stripe's secure servers. This protects you from security responsibilities and liability.

Question 29

What information does Stripe ask for and why?

Accepted Answer

Personal Info: Name, date of birth, address (identity verification for anti-fraud). Business Details: Company name, type, registration number (legal compliance). Bank Account: For receiving payouts. Tax ID: Required by law for tax reporting. Website/Social Media: To verify your business legitimacy. See the complete step-by-step onboarding guide in your Seller Dashboard for detailed answers to every Stripe question.

Question 30

STEP-BY-STEP: What does Stripe ask during onboarding?

Accepted Answer

Stripe asks 7 main sections of questions: (1) Account Type - Individual vs Company, (2) Personal Information - DOB, address, tax ID, (3) Business Details - Name, product description, statement descriptor, MCC category, (4) Security Questions - How you handle card data (answer: "Stripe handles everything"), (5) Customer Service - Support email, refund policy, (6) Banking - Bank account for payouts, IBAN/account number, (7) Documents - Government ID upload, business registration if company. Check the detailed onboarding guide in your Seller Hub for specific answers to each question with examples.

Question 31

Who verifies my documents? Is it safe?

Accepted Answer

Stripe (not Flence) verifies your documents using automated identity verification and manual review by Stripe's compliance team. Your data is encrypted and stored securely by Stripe, a globally trusted payment processor used by millions of businesses. Flence never sees your sensitive documents.

Question 32

What if I don't have a company/business registration?

Accepted Answer

Individual sellers (freelancers, artists) can register as "Individual/Sole Proprietor". You'll use your personal tax ID and bank account. No business registration needed. Choose "Individual" as account type during Stripe onboarding.

Question 33

How long does verification take?

Accepted Answer

Automated verification: Instant to few hours. Manual review (if required): 1-3 business days. You can start creating listings immediately, but must complete verification before receiving payouts. Check your email for Stripe notifications.

Question 34

What happens if verification fails?

Accepted Answer

Common issues: Blurry documents, mismatched information, expired ID. Stripe will email specific reasons. Re-upload clear, valid documents. Contact Stripe support via the verification dashboard if issues persist. Flence support can also help guide you.

Question 35

When do I receive my payouts?

Accepted Answer

After successful verification, payouts arrive 2-7 business days after a sale (Stripe's standard schedule). First payout may take longer (up to 14 days) for additional verification. View payout schedule in Stripe Dashboard (accessible from Seller Hub).

Question 36

Can I change my bank account later?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Access Stripe Dashboard from Seller Hub → Settings → Payouts → Update bank account. Changes require re-verification for security. Never share your Stripe login with anyone.

Question 37

How do I create a crowdfunding campaign?

Accepted Answer

Dashboard → Crowdfunding → "Create Campaign" → Set funding goal, duration (1-60 days), campaign title, description, images/videos → Add rewards for different pledge levels → Submit for review. Campaigns go live after admin approval (usually 24 hours).

Question 38

What types of campaigns can I create?

Accepted Answer

Fashion collections, new product launches, sustainable projects, creative collaborations, fashion events, or any creative venture. Campaigns must align with Flence's fashion and creativity focus.

Question 39

How does the funding model work?

Accepted Answer

We offer two funding models: (1) All-or-Nothing (Fixed): Backers' cards are saved but NOT charged during the campaign. Cards are only charged if the campaign reaches its goal and admin approves. If goal isn't met, no charges are made. (2) Flexible: Backers are charged immediately, and you keep all funds raised regardless of goal. ~5-10% of charges may fail when processed - these automatically retry for 10 days.

Question 40

What rewards should I offer backers?

Accepted Answer

Offer tiered rewards: Early bird discounts, exclusive products, limited editions, behind-the-scenes access, personalized items, or special experiences. Make rewards compelling and achievable. Deliver rewards within promised timeframes.

Question 41

Can I update my campaign after it's live?

Accepted Answer

You can post updates, add images, and answer questions. You CANNOT change the funding goal or campaign duration once live. Plan carefully before publishing. Major changes require contacting support.

Question 42

What happens after my campaign succeeds?

Accepted Answer

Funds are released to your Stripe account after campaign ends. Platform takes 5% fee + payment processing fees. You're responsible for fulfilling all rewards to backers. Communicate regularly with backers about progress and delivery timelines.

Question 43

How do I find collaborators?

Accepted Answer

Use User Directory to browse creatives by role (photographers, models, designers). Use advanced filters for location, skills, experience. Send direct messages or collaboration requests. Join projects looking for team members in the Projects section.

Question 44

What are collaboration requests?

Accepted Answer

Formal invitations to work together on projects. Include project details, role needed, timeline, and compensation (paid/trade/portfolio building). Recipients can accept, decline, or negotiate terms. All communication is tracked on platform.

Question 45

How does the project board work?

Accepted Answer

Create projects → Add team members → Assign tasks with deadlines → Track progress with statuses (To Do, In Progress, Done) → Share files and feedback → Mark tasks complete. Real-time notifications keep everyone updated.

Question 46

Can I chat with other members?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Direct messaging is available for all members. Click the chat icon on any profile. Start conversations, share ideas, negotiate collaborations. Professional and respectful communication is required.

Question 47

How do I share my portfolio with potential clients?

Accepted Answer

Your profile URL (flence.com/@username) is your professional portfolio link. Share it on social media, business cards, or email signatures. Set galleries to "Public" for maximum visibility. Update regularly to showcase your best work.

Question 48

What are endorsements and how do they work?

Accepted Answer

Members who've worked with you can endorse your skills (e.g., "Fashion Photography", "Pattern Making"). Endorsements build credibility and improve your profile ranking in searches. Request endorsements from past collaborators in the Skills section.

Question 49

What is the Creative Studio?

Accepted Answer

The Creative Studio is a suite of solo creative tools on your dashboard. It includes three areas: Visual Boards (personal mood boards), Project Planning (AI-powered project planner with Kanban), and Task Planner (standalone Kanban board). All three work without requiring a team — they're designed for solo creatives planning and pitching their work.

Question 50

How do I create a solo Visual Board?

Accepted Answer

Dashboard → Creative Studio → Visual Boards row → "+ New Board". Give it a name, then pin images by upload or URL, organize them into sections (e.g. "Mood", "References", "Final Selects"), and Finalize the board when ready to pitch it to a client.

Question 51

What is the Project Planning feature?

Accepted Answer

Project Planning (formerly "AI Projects") is an AI-powered project planner. Create a project with a name and brief description, then the AI questionnaire generates suggested pills specific to YOUR project — project type, timeline, team size, and visual direction. The AI then generates a proportional plan: a short brief = a 2-3 phase skeleton; a detailed brief = up to 6 fully-fleshed phases with tasks. The AI acts as a senior creative consultant, not a template generator.

Question 52

How does the AI project questionnaire work?

Accepted Answer

After entering a project name and description, a questionnaire appears. The pill options (project type chips) are AI-generated specifically for YOUR project — not generic labels. For example, a shoe store project gets "Bestseller Curation" and "Showroom Display Selection" instead of generic fashion labels. Timeline and visual aesthetic are also pre-selected by AI based on your brief. You can adjust any suggestion before generating.

Question 53

Can the AI improve an existing project plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes — on any project board that already has phases, the button changes to "AI Improve". Choose a concern (Add missing phases, More detailed tasks, Review for gaps, Restructure phases, Add delivery checklist) and the AI analyses what you have and returns an enhanced, gap-filled plan.

Question 54

How does the Kanban Task Planner work?

Accepted Answer

The Task Planner is a standalone 3-column Kanban board (To Do / In Progress / Done). Add tasks with a title, optional description, and color code. Drag cards between columns to update their status. It's accessible from the Creative Studio → Task Planner row on your dashboard.

Question 55

How do I pitch a project or visual board to a client?

Accepted Answer

Finalize the board/project (click "Finalize" in the top bar), then click "Pitch to Client". This requires an active Stripe Connect account — you'll see a "Stripe Active" green pill in the top bar if you're set up, or an amber "Set up Stripe" button if not. Once Stripe is set up, you can create a private offer with a price, deliverables, and a shareable link to send to your client.

Question 56

Why does Pitching to Client require Stripe?

Accepted Answer

When a client accepts your pitch and pays, Flence routes the payment directly to your Stripe Connect account (minus the 20% platform fee). Stripe handles the secure payment, so you need a verified Stripe account to receive funds. Setup takes 2-3 minutes from the "Set up Stripe" button in the board header.

Question 57

What is the Operations Hub Calendar?

Accepted Answer

The Operations Hub Calendar aggregates ALL time-sensitive activities from your Flence account into one premium calendar view: orders, returns, tasks, collaboration milestones, and any custom events you add. It has Month, Week, and Agenda views with 7 color-coded category filters. Find it at Dashboard → Operations Calendar.

Question 58

What types of events appear automatically?

Accepted Answer

The calendar automatically shows: new orders you've received (as seller), return request deadlines, task due dates from your collaborations, collaboration milestones, and your project board deadlines. Custom events you create manually also appear.

Question 59

How do I add a custom event with a reminder?

Accepted Answer

In the Operations Calendar, click "+ Add Event" (top right). Fill in the title, date, category (choose from 7 color-coded types), and optionally set a reminder (1, 3, 7, 14, or 30 days before). On the reminder date, you'll receive both a bell notification inside Flence and a branded email reminder.

Question 60

Can I export events to Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, or Outlook?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Click "Export .ics" in the Operations Calendar to download a standard ICS calendar file. This file can be imported into Apple Calendar (macOS/iOS), Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, or any other calendar app that supports the ICS format.

Question 61

What is Google Calendar Sync?

Accepted Answer

Google Calendar Sync is a feature that pushes all your Flence events directly into your Google Calendar, keeping them in sync automatically. The infrastructure is built — this feature requires Google OAuth credentials to be configured. The "Connect Google Calendar" button in the Operations Hub will activate when this is available. Contact hello@flence.com for current status.

Question 62

What are the 7 calendar categories?

Accepted Answer

The Operations Calendar has 7 color-coded event types: Orders (received as seller), Returns (return requests), Tasks (from collaborations), Collaboration Milestones, Visual Boards / Project Boards, Solo Projects, and Custom Events (events you create manually). You can filter any category on or off using the chips at the top of the calendar.

Question 63

What is the Performance Hub?

Accepted Answer

The Performance Hub (called "Activity Pulse" in the dashboard) is an advanced analytics dashboard available to Insider and Professional tier members. It shows your profile views, portfolio views, collaboration activity, orders, bookmarks, and more — all in a visual, motivational format designed to show growth even at an early stage.

Question 64

Who can see the Performance Hub analytics?

Accepted Answer

The Activity Pulse chart and all analytics features are available from the Insider tier and above (Insider + Professional). Explorer (free) tier users see a locked overlay with an upgrade prompt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Video Tutorials

Profile Creation

Portfolio & Gallery Creation

Product Listings (B2B & B2C)

Order Management

Stripe Connect Verification (Seller Setup)

Crowdfunding Campaigns

Collaborative Tools

Creative Studio — Visual Boards, Project Planning & Kanban

Operations Hub Calendar

Performance Hub — Analytics & Statistics

Visual Board & Custom Offers

Pro Recruitment & FashionSpyder

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