Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms

Tricia runs her fashion studio, Hello World Fashion, in DTLA. With more than a decade of experience in the industry designing, sourcing and doing production, she can help you set up your fashion brand successfully, from the entire design through development process, including sampling and production. One of the things I love most about how Tricia runs her studio is her dedication to designer's successes. While many sample rooms or development houses will just take your money and do what you tell them (even if they know it's a bad idea or won't work), Tricia will give you her honest constructive advice to help you set up your fashion brand for success and sure you make the right decisions throughout the entire process. She also is completely transparent about her process, suppliers and the supply chain (she'll help you source your fabric, but won't keep that supplier a secret from you - whaaat? YES!). Tricia shares tons of lessons she's learned in her industry experience including when / why you want to source locally versus offshore, whether you should use stock or custom fabrics, and how to think about wholesale and retail pricing to set yourself up for success. In the interview, we talk about: Different business models to gain success with your fashion brand When and why you'd want to develop custom fabric vs working with stock materials What the design to development process looks like The importance of a tech pack whether you're making 20 units or 20k units The most important questions you need to ask your suppliers as a startup designer Options for protecting your designs (and why you shouldn't always worry about it) How to think about scaling and planning for the future For details and to RSVP to the LA meet & greet party with Tricia and me, click here. Guest Info & Resources Hello World Fashion Schedule your free consultation with Tricia Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to join the last round of FAST!

It's not often we literally go this far behind the scenes of the fashion industry on the podcast. But when the Outdoor Retailer trade show landed in my backyard (Denver), I knew I had to show up with my recorder to capture impromptu podcast interviews. Now, if I'm honest, doing this made me pretty anxious... You see, schmoozing in real life makes me uncomfortable. In fact, it's one of those things I often dread for weeks beforehand. I've gotten so used to working from home and doing conference calls that my "in person networking muscle" is atrophied. And walking up to complete strangers on their turf (their trade show booth) gives my nerves a good shake. But you know what happened? It was a blast and I'm thrilled I did it. People were excited to tell their story, share their fashion industry insights, and talk about how the OR trade show was going. In this Successful Fashion Designer podcast episode, I compiled these trade show floor interviews into one "mixed tape" episode. You'll meet some amazing people who share their stories and insights on: How brands are dealing with retail vs wholesale as the industry shifts and product distribution leans towards direct to consumer The importance of respecting your retail partners to create a better landscape for everyone Hard lessons learned after decades in the industry Why finding or creating the right partnerships can make or break your success Using apparel as a canvas to support urban artists and charitable causes like lymphoma and leukemia How technology is being used to break down workplace gender barriers Here are the 7 wonderful people you'll meet in this episode: [04:37] Lanny Goldwasser of Phunkshun Wear started the brand in a small mountain condo with just a sewing machine. His company now sells over 2400 ski masks a week. Lanny's story is inspiring and refreshing as he focuses on building a brand he believes in instead of just caring about the dollars. Neal Caplowe and his textile company, Sport Science was on the cutting edge of the athleisure trend in 2005. He's one of those awesome guys who's been in fashion for decades, and right away you know he's full of fun stories and great advice. Neal shares lessons learned on finding the right partners and what he would have done differently during the 12 years he ran Sport Science. [30:50] Aleida Junda works for Soybu, another brand who started designing athleisure before it was huge trend. Now competing in an overly saturated market, Aleida shares how they're standing out in a crowded marketplace and focusing on partnerships to create more success for everyone. [43:54] Bob Heimann started All City Artwear to give urban artists another canvas for their art: apparel. With his production knowledge and their artistic eye, the partnership is a perfect match and collaboration to create unique product. Bob shares insights from his decades of working in fashion and the importance of enjoying the journey, not just focusing on the destination. [56:38] Ashley Schendel launched POP Fit Clothing with no fashion industry experience. The brand went viral on Instagram by offering a free pair of leggings to new customers and 2017 alone, her team of 16 distributed over 350,000 pairs of leggings. Ashley shares how she built her business from zero and broke into a crowded marketplace. [1:04:39] Cameron Ferrara is executive director of the non-profit Carve 4 Cancer. Their team (all volunteers, including Cameron) works hard to "shred blood cancer" through action sports events. They raise money by selling basic screen printed shirts and hoodies, and they're working on taking it to the next level with customized product. Cameron shares the product development challenges they're facing and how they're overcoming them. [01:13:13] Peter Jackson is the CEO of Bluescape, a collaborative digital workspace designed to help people produce great work. It's hard to explain in writing how cool their "infinite workspace" is, but the thing I loved most about chatting with Peter was learning about the unexpected results their customers are seeing: gender and personality barriers being broken down to create more creative and collaborative workplaces. These interviews were SO fun to conduct and even more fun to edit together into one amazing segment. I hope you enjoy meeting these awesome people and getting a behind the scenes peak into different brands from the Outdoor Retailer trade show. Watch for another "trade show floor" episode coming on 2/26, I've got two more interviews from OR to share with you :) Click here to join the last round of FAST!

If you have no fashion industry experience, it can feel really daunting to try and start your own clothing line. Where do you source materials? How do you find factories and manufacturers? How do you sell your line to retail shops? But if you go slow, do your research, and have some patience, you'll discover you can get yourself off the ground. And that's exactly what Kristen of Exclusively Kristen did to start her fashion line with no experience. She spent the last 3 years navigating the industry one step at a time to get her line of tops for full busted women off the ground. She patiently and diligently researched what her customer wanted to make sure her product fit right, used the right fabric in the right colors and hit the right price point. After this long journey of educating herself and learning how to manufacture a product and work with factories, she recently started talking to factories in China to get her designs produced. In the interview, we cover: Why it's worth the small investment of hiring an expert to make sure things are done right How spending a little more money up front pays off 10x in the long run The value of asking your suppliers for referrals The importance of deeply understanding your customer Why you should have the self discipline to go slow and make sure your product is done right Her strategy of using pop up shops to get to know her audience and build a base following The difference in pricing, minimums and fabric costs from American made vs overseas Guest Info & Resources Exclusively Kristen Website Exclusively Kristen on Instagram Exclusively Kristen on Twitter Exclusively Kristen on Facebook Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Stamatina is a designer who finally gave up on her fashion career dream, and wanted to share her fashion career lessons. Now, I don't want to start this episode with a negative tone. Or make you feel like you too will have to give up on your fashion dream. But I wanted to bring Stamatina on the show after she sent me an email that said this: "I REALLY wanted to get the “dirt” out THERE!!! I wanted to LET people know my REAL life experience and how much money, time and sweat it took for me to finally give up my lifetime dream!! I felt it was my responsibility to save these newbies / young fashion designers who really had no clue what they were setting their selves up for!!! If I could go back and start over, oh boy!! I would do everything so differently today because the lessons I learned were very expensive and affected not only myself but my family as well." Here's the thing: We all go through tough times and learn the hard way. There are stepping stones for everything in life. But sometimes hearing other people's fashion career lessons can help make these experiences a little easier for ourselves. So in an effort to continue this week with more honest conversation in response to last week's dialog about the painful truths of working in the fashion industry, I invited her on the show. Here's a little bit of her backstory: Stamatina gave her hand at launching her own collection of dresses and resort wear. After investing $20k+ of her own money, some overhyped fashion shows that didn't result in any sales, and falling down the "I'll just put this on my credit card" trap, she shut down her business to pursue a fashion design job in NYC. Unfortunately, those jobs didn't bring her the happiness or joy she was searching for. She got stuck in abusive workplaces with bosses who didn't appreciate her. So she put her fashion dream aside to pursue a career in beauty. In this episode, Stamatina shares her unfiltered experience of what worked, what didn't, and what she would have done differently. She also shares why she doesn't regret doing any of it. In the interview (which I know you'll love) we cover: The realities of working in fashion What it takes to have your own fashion label Why you need to start slow (crawl before you run) Being smart about utilizing fabrics + colors + trims across multiple styles Considering costs and how quickly things add up, especially in relation to how much you can actually sell your designs for Having agreements with your pattern makers and other vendors and being clear about what you will get Knowing when to stop, slow down, say no, or just go a different route Having a strong stomach for working in this industry The importance of standing up for yourself What school doesn't teach you compared to what's expected in real life (be prepared to figure things out as you go!) Listen now for an industry insider's peak into fashion career lessons, so your journey may be a little smoother. Guest Info & Resources Stamatina on Facebook Stamatina on Instagram Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Last week, for the first time ever, I shared the full, unedited version of my fashion journey with you. It included: The painful (and ugly) beginnings of my own fashion line How my dream fashion job turned into my worst nightmare What industry experts don’t tell you about launching your own fashion line Your secret to surviving in the fashion industry And your response was overwhelming. My inbox was flooded with 100s of emails from you, and to my surprise, you were all thankful. Because no one else is talking about this stuff, you were relieved someone finally was. Initially, I was anxious and nervous about how you would react. Would you think I was a fraud (because my fashion line turned into a collection of guitar pick earrings that I hated!) or a dream crusher (because I told you the harsh financial realities of having your own fashion brand and how FUCKING hard it is to sell product!)? But you didn’t. I didn’t get one negative or mad response. You were happy to hear honesty and refreshed. And even more important, you realized you weren’t alone. That there are other people going through the same exact things as you are. Your story and my story and everyone else’s stories are surprisingly similar. I’ve never gotten this much reaction to anything I’ve put out. I’ve never gotten this many emails, and your replies have never been this emotional. So, I wanted to continue the conversation. I wanted to share some further thoughts on all of this and to emphasize the importance that none of us is alone. Which is why I bumped the previously scheduled episode to next week, and did an impromptu recording to further discuss what we’re all going through and the realities of working in fashion. Because this is really important stuff. And no one else is talking about it. We’ll be back next week with a regular episode, but in the meantime, I hope you enjoy what I have to say. If you want to continue this conversation, follow me on Patreon. In an effort to talk more about this, give you additional behind the scenes bonus content, and to listen more to what you want, we’re committing 6 months to doing Patreon. The effort is not to collect money but rather to have more honest and quality conversation about working in fashion. You can follow at Patreon.com/SFD. And you can find the promised (and embarrassing) photos of my fashion line, Funklectic, at SFDNetwork.com/37. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Your dream has been to make it in the fashion industry since you were a little girl (or boy). I get it! It was my dream too. But this industry is tough. Man is it brutal! You get rejected. You hear no a lot. And the competition is fierce. But your fashion dream can come true. You can push through the noise and rise to the top. Which is exactly what Caroline Vazzana of Making it in Manhattan did. And in this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, I am over the moon excited to introduce her to you so she can share how she made it in the fashion industry (and how you can too). Caroline Vazzana, a prominent influencer in the fashion industry who calls herself the modern day Carry Bradshaw, does partnerships, collaborations and attends events with people like Betsey Johnson, Christian Soriano and Heidi Klum. We're talking serious celeb status here! Caroline started her career in fashion journalism, but quickly realized she wanted to do more than that. So she branched out to start her own company and blog, Making it in Manhattan, which covers everything you need to make it in Manhattan from resume tips to how to sit front row at fashion week (yep, every day people like you and me can get that sort of inside access). She also shares a glimpse behind the scenes of her personal life and answers the questions we're all dying to know like does she have a photographer following her around? How big is her closet? And how many of the amazing clothes she gets to wear are actually hers? Spoiler alert: this is her actual NYC closet! In the interview (which I know you'll love) we cover: The top 3 things you can do to start your own fashion blog How to plan and prepare for quitting your day job Why you should never take no for an answer The importance of persistence and consistency Her strategies for growing an Instagram following Why it's ok to say no to things that aren't a good match for your personal brand How she launched her fashion career with no industry contacts Her thoughts on making friends and relationships rather than "networking" Why you have to "just start now" because life it too short Guest Info & Resources Making it in Manhattan Website Caroline on Instagram Making it in Manhattan on Instagram Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to learn more about the Fashion Freelancer coaching + mastermind program mentioned in this episode. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

It's hard to have a career as a contract fashion designer and work from home. But what if I told you it was possible to get so good that you no longer had to look for it and instead, brands came to you? In this interview, Hillary shares exactly how she did this - and how you can too. Hillary Glenn is a full-time remote contract fashion designer who built up her freelance business using LinkedIn, networking at trade shows and by going above and beyond with every client project she did. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer podcast, she shares exactly how. We cover tons of other strategies like: How to present your portfolio (and why she hasn't updated hers in a really long time) How to figure out pricing (and why it's ok if you mess up and underbid) Why she always presents more ideas to her clients than they ask for (hint: it gets her more work!) Hillary also shares her thought process behind calling herself a "contract" fashion designer instead of a "freelance" fashion designer. This is a topic I've discussed before, since most "freelance" work in the fashion industry is actually illegal. Whether you're trying to start a career as a freelance fashion designer or you've been freelancing for a while, you're going to love this episode. Oh, and we also talk about her personal journey on launching her own fashion line which she's in the middle of right now! We only touch on it at the end for a few minutes, but she's excited to finally be moving forward after thinking about doing it for years. She said she didn’t want to wait any longer, “there’s no perfect time to do this, so just do it now." Guest Info & Resources Hillary's Website Connect with Hillary on LinkedIn Email Hillary: [email protected] Hillary's Brand, Glenn and Glenn Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Happy New Year everyone! Today, it's just Heidi here wishing you a happy and safe holiday! We'll be back next week with a brand new episode - talk to you then. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Just Heidi on the show today, and I'm going through a review of 2017. This was a big year of change and growth for me and the business, so I figured what better time to share it with you than on the last episode of the year (which happens to be Christmas day - Merry Christmas!). I'll highlight some of the big events, some small but meaningful changes I've had, and some failures too. Because hey, we all have them. I also wanted to give you a sneak preview of what we're planning for 2018. Nothing's concrete (which is weird since I'm a big over planner!) but there are a few things you can expect to see in the first few months of the year. Hit play to hear those updates :) Hope you have a Happy Holiday with your family and I'll talk to you next week. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

It's almost the end of the year, and to celebrate how far the show has come in just 6 short months (thanks to you for all the support!), I put together a Best Of episode to feature some of my favorite clips. Now, this was no easy task. I re-listened to a ton of tracks and it was really hard to pick the best ones. If you only listen to one entire episode from the show, let it be this one. To make things easy for you, I broke it into 3 main categories: launching a label, freelancing, and career growth. There's also a short bonus clip at the end :) Here are the timestamps if you want to jump around: Launching a Label: 04:31 Freelancing: 14:14 Career Growth: 25:12 And if you want to hear the full episode for any of the featured clips, here's the list: Launching Your Label Episode 20: Jay Arbetman of The Sourcing District on how to find low minimum fabrics and trims for your fashion collection. Episode 9: Traceena and Lauren of The Sales Concept on how to increase sales and profits for your fashion brand. Freelancing Episode 2: Melissa Mendez on how to get more freelance clients with email pitching (with word for word scripts you can use). Episode 4: Marissa Borelli on how to stay in touch with prospects so they always think of you first when they have work. Career Growth Episode 18: Dior of Pepper Your Talk on how to write a resume that gets you the job, even if you have no experience. Episode 6: Chris Kidd of Style Careers on how experienced designers can make sure they get the wage they deserve Bonus Clip on Fighting Fear Solomon is one of those kind hearted soft souled people that you just want to give a giant bear hug to. I've not met him in real life, but when I do, that hug is happening (you've been warned, Solomon, you've been warned!). There are two parts to his episode, one on creativity, one on fear. If you're feeling creatively stuck or are terrified of putting yourself out there, these episodes are mandatory listening. The sound of his voice alone with soothe you - pinky promise ;) Episode 23: Solomon on staying creative even when you're uninspired or feel like there's never any time. Episode 24 (the clip is from this one): Solomon on getting past fear and maintaining your cool so you can get through any situation. If you would have asked me a couple years ago if I'd be sitting here recording a weekly podcast and interviewing industry experts from around the world, I would have said no way. But here I am, and I'm loving every minute of it. Thank you for your support and continued listening. Can't wait to see what 2018 brings for all of us. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

With no fashion background, experience or contacts, Sarah Coronado launched an insanely successful Kickstarter campaign for her underwear line, Blooms Privé. Now, if you listen to the interview, you'll hear me mention multiple times that these undies - the world's first period-friendly travel panty - are not something that a podcast does justice to. You have got to see them to really appreciate the ingenuity behind the product. Meticulously engineered for quick change and self-packing so you can be discrete, here are the undies every woman needs in her drawer: Sarah's journey from idea to launch is not unique. Like most successful brands and Kickstarter campaigns, it took a lot of hard work, passion and drive. Within the first few minutes of meeting her, it was clear that her ambitious attitude and unwillingness to accept rejection or failure is why she's been able to create so many amazing opportunities for herself. Sarah spent 9 months planning and strategizing the Blooms Privé Kickstarter campaign to make sure things went right. She also enlisted the help of experts to support with unknown territories. Her planning and careful execution resulted in not only a successful campaign, but she planned ahead to make sure she could keep up the momentum after it all ended. I really hope you love this interview as much as I did, Sarah's story is inspiring, honest and humble. If you're thinking about launching a label or doing a Kickstarter campaign, there is so much packed in our 49 minutes together that I know you'll love. You Will Learn Why you can’t work in a vacuum The value of getting feedback and building something with your audience and your community The importance of sharing your journey, story and behind the scenes stories with your customers How long it takes to build a successful Kickstarter campaign (hint: it's not overnight!) Different options for funding your venture Why sometimes you just gotta google and figure it out! Read, learn and ask people! How to figure out how much money you need and what you need it for Why you should hire experts and not try to do everything yourself How to pre-validate your idea / product before kickstarting it Guest Info & Resources Blooms Privé Blooms Privé Kickstarter Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Get More Resources Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

If you love step by step instructions, you're going to love this SFD episode. Rosie Davies runs The London Fashion Agency and PR Dispatch to help indie brands get the press coverage they deserve. In our interview, she walks us through the exact process brands can use to get featured in publications, on blogs, or with influencers. From figuring out what magazines to pitch to, what your email should say, and what to do if you don't hear back, she graciously spent an hour with us answering all our PR questions and telling us exactly how startup fashion brands can get publicity. Considering agency retainers can set you back $3k / month, this is a pretty sweet deal. Thank you Rosie for sharing all your knowledge! You Will Learn The number one mistake designers make when trying to get press coverage Why it’s worth investing in professional photography and brand assets before doing PR How to determine what publications are right for your brand Bigger doesn’t always mean better - why small publications can be your best bet How to figure out who to contact at the publication (and where to find their email) What to send in your pitch email (and what the subject line should be) The importance of engaging with influencers before reaching out Why you should think outside “fashion” influencers What to look for in publications to decide if they’re right for you Why you shouldn’t invest in advertorial coverage The surprising details about your brand that publications really care about When you should say no to press coverage The top 3 things publications want to know about your brand or product to feature it How to make sure you pitch the right product at the right time How to stand out and make sure your pitch email gets read and your designs get featured The best time to send your pitch emails When - and how - to send follow up emails if you don’t hear back How to use Instagram to engage with press and influencers When - and why - to mail a physical product sample How to leverage one feature to get more publicity How long to expect to wait before getting press coverage What not to do so you don’t annoy the press or editors Guest Info & Resources PR Dispatch PR Dispatch Instagram The London Fashion Agency The London Fashion Agency Instagram Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Get More Resources Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Malie’s climbed her way up the corporate ladder in the fashion industry and now works for one of the largest fashion brands in the industry, PVH. It took her a while to realize it, but she unconsciously did some strategic things that helped her gain traction and keep moving forward in her career. When she started implementing those strategies on purpose, she noticed promotions, new opportunities and career advancement seemed to land in her lap. Networking? I know many of us hate that dirty word, but it works. Malie walks us through the best way to network online, at events, and even with coworkers. It's these relationships that will help you move up in your job, or land a new one. Going above and beyond? It’s hard to think about doing more work when so many of us are already swamped with our day to day tasks. But if you want to get noticed, you’ve got to put in a little extra effort. Malie shares simple things you can do to create more opportunity for yourself like chances to work on new projects and make your boss (and team) love you. The best part? Some of these things are surprisingly simple and take very little effort to implement, but the results are extraordinary. Malie also now runs Pickglass.com, an online business that offers fashion career advice and helps designers grow in the fashion industry. You Will Learn The surprisingly simple things you can do to get ahead in your career Why it pays to stay in touch with college friends and colleagues over the years How to network in any situation The one thing you can do to break into the fashion industry and land your first job Why you shouldn’t always focus on moving up, and what to strategize on instead The importance of customizing your resume for every job application Why you can’t afford to get too comfortable in your job Guest Info & Resources Pickglass website Fashion Portfolio Series Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Get More Resources Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

It's Thanksgiving week in the US, so we're taking a holiday on the podcast. But I did create a short holiday message just for you to say thanks for all your support and give you a heads up on a few things we're planning for 2018. If you want to give your feedback on the idea I shared about recording your questions for the show, you can send your input to podcast at successfulfashiondesigner dot com. Look forward to hearing your thoughts, thanks again for all the support, and hope you have a great week, holiday or not ;) xx Heidi Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Making it as an indie fashion designer is emotionally, mentally and financially brutal. And trying to do it alone is even harder. Which is why I love this episode with Nathalie Kraynina, an indie ready-to-wear fashion designer turned custom bridal designer who has built her brand by working with other designers. Sharing resources like factories and fabric suppliers, and pooling efforts for fashion shows and events helped everyone in her community get further. Together, they celebrated the highs and helped each other through the lows. The times when you're at your worst and you want to give up, curled up in a ball on your bathroom floor in a pool of tears. Nathalie is brutally honest, humble and transparent about what goes into working in fashion and she doesn't sugarcoat anything. It's something I appreciate tremendously about her. Listen now for a candid and truly behind the scenes look at what it means to really work as a startup or indie designer. You Will Learn Why building a community and working together with other designers will sky rocket all of you ahead What it means to work collectively, and why it's much better than working competitively How making it through failures is the true measurement of your success The financial challenges, constraints and realities of being an independent designer Why fashion shows don’t actually do anything for you The importance of taking time to get out there, network and meet people Nathalie & Her Work Guest Info & Resources Nathalie's website Nathalie on Instagram Enjoy the show? Help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Get More Resources Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Liz Segran covers fashion at Fast Company, a world leading progressive business magazine. She’s interviewed hundreds of industry professionals, and in this week’s episode, I turned the tables and interviewed her. In our chat, Liz shares her interesting perspective of how the fashion industry is changing at the hand of millennials and what that means for consumers and industry professionals like you and me. From abusive workplace realities to startup fashion trends, she has a pulse on what’s happening and why brands do or don't succeed. Liz’s outlook and the overall trends she sees in fashion are positive. Our industry is making progress towards being more inclusive, and there’s more room than ever for startup brands to find their place in a crowded and saturated market. Our conversation takes a few interesting turns and we cover tons of topics, so whether you're a budding designer launching a label or trying to climb the corporate ladder, there's something just for you in this episode. You will learn: How millennials have put their foot down and said no to abusive working environments and unjust exclusivity in fashion How to find room for your brand in an industry that seems overly saturated How the industry is changing to be more inclusive, both for consumers and professionals Why simple thoughtfulness in your product design, fabric choices and function can have a drastic shift on your brand’s trajectory How to present your product to your audience in a way that makes sense and resonates with them Why transparency in your supply chain and pricing structure is becoming the new norm in fashion What brands are doing in wearables that’s actually working (instead of using technology for technology’s sake) Guest Info & Resources Liz on Twitter Subscribe to Liz's Newsletter Wage Theft, Drugs and Boob Tape: Here's What It's Really Like Working in Fashion Dagne Dover Cuyana Oliver Cabell MM LaFluer Third Love Wear Lively Project Gravitas Levi's Commuter Jacket Reformation Everlane Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Trish has worked with companies that support startup and indie designers since 2009. Her breadth of knowledge isn’t just around trade shows, but the business that goes on behind launching and building a successful brand. From how to get started to ensure success (yes, it includes finances and costing) to how to make the most of your trade show visit, she’s extremely knowledgeable and graciously shared tons of tips during our interview. If you’re launching a label, you don’t want to miss this episode. You'll discover not only how to make your trade show visit worthwhile, but also hear Trish's insights on making it as a startup designer. You will learn: When you should attend your first tradeshow (hint: it’s sooner than you think) How to prepare for a successful show Why follow up after the show is the most important part of building relationships The difference between sourcing at a small show like DGexpo vs a large show like Magic How to explain to suppliers what you want if you don’t speak the right lingo Guest Info & Resources: DG Expo Website Nineteenth Amendment California Apparel News Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Last week, in episode 23 (part 1), I introduced you to Solomon Eversole, who has the most calm and collected approach to creativity I've ever witnessed. He also has the same approach to fear. There's no panic or frantic "hair sticking straight up" frenzy moments. At least, that's not what you see from the outside. Solomon fully admits that he's a nervous, anxious wreck internally. But he carries himself calmly so that the fear and panic don't overcome or cripple his potential. And his strategy works. With 15 years experience in the corporate fashion world (plus a few of his own collections), he's gotten so good at remaining calm in stressful situations that his demeanor spreads like wild fire through any room. His team and coworkers tell him this regularly. You'll hear it in his voice throughout the entire interview, and I promise you'll experience the contagiousness firsthand. Within 5 minutes, I bet you feel more relaxed, inspired and ready to take on life than you have in a while. Solomon is an awesome human being with a great view on life. I am thrilled to now call him a friend, and if I ever had to return to the corporate world, he's a man I would be thrilled to call a boss. I hope you enjoy this episode, it's one of my absolute favorites so far. You will learn: How behaving like the person you want to be will transform you into that person How to reframe your mindset around fear so it doesn’t prevent your progress Why we should be childlike, not childish Why Solomon asks himself “what’s the most loving thing I can right now” to figure out his next steps for everything Why you should never assume what someone wants (especially in an interview) Guest Info & Resources: Solomon Eversole Website The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison David Hockney Meisner "act as if" technique Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Solomon Eversole has the most calm and collected approach to creativity I've ever witnessed. With 15 years experience working in the corporate world and on his own collections, he's figured out the best ways to help himself and his team express their artistic side in an industry that thrives on tight deadlines and late nights. Solomon explains his "plan first" approach to creativity. Giving himself a comfortable amount of time, the right mindset, and being prepared with the necessary tools, his outcomes are not only better, but he feels more peace of mind during the creative process. If you struggle with creative block, creative panic, or creative pressure, listen to this episode now. Not only will Solomon inspire you with new ways to approach your creativity, his cool, calm and collected demeanor will provide you with a sense of relief in an industry where we all too often feel overwhelm. And watch for Part 2 of our interview on overcoming fear. It's out next week. You will learn: How “Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance” Why you need to give yourself the time and freedom to explore your creativity The importance of controlling what you can can control (because plenty of things will become urgent on their own) Why planning gets a bad name but why it’s essential The 80% rule and why you always need a “fresh set of eyes” Why mood boards aren’t as essential to the creative process as you may think How to relieve yourself from the pressure of being creative How to prioritize your time and efforts when you feel like everything has to be done now That it's ok if everything you create isn't brand new Guest Info & Resources: Solomon Eversole Website The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison David Hockney Meisner "act as if" technique Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Carry Somers is founder of Fashion Revolution - a global movement calling for greater transparency, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry. If you’ve seen the “Who Made My Clothes” sign that millions of consumers, brands and producers have shared on social media, then you know what Fashion Revolution is doing. Simply put, they’re asking us to be more curious about where our clothes come from and who made them. You will learn: The harsh truths about what goes on behind the scenes in many factories Why higher price doesn’t mean ethically made Why paying fair wages and creating safe workplaces for garment workers only increases your garment cost by $0.50 Why being curious can have the biggest impact towards a more ethical supply chain What you can do - as just one person - to make a change and have a voice Guest Info & Resources: Fashion Revolution Website Fashion Revolution Instagram Fashion Revolution Facebook Fashion Revolution Twitter Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Billie Whitehouse has been called the Elon Musk of Fashion. In just 4 1/2 years, she's launched multiple successful wearable tech products. Her most recent, Nadi X, is a line of activated yoga apparel that listens & responds to your body. In the interview, Billie shares her valuable lessons learned about getting funding, advice for growing your circle of friends to help support you during your ventures, and how to create a product that your customer loves. You will learn: How to know when you’re ready to go after funding Why you’ll probably get rejected 100+ times (and that’s ok) Why you should become friends with your competition How to get over the dirty “networking” word Why you need to put your customer, not yourself, first The difference between emotional vs quantifiable data in fashion tech, and which direction we’re moving towards The importance of creating experiences for people through the clothes they wear Why you should look at yourself as a designer of the future Where fashion tech is heading and why you can’t ignore it Guest Info & Resources: Decoded Fashion Bella Beat The Future of Design Wearable X Website Wearable X Instagram Billie on Instagram Billie on Twitter Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Jay is your absolute one stop shop for sourcing anything and everything you need to make your product, including fabrics, trims, hangtags, labels and so much more. In this interview, Jay shares why indie designers are seeing more success now than they were 5 years ago, what materials you can cut costs on and where you may want to spend a little more, and why buying from NYC’s garment district is the biggest mistake most designers make. You will learn: The different supplier tiers: retail, jobber, fabric importer, converter and mill Why you need to be really careful buying from a jobber The challenges of sourcing fabric in the NYC garment district Why independent designers are seeing greater success now than 5 years ago The importance of continuity in the supplies you source Why logistically it’s more expensive to do small batch production overseas than locally What materials you can cut corners and costs on, and what ones you don’t want to Guest Info & Resources: The Sourcing District Website The Sourcing District on Instagram Call Jay: 708-386-8586 Email Jay: [email protected] Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Kathryn Hilderbrand is a master tailor, designer and business entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience working in the fashion industry. She founded Good Clothing Company in 2015 to create small runs of production for designers, and is passionate about bringing clothing manufacturing back to the United States. In this interview, she shares why it's important to bring manufacturing back to the US, how it's unfair to expect a garment to cost the same as a cup of coffee, and what designers are doing to educate their consumers about ethical manufacturing. You will learn: Why manufacturing and production are coming back to the states The number one challenge US factories face How doing small batch production and going direct to consumer can make you more money Why US production costs are starting to compete against Chinese factories How to educate your consumer about your product and why the cost is more than some retail The downfalls of fast fashion and why customers are starting to shop differently Why consumers have been trained that fashion should be cheap, and how to help them rethink their purchases Guest Info & Resources: Good Clothing Company We Are Good Apparel Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Dior Bediako founded Pepper Your Talk out of personal frustration. As a young designer beginning her career in fashion, she realized there was little to no support available for designers to work they way up from an entry level job. In her own words, PYT is that friend that will: (a) steal all the unanswered fashion questions from your head (b) ANSWER THEM with the help of our cheeky industry connections (c) Make you laugh (when you want to cry) throughout the process of navigating the career cross-roads. In our interview, she delivers on all of these things! You will learn: How to tailor your resume / CV towards fashion jobs even if you have no experience How to write a cover letter / introduction that gets noticed What you can do to be prepared for an interview, and how to decrease your anxiety Why you must have an opinion, even if everyone doesn’t agree How to add value to your team and get noticed in your company Why you should always be thinking about what’s next in your career Why it’s ok not to know everything The number one question you should ask in every interview How to follow up and get feedback when you don’t get the job What to do when you resume goes into a black hole Guest Info & Resources: Pepper Your Talk Website Pepper Your Talk Instagram Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

I took the day off today and hope you did too! We'll be back next week with another great episode. Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Anna Livermore is founder of VMora, a fashion business and production consulting company that works one on one with independent designers. In this interview, she shares where many designers waste money that has little to no return, why you should look at your first round of production as a test, and why staying specific and niche with your idea is better than trying to please every body. You will learn: How much you need to budget for each design Why timeline, costing and budgeting are essential for success The number one (and number two) thing brands spend money on that have little to no ROI (and where to spend your $$ instead) How to make sure your fit is perfect so it sells Where most creative designers get stuck during development and production The challenges of finding an investor for your fashion collection How to build your audience before launching a product Why having a specific niche audience will help you build lifelong customers The value of staying true to your product and story and not trying to create something for everyone The common mistake most designers make when choosing a market How to budget your finances and time to increase success Why being humble will get you further than having a big ego How to make sure a factory is a good match for your product Why you should look at your first round of production as a test Guest Info & Resources: VMora's Website Email Anna: [email protected] The Romphim Kickstarter Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Kim Dippel is a fashion designer with 12 years of experience working for surf brands like Oneil and Quiksilver. After having a baby and moving away from a hub, she wanted to try freelancing. After not having any luck with her existing contacts, she turned to UpWork where she successfully landed a few ongoing clients that have kept her consistently busy. In the interview, Kim shares how to land your first few gigs, why honesty and transparency is essential to building relationships, and how to raise your rates with clients. You will learn: What you can do to land your first few jobs and build up your ratings How to write a custom proposal and get the client’s attention Red flags to look for when deciding whether to take a project or not What to watch out for when bidding project based (flat fee) work How to negotiate your rate without cutting yourself short How to transition clients off UpWork Strategies to track correspondence (phone, email) to make sure you get paid for your time Why your website should be a cohesive representation of you as a brand Why it’s ok to ask your client a lot of questions Guest Info & Resources: Kim's Portfolio Website Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Kathleen Fasanella is author of one of the fashion industry’s best resource books, The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing. Kathleen is a trained pattern maker with almost 4 decades of experience, and now owns a factory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this interview, she shares why speaking the right language can help factories and vendors take you seriously, how to make sure your production stays on track so you don’t get bumped out of line, and why designing isn’t always as glamorous as it can seem. You will learn: Less expensive and more effective alternatives to FIT or FIDM for technical design Why you may be more technically inclined than you think (hint: if you can sew, you are) The difference between a manufacturer and a sewing contractor How speaking the right language will help suppliers take you seriously Why you should only produce one style with a new factory The realities of being a designer, and why it’s not as glamorous as you think How to make sure your production stays on track and you don’y get bumped out of line for a bigger order Guest Info & Resources: Kathleen's Website: Fashion Incubator Kathleen's Book: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing El Centro College (Dallas) Seattle Community College LA Trade Tech Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Having a job as fashion designer glamorous and creative. Honest, it isn’t always that way. Most people don’t talk about this publicly, but Emily Keller is different. Which is why I knew I had to invite her on the show. In this episode, Emily shares her experience working as an employee the perception of working as a designer versus the reality, how to figure out if pursuing fashion as a second career is right for you, and the often limited creativity you’ll actually use in your job. You will learn: The difference between what you think a fashion designer does and what they really do How creative you really get to be as a designer Pros and cons of working for big runway brands versus smaller lesser known brands The perception of working in fashion versus the reality Tips on pursuing fashion as a second career How to understand what you’re really getting into when you go into fashion Why fashion designers don’t dress well Guest Info & Resources: Emily’s Website Emily’s YouTube Channel Connect with Emily on LinkedIn Why Fashion Designers Don’t Dress Well FASHION DESIGN AS A 2ND CAREER: Before You Go Back To School To Become A Fashion Designer Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

In this episode I’m chatting with Abbie Ellis, co-founder of Stitch Method - a Chicago fashion agency that helps you DEFINE your market, DEVELOP your product and DELIVER it to your customers. In the interview, she walks through a step by step overview of the production process, how to work backwards from costing and budgeting to design, and why a tech pack is essential for every product, no matter how simple or where you’re manufacturing. You will learn: How long it takes to go from idea to production (hint: it’s longer than you think!) How much you should budget to get your design into production How to know whether you should manufacture overseas or locally A step by step walk through of the production process from start to finish Why your factory is one of your most valuable resources How to work backwards from costing and budgeting to design The value of thinking bigger picture and creating long term goals Guest Info & Resources: Stitch Method Production Checklist Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

In this episode I’m chatting with Colleen Monroe, founder of Untucked Workwear - clothes designed for women who embrace a lifestyle filled with gumption and a whole lot of go. After a year and a half of hard, Colleen launched a successful Kickstarter to fund the first round of production of her three piece collection. In the interview, she talks about how to build an email list and an audience before you even have a product, why fit is one of the most important factors to your success, how to deal with the financial realities of launching a label, and the importance of engaging with your customer You will learn: How to build tons of raving fans for life before you even have a product How to collaborate with non-fashion brands to grow your audience Why it's better to take your time to make sure your product is done right The financial challenges of launching a label and advice to overcome them The non-glamorous parts of the fashion world How to have a successful Kickstarter campaign Guest Info & Resources: Untucked Workwear Instagram Twitter TEG LA Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

In this episode I’m chatting with Sheena Schoolcraft, a fashion designer in NYC who’s worked with brands like OshKosh, Tommy Hilfiger and Dress Barn. During our conversation, Sheena shares how to present your online portfolio and why it should be different than your physical portfolio, why being easy to work with can be key to your success, what you can bring to an interview to impress the hiring manager, and the best strategies to make sure your resume stands out. You will learn: How to make your resume results driven - even if you don't have a lot of experience The value of relationships and a positive attitude Why happy hour and casual work engagements may be where you land your next gig The one thing nobody brings to an interview but should The importance of showing brands how you can benefit them What employers really want in their employees Guest Info & Resources: Sheen's Website LinkedIn Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

In this episode I’m chatting with Shilpa, founder of Nayali, an activewear brand for women bra size "D-cup & Up". Shilpa spent over a decade working for huge brands like Conde Nast, Fubu, and Gap. She took all her experience, quit her job, and went to Bali to do a solo label. A year and a half later after some big mistakes and a lot of tears, she launched her brand, Nayali. This is her story, her lessons learned, and her advice to others starting a brand. You will learn: The importance of capturing your customer with a solution to their problem How to tighten your assortment (and the dangers of offering too many skus) The etiquette of working with factories in different countries How to push your factories to get your product made the right way Why it’s safe to stick with what you know at the beginning, and worry about growth later The pros of getting really specific with your collection The benefits of getting help from others and why you shouldn’t do this alone How to convince a factory to take your order - even if it doesn’t meet their minimums Why you have to speak up to not be taken advantage of The parts of the process you should do locally, and what you can source overseas Guest Info & Resources: Nayali Instagram Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

In this episode I’m chatting with Traceena & Lauren, founder of The Sales Concept, which helps designers maximize profits through merchandising and sales strategies. This is one of the most content packed episodes to date, and if you have - or want to start - a label, grab a pen and paper to take notes and listen carefully to everything these two experts have to say. Traceena and Lauren give step by step instructions of how to approach buyers at shops and trade shows, word for word scripts of what to say on phone calls or in emails, and the exact steps to follow from the time you find the shop to writing the order. You will learn: What merchandising is and why it’s crucial to your success The simple “backwards” strategy of pricing your products The number one merchandising mistake designers make How to approach buyers in person, in email and by phone (and which is best) The etiquette for following up with buyers (how much is too much!?) The easiest way to build your prospect list Why your prospect list is your secret weapon (and how big it should be) How to know if a buyer is serious or not The simple trick for approaching buyers at trade shows Why custom line sheets are key to getting the order How to follow up with buyers without sounding sales The value of repping your line yourself Why you have to get feedback during every buyer meeting The number one question you have to ask during your first interaction with a buyer Guest Info & Resources: The Sales Concept Instagram Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

In this episode I’m chatting with Michelle Fifis, founder of Pattern Observer and creator of the Textile Design Lab, a blog and community that helps creatives grow their textile design business. Michelle’s done textile work for Columbia Sportswear, Lucy Activewear, Jantzen Swimwear, Perry Ellis and had been featured in Stylesight.com, Elle Decor, and Nordstrom. In the interview, she shares how she got started and worked her way up in the industry, her strategy for leaving her full time job to start freelancing, and how she grew her blog into a successful online business. Michelle and I also talked about how to choose and start working with an agency or print house, how to stay motivated when you feel deflated, and not only how to price your work, but how to gracefully raise your prices. You will learn: The role a textile designer plays in the fashion world The pros and cons of working with an agent or print house How to rediscover your creativity when you feel stuck The importance of having patience with your career growth How to stay up to date on trends if you don't have access to expensive services like WGSN The importance of having a community and not working in a vacuum Guest Info & Resources: Pattern Observer blog Why it's okay to take a break from social media Surtex textile show Vogue Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Gia's a fashion freelancer who’s worked with huge names like Northface and Columbia Sportswear as well as small startup brands. Her eye for technical design and product development plus her friendly personality and hard working attitude is why most of her freelance gigs have luckily fallen right into her lap. In this interview, Gia and I chat about why your network is the best resource for new work, why it’s ok to charge premium prices, and creative ways to break into the industry without going to fashion school and starting with no experience. You will learn: The importance of going above and beyond in all the work you do Why it’s ok not to ask a lot of questions and not know everything How to get started in the industry without any experience The pros and cons of charging hourly vs by project and when to choose what Why the people you already know are the best resource for future opportunities Guest Info & Resources: Gia's Site Connect with Gia on LinkedIn Kathleen Fasanella Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

In this episode I’m chatting with Chris Kidd, founder of Style Careers, the largest fashion only job listing site. With inside access to fashion industry employers and exposure to job seekers at their career fairs, Chris has learned what works - and what doesn't - in the job hunting process. We discussed the importance of presenting yourself as a modern candidate, what sectors of the industry are booming, and the most important information to include on your resume. You will learn: What the first inch of your resume must include to catch the employer's attention What parts of the industry are dying, and what parts are booming Guidance for young job seekers and advice for breaking into the industry Advice for older job seekers to stay up to date and relevant The importance of taking risks How fashion is competing with other "must have" items and why designers need to be aware of this Why the fashion industry is in a rut and what designers need to do to break out of it Guest Info & Resources: Style Careers job search site Style Portfolios Fashion Career Fairs Style Dispatch for industry news Fashion Retail job search site Enjoy the show? You can help us out by: Rating us on iTunes - it really helps! Subscribing on iTunes - I appreciate each and every one of you! Looking for more resources? Get free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

In this episode I’m chatting with Danielle Meder who’s had a 10 year career as a professional fashion illustrator. She’s done live runway sketching at fashion weeks worldwide has a book called Draw Fashion now. Danielle shares how she broke past her fears of approaching people at events, how improving her appearance increased her success, and how she estimates and prices her freelance work to make sure she doesn’t leave any money on the table. YOU WILL LEARN: Breaking out of your shell and getting past fears of approaching people you want to work with How your appearance affects your success The “sex and cash theory” for jobs and why you need a balance How to estimate project fees and knowing when to pad your price Playing the pricing game with clients to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table What Danielle’s up to next now that she’s done knocking on fashion’s door GUEST INFO AND RESOURCES: http://www.finalfashion.ca/ http://www.drawfashionnow.com/ https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/danielle-meder-and-fiftythree-meet-the-developer/id821026628?mt=2 https://www.gapingvoid.com/blog/2004/03/25/the-sex-cash-theory/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breakfast_at_Tiffany%27s_(novella) ENJOY THE SHOW? YOU CAN HELP US OUT BY: Rating and subscribing on iTunes: sfdnetwork.com/review – it really helps! LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES? Visit sfdnetwork.com/free/ for free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Marissa ditched her volleyball career during her junior year at UCLA to enroll in Parsons - without the support of her parents. She turned her love for sports and fashion into a successful career as an activewear designer which she's been doing for over 10 years, working with brands like Lululemon and Athleta. She also had her own line of scarves with distribution to over 60 retail outlets internationally, and she now freelances full time from the comfort of her home while being a twin mom to two boys. Marissa shares exactly how she pitches new clients, prices her projects to make a fair wage, and successfully does that scary networking thing to get more work. YOU WILL LEARN: How to use your industry contacts to your advantage What to do to make yourself easy to work with and get more jobs How to get inside the customer’s head to make sure your designs are on target How to price yourself (and estimate projects) as a freelancer to make sure you get paid a fair wage How to use email to keep in touch with your clients and make sure they think of you first for projects Approaching companies at trade shows and other networking events without being "salesy" Why researching the brands you want to work with is key landing the job GUEST INFO & RESOURCES http://marissaborelli.com/ https://www.instagram.com/marissaborelli/ http://www.outdoorretailer.com/ ENJOY THE SHOW? YOU CAN HELP US OUT BY: Rating and subscribing on iTunes: http://bit.ly/SFD-review – it really helps! GET THE STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL FREELANCER http://sfdnetwork.com/download4/ Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Brian didn't even discover that he had an interest in fashion until high school, and then he dove head first in. Four years later armed with a degree, he avoided design jobs due to his lack of proficiency in Adobe Illustrator. He finally got an opportunity he couldn't pass up, so "lied" about his AI skills in the interview and landed the job. He "faked it till he made it" and frantically got up to speed in the software. Since then, he's used his skills, drive and determination to advance his fashion career and get promoted within his first year as a designer. YOU WILL LEARN How curiosity can drive you to success Why you have to ask for what you want (or else you probably won't get it) Why it's ok to not keep up with everything that's going on in the industry How to approach your boss (or your boss' boss) to get the promotion you want Why defending your designs and perspective is crucial What it's like working for small vs. large brands ENJOY THE SHOW? YOU CAN HELP US OUT BY: Rating and subscribing on iTunes: http://sfdnetwork.com/review – it really helps! LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES? Visit http://sfdnetwork.com/free/ for free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

After Melissa experienced what she thought was a heart attack while working in the corporate fashion world for over 10 years, she knew she needed to make a big life change. For over two years, she's been working as a freelancer and running her own design agency. She uses her industry network and cold pitching in email to get new clients (including a $15,000 contract from one email!) and in this episode, Melissa shares it all. YOU WILL LEARN How to transition from corporate to freelance fashion design work How to use free resources to educate yourself and build your own business Strategies to get new clients using your current network Using email to pitch and land clients The 4 podcasts Melissa listens to that helped grow her business What you need to do before cold emailing any company or person to offer your services CLICK HERE FOR MELISSA'S PITCH TEMPLATE GUEST INFO & RESOURCES http://www.melissamendezdesignstudio.com/ http://www.womencraftingsuccess.com/ https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/ http://www.internetbusinessmastery.com/ibmapodcast/ http://ask.garyvaynerchuk.com/ http://www.girlboss.com/podcast/ ENJOY THE SHOW? YOU CAN HELP US OUT BY: Rating and subscribing on iTunes: http://sfdnetwork.com/review – it really helps! LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES? Visit http://sfdnetwork.com/free/ for free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

If you want to break into the fashion industry, it seems logical that you’d need to go to fashion school. But what if that’s not for you? There are creative ways you can approach opportunities to get your foot in the door. Bjorn shares exactly how to get an interview, and what he’s looking for during that first meeting. These are things you can do on your own (without a fashion school degree) to secure your first opportunity. YOU WILL LEARN: The value of internships and building relationships What to include (and not include) in your portfolio Why Illustrator skills are mandatory – but what other skills you need to survive The skills learned in school vs what’s required in the real world How to better prepare yourself for a job while you’re in school How to create opportunities if you don’t have a fashion school degree Why a curious mind will take you far How to get in touch with Bjorn for guidance (thank you for this generous offer Bjorn!) GUEST INFO & RESOURCES https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjornbengtsson/ https://www.businessoffashion.com/ https://www.untuckit.com/ ENJOY THE SHOW? YOU CAN HELP US OUT BY: Rating and subscribing on iTunes: http://sfdnetwork.com/review – it really helps! LOOKING FOR MORE RESOURCES? Visit http://sfdnetwork.com/free/ for free fashion design templates, tutorials and more from Successful Fashion Designer Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Trying to make it as a new fashion brand is insanely cutthroat. The competition is fierce and there are hundreds of thousands of designers fighting to be the next big thing. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to make sure you're miles ahead of the competition. This is part 2 of a two-part interview with Rochelle Behrens who owns The-Shirt.com, a succesful startup fashion label. She shares her best advice and some of the strategies she used to get her brand off the ground...and fast. You will learn: * Why you may not want to get VC funding to launch your fashion label, but other places where you can easily get money * The single most important thing you must do before going into production so you don’t fail before you’ve even started * How to figure out how much product you should buy so you’re not stuck with tons of inventory you can’t sell * The simplest way to to get loads of amazing press coverage, even if you don’t have any connections * The number one thing you’re not doing that will easily get you swarms of paying customers and loyal fans who will tell the world about you * How to figure out if you should manufacture locally or offshore, even if you have no idea where to start * The easiest way to quickly get noticed as a new fashion label and stand out amongst the competition You can listen to part 1 here: https://soundcloud.com/sew-heidi/rochelle-behrens-the-shirt-interview Click here to join the last round of FAST!

Rochelle Behrens launched her label, The Shirt, almost seven years ago after she saw a gap(e) in the market for properly fitting and fashionable button down shirts. The problem she wanted to solve? It's called "the gape", and some of us know it all too well. After years of working in politics in Washington, DC, Rochelle became frustrated and felt unprofessional in the ill-fitting shirts available in the retail market. So, she ditched her career in politics to pursue a more fashionable one of her own. Not only did she launch a succesful label, she was able to patent the technology. And if you know anything about patents and copyrighting fashion, you know this is no easy task. I'm absolutely thrilled and honored introduce you to her. In part one of this two part interview, she generously shares her insights on breaking into this competitive industry, the challenges of selling online, and the keys to her success. In a competitive and brutal industry like fashion, you know that designers can be very tight lipped about their ways. In this candid interview, Rochelle tells all with specific tactics, strategies and actions she took (and that you can too!) to get her company off the ground and build it up to the successful brand that it is today. You will learn: - Steps you can take to transition from a career that has nothing to do with fashion to starting your brand - How one introduction can be all you need to get started - Why being inquisitive is the best way to learn - Strategies to sell bigger and what you can do to take your sales to the next level - Why differentiating yourself in the market is the key to success - How getting out of your comfort zone can be best way to make connections - Why it’s easier to succeed if you define a super specific niche for your brand - How to strategically navigate the “secretive” fashion industry and actually get answers to all your questions Music by buukwerm (Creative Commons) / Don't Stop Click here to join the last round of FAST!