Chase Your Dreams
By Glynis Tao
Chase Your Dreams Feb 27, 2024
Scaling Your Business Through Changing Times with Maggie Lord
Maggie Lord, founder of Rustic Wedding Chic, shares her journey of starting, scaling and selling her online publication while balancing motherhood. In this episode, you will learn about how Maggie started with blog writing and eventually worked with vendors in the wedding industry, diversified her revenue streams, and adopted new digital platforms to grow her audience, up until she sold the company to David’s Bridal. Maggie also talks about her current role as a strategic advisor to female-founded brands and shares her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
About Maggie Lord
Maggie Lord was an early pioneer in the online digital wedding media space, establishing her media company Rustic Wedding Chic in 2008. As a founder and CEO of Rustic Wedding Chic, Maggie led the company for 12 years before it was acquired by David’s Bridal in 2020. Maggie is also the author of six books. Today, Maggie has become a sought after strategic advisor to female founded brands allowing her to focus on sharing her knowledge and expertise with other like-minded entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. Maggie and her businesses have been featured in the New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, Business Insider, Success Magazine, and much more.
Contact Info:
How to Build a Sustainable and Profitable Slow Fashion Brand with Kristi Soomer
In this episode, Kristi Soomer, founder and CEO of ethical clothing brand Encircled, shares her insights on entrepreneurship in the fashion industry.
About Kristi Soomer
Kristi Soomer is a visionary entrepreneur and sustainability advocate known for her work as a founder and CEO of the slow fashion brand Encircled. With a background in management consulting, retail and supply chain management, Kristi brings a wealth of expertise to the sustainable fashion space. Holding both an MBA and bachelor's degree in business administration prepared her for the challenges of disrupting the traditional fashion industry.
Encircled, under Kristi's leadership has become a beacon for ethical production, eco-friendly materials, and versatile garment design. As a certified B Corporation, Encircled exemplifies Kristi's commitment to making a positive impact on the environment, her team, and her customers.
A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Kristi shares her insights on sustainable fashion at conferences, events, and podcasts, inspiring others to embrace conscious consumption. Kristi Soomer's dedication to her community, philanthropic efforts, and passion for ethical practices are demonstrated through her coaching and online education business at kristisoomer.com where she helps up and coming entrepreneurs learn how to scale their business through coaching, her eCommerce Maven podcast, Facebook community and mentoring.
Summary
Kristi Soomer emphasizes the importance of understanding your customer and differentiating your brand. She discusses the evolution of Encircled from a travel clothing brand to a versatile athleisure brand. She also shares her motivation for starting her own business and the initial hurdles she faced. Kristi highlights the value of finding support and mentoring, as well as the need to adapt to industry trends. She offers advice for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs and gives a sneak peek into upcoming projects for Encircled.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristisoomer/
Website: https://www.kristisoomer.com/
Company Website: https://www.encircled.ca/
Encircled Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encircled_/
Everything is a gift. An Interview with Fashion Designer Linda Lundström
In this episode you will discover the journey of Canadian fashion designer, Linda Lundström.
Linda shares her insights on embracing change, the impact of technology in manufacturing and why challenges should be seen as gifts. Join us for inspiring conversation with this true fashion innovator.
About Linda Lundström
Linda Lundström is an award-winning fashion designer, lean manufacturing practitioner, inspirational speaker, Indigenous ally, and creative director of online outerwear brand Therma Kōta.
Linda’s career spans over five decades in the fashion industry. She's well known for designing and building the Linda Lundström brand and a state-of-the-art Canadian lean manufacturing facility. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including three honorary PhDs. She was named to the Order of Ontario in 1995 and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. She is recognized as a champion of First Nations awareness, ethical manufacturing practices, and a proud supporter of the Made in Canada label. Linda's entrepreneurial journey is marked by synchronicity guided by mantras from her parents and a deep commitment to social responsibility.
Summary
Linda Lundström, a renowned Canadian fashion designer, shares her journey of resilience, innovation, and spirituality in the fashion industry. With over five decades of experience, she emphasizes the significance of seeing every life event as a gift, even setbacks like her company's bankruptcy in 2008. Lundström highlights the importance of paying attention to the universe's signs and believing in one's path. Her career is marked by her dedication to Canadian manufacturing, ethical practices, and empowering Indigenous communities through the Sewing Circle Project. She also discusses the transition from running a multimillion-dollar business to founding Therma Kōta with her daughters, focusing on sustainable, made-to-order outerwear.
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehackslinda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lundstromlinda/
Website: www.thermakota.com
5 E-commerce Marketing Habits That Will Pay Off
Today is a solo episode where we're diving into the essential habits that will pay off for your online fashion business. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the vast world of e-commerce marketing, you're in the right place.
E-commerce marketing can be a daunting task, but fear not! Today, we'll break down five key habits that won't break the bank but will significantly impact your online fashion business.
Habit #1: Improve the Shopping Experience
- Recommend Best Sellers on Your Home and Product Page
Habit #2: Show Social Proof
- Display Customer Reviews and Testimonials Everywhere
Habit #3: Do Email Marketing
- Collect Addresses and Send Newsletter Emails Regularly
Habit #4: Create Better Blog Content
- Publish High-Value Blogs that are Search Engine Optimized
Habit #5: Improve Your Copywriting
- Have a Clear Call To Action
How many of these marketing checklist items are you currently implementing on your fashion e-commerce website?
Maybe you’re nodding with full satisfaction because you’re using all these strategies for fashion marketing already, or perhaps you feel your jaw starting to tense a little because you realize—you’ve been missing out on some key opportunities to drive conversions.
It’s okay. The truth is, every business has room to grow and improve no matter where they are at with their marketing. It’s never too late to get started on building good habits!
Resources mentioned:
Blog writing tips to help your brand stand out
Discover your fashion entrepreneur archetype. Take the quiz: https://glynistao.com/quiz/
Join the free Apparel Workshop Community
How to Successfully Collaborate with the Right Influencer with Sherri Langburt
My guest today is Sherri Langburt, CEO & Founder of BabbleBoxx and has been a pioneer in the influencer marketing space since 2007. A passion for storytelling and brand marketing, and a desire to create an innovative social media solution led Sherri to create BabbleBoxx - the influencer marketing agency best known for its co-sampling and signature box strategies.
In this episode, Sherri highlights the significance of influencer marketing for fashion brands in today's digital landscape. She talks about what criteria fashion brands should consider when identifying potential influencers to collaborate with.
You'll learn why it's important for a fashion brand to align with influencers who resonate with their target audience. Including what are some key considerations and best practices when negotiating partnerships with influencers.
Lastly, she talks about what are some ethical and legal considerations that fashion brands need to be aware of when working with influencers.
You can find out more about Sherri Langburt on her website: https://babbleboxx.com/ Her Instagram is instagram.com/babbleboxxofficial/
Discover your fashion entrepreneur archetype. Take the quiz: https://glynistao.com/quiz/
Join the free Apparel Workshop Community
Wholesale Expansion Strategies for Clothing Brands with Cristin Zaccareo
My guest today is Cristin Zaccareo. Cristin is a strategic leader with 15 years of experience working with leading luxury retail companies as well as mid- and mass-market retailers such as Estée Lauder Companies, Shiseido Company, Lord & Taylor, and Ross Stores. Cristin has a strong history of constantly finding new methods to unlock value, drive sales, and evolve business models in an ever-changing retail landscape.
Her company CGZ Consulting strives to empower digitally native retailers to unlock their full potential through the implementation of wholesale expansion strategies.
Cristin addresses some of the common challenges clothing brands face when it comes to wholesale expansion, and how she typically advises them to overcome these hurdles.
Cristin covers the key factors that clothing brands should consider before deciding to pursue wholesale distribution.
She talks about some best practices clothing brands should take to approach pricing and margins when entering the wholesale market.
This episode is a must listen to clothing brands who are looking to expand into wholesale.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
List of Inventory Management Software
Contact info:
Email: cristin@cgzconsulting.com
How to Build a Creative Business with Thomas Girard
Welcome to Chase Your Dreams, a podcast for fashion entrepreneurs who are ready to pursue their passion and make a living doing what they love. I'm your host, Glynis Tao and today we have the pleasure of sitting down with Thomas Girard, a Canadian Scholar, TEDx Speaker, and the host of the Uniqueways podcast based in Vancouver, Canada.
Thomas Girard has not only been accepted to attend the University of Oxford for lectures equivalent to graduate coursework but has also received multiple Emerging Scholar awards, notably at the Design Principles and Practices conference in Barcelona, Spain, and Emily Carr University of Art and Design. He is also a recipient of the RBC Emerging Scholar award from the Royal Bank of Canada Foundation and an Emerging Scholar award from the New Directions in the Humanities conference in Madrid, Spain for 2021.
The conversation delves into Thomas' journey as a scholar, instructor, and creator in the arts and design space.
Thomas talks about what inspired him to start his podcast, Uniqueways with Thomas Girard and sheds light on his creative process, especially with over 120 episodes having spoken to influential figures like John Maeda, Debbie Millman, Eric Spiekermann, and Chris Do.
Thomas shares valuable insights he has gathered from these creative minds, and offers tips on building a creative business and personal brand.
He also talks about his TEDx talk, "How to feel at home in the airport." And the opportunities that have arose from that experience.
Finally, Thomas gives fascinating insights into how he foresees AI is changing the way we do business. He talks about how he has integrated AI into his business, social posts, and research endeavors.
You can find out more about Thomas Girard on his website: https://thomaskgirard.com/and his podcast Uniqueways with Thomas Girard
Brand Strategies & Marketing Tips for Sustainable Fashion Brands with Tiffany Wong
My guest today is Tiffany Wong, Co-Founder & Brand Director at The Ordinary Good.
Tiffany leads brand strategy and marketing at The Ordinary Good, a mission-led creative agency building and scaling sustainable and social impact e-commerce brands. Women led and operated. She has a brand building background layered with integrated marketing management for the past 7 years mostly in responsible fashion, beauty & wellness. Her favorite part of the job is working with early stage brands making our world better.
In this episode, Tiffany offers invaluable advice for emerging sustainable fashion brands looking to establish a strong brand presence and make an impact.
Tiffany explains the core concepts of sustainable fashion branding and why it's important in today's conscious consumer market. Learn how sustainable fashion brands can stand out in a competitive market by creating a distinctive brand identity.
Tiffany shares expert insights on leveraging email marketing to build strong connections with customers and communicate sustainability values.
Tiffany provides practical tips on using paid advertising platforms like Meta to promote sustainable fashion brands while upholding their values. Gain valuable advice on how sustainable fashion brands can maintain their commitment to sustainability without compromising on profitability.
Get a sneak peek into the future of sustainable fashion branding and discover upcoming trends and innovations.
Links mentioned in this episode:
You can find out more about Tiffany Wong on her website: https://theordinarygood.com/ Her Instagram is instagram.com/theordinarygood/
Discover your fashion entrepreneur archetype. Take the quiz: https://glynistao.com/quiz/
How to Start a Niche Clothing Brand with Miranda Sam
My guest today is Miranda Sam, founder of Shortlisted, a clothing brand dedicated to making life easier for short women (5'4 and under).
How? Through petite proportions, functional design, and foolproof styling versatility. This means no more spending extra time, money or emotional energy on alterations, online returns, size guides, dry cleaning, or shamefully shopping the kids section!
She’s worked as a Fashion Marketer, Retail Manager, Fashion Journalist and Blogger in a career spanning 15 years. Miranda has also been a guest speaker at VCC, JCI, UBC, and Apparel Camp.
Miranda talks to us about why she decided to start a clothing brand for short women. She walks us through some of the steps she's had to go through to get her clothes sampled and manufactured.
She shares openly about some of the biggest lessons she's learned with the launch of her brand. As well as the hard truth she's had to face when it comes to pricing her products for the market.
You can find out more about Miranda Sam on her website: https://theshortlisted.co/ Her Instagram is instagram.com/shortlistedco/
Preparing Your Clothing Brand for Wholesale Success with Misty-Dawn Paulson
My guest today is fashion wholesale agent Misty-Dawn Paulson, owner of Mstydon Group Fashion Wholesale Agency in Vancouver BC.
Misty-Dawn has made it a mission to make sure they only work with brands who’s first priority is to make sure their footprint is as minimal as possible. Some focus on eco textiles, some focus on fair production, some manufacturer in Canada, some use upcycled fabrics… the list goes on!
Having worked with a range of successful clothing brands, Misty-Dawn shares insights about preparing a brand for the wholesale market.
In this episode, Misty-Dawn explains the significance of wholesale in the fashion industry and why it's an important distribution channel for clothing brands. She outlines the essential criteria and characteristics a brand needs to be considered "wholesale-ready." This includes factors like product line development, pricing strategies, and production capacity.
She delves into the intricacies of pricing strategies for wholesale, offering practical advice on how brands can set competitive prices while maintaining healthy profit margins.
You will learn how a brand's production capacity and lead times factor into their readiness for wholesale. She discusses the importance of meeting quality control standards for successful wholesale operation.
Lastly, she discusses how brands can stay ahead of market trends and adapt their product line to meet changing demands in the wholesale market.
You can find out more about Misty-Dawn Paulson on her website: https://www.mstydon.com/ Her Instagram is instagram.com/mstydon/
Discover your fashion entrepreneur archetype. Take the quiz: https://glynistao.com/quiz/
How to Source Fabrics Sustainably with Ruth Kelly
My guest today is materials expert Ruth Kelly who's here to talk about how to source fabrics sustainably.
Listen to this insightful episode to learn about:
- How does one assess the sustainability of a fabric?
- How can businesses strike a balance between sourcing sustainable fabrics and managing their budget effectively?
- What are some effective ways for individuals or small businesses to find and purchase sustainable fabrics?
- Exciting technological advancements or innovations in the field of sustainable fabric production
- Why no fabric is sustainable if we aren't respecting our resources
Ruth is an accomplished materials expert, entrepreneur, and innovator with more than 30 years of global success spanning brands, manufacturing, global supply chain, media, and higher education. Through her consulting and advisory work she supports businesses (ranging from start-ups to global brands) achieve their material goals, whilst pursuing her love of learning, research and connecting others.
She has experience with multiple products / fabric types, and living and traveling across the world has provided Ruth with an international network of connections. With practical in-depth knowledge of the fabric development, sourcing, validation, and production processes from fiber to garment, she makes ideas come alive.
Ruth has a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Textile Technology from the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology, UK, and holds her designation as an Associate of the Textile Institute (ATI).
Links mentioned in this episode:
Contact info:-
Emails : ruthkelly@weftxwarp.com and ruth@sseams.co
Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-kelly-weftxwarp/
Websites: www.weftxwarp.com www.sseams.co
Styling for Impact: Elevating Clothing Brand Photoshoots with Tamara Gaudin
My guest today is fashion stylist Tamara Gaudin. Tamara’s work as a stylist reaches from Paris to Mexico, New York City to LA, and Chicago to Dallas. As a personal stylist, Tamara caters to each client through each season, meeting their specific needs for fashion to match their lifestyle.
Tamara discusses what the role of a personal stylist is when it comes to working with clothing brands for a photoshoot. She explains why it's important for a stylist to understand a clothing brand's identity and target audience before a photoshoot.
She give tips about selecting the right pieces and accessories for the shoot and how she adjusts her styling approach for different types of clothing brands.
Lastly, she shares how to evaluate the success of a photoshoot in terms of the impact your styling choices had on the final images.
You can find out more about Tamara Gaudin on her website: https://www.tgstylist.com/ Her Instagram is instagram.com/tamaragaudinstylist
Discover your fashion entrepreneur archetype. Take the quiz: https://glynistao.com/quiz/
5 Ways to Build an Email List for Your Fashion Brand
Today, we're diving into a crucial aspect of marketing for your fashion brand - building an email list. If you've been wondering how to get started, you're in the right place!
Benefits of Having an Email List. Recap of the 9 benefits discussed in Episode 21.
- Direct Line of Communication
- Building Brand Loyalty and Trust
- Driving Repeat Business and Customer Retention
- High Conversion Rates and ROI
- Data-driven Insights and Market Research
- Less Reliance on External Platforms
- Personalized Marketing Campaigns
- Promoting New Product Launches and Exclusive Offers
- Adapting to Evolving Marketing Trends
Tip #1: Offer an Incentive - Craft Compelling Lead Magnets
- Introduction to Lead Magnets
- Examples: Exclusive Discounts, Style Guides, Early Access to preview new collections
- Emphasis on providing genuine value aligned with brand identity
Choosing the Right Email Service Provider
- Importance of selecting the right provider for email marketing campaigns.
- Factors to consider: ease of use, integration, design options, automation capabilities, pricing.
Tip #2: Implementing Engaging Pop-Ups and Sign-Up Forms
- How strategically placed pop-ups and forms increase subscribers
- Importance of offering an irresistible incentive for sign-ups
Tip #3: Leveraging Social Media for List Growth
- The influence of social media on online shoppers
- Strategies: Posting engaging content, running contests, collaborations, clear calls-to-action
Tip #4: Hosting Exclusive Events
- The impact of in-person events on brand visibility and list building
- Promoting events through platforms like Eventbrite or Facebook
- Incentivizing sign-ups with special offers or discounts
Tip #5: Personalizing Email Campaigns for Maximum Impact
- Importance of leveraging the email list effectively
- The power of segmentation in resonating with different audience segments
- Crafting personalized offers for increased conversion rates
- Making tailored product recommendations for enhanced customer satisfaction
Conclusion
- Recap of the 5 powerful strategies to build an email list for your fashion brand
- Emphasis on consistency and quality in providing value to the audience
Thank you for joining us on this episode! If you found this information valuable, don't forget to subscribe and share with fellow fashion entrepreneurs. Connect with us on our website www.glynistao.com or social media channels @glynistao. Until next time, keep innovating and elevating your brand!
Countdown to Black Friday: Best Tips to Drive Holiday Success
In this episode, we're gearing up for the biggest shopping event of the year: Black Friday. Join your host, Glynis as we dive into the essential steps and strategies to ensure your fashion business not only survives but thrives during this shopping extravaganza. From defining your product offers to planning your promotional strategy and optimizing your technology, we've got you covered. Plus, stay tuned for bonus tips to give your e-commerce marketing an extra boost this holiday season.
3 Steps to Prepare for Black Friday
- Define your product offers
- Identify and plan your promotional strategy
- Optimize your technology
Define your Product Offers
- Use data-driven insights like analytics, surveys, and competitive analysis to pinpoint the products that will drive the most success
- Consider discounting higher margin products and exploring upselling or downselling opportunities
- Ensure your inventory can handle increased orders, and plan for efficient order management and fulfillment
Define and Plan Your Promotional Strategy
- Leverage influencers for sneak peeks and new product launches to create buzz and anticipation
- Create urgency to encourage immediate action when the promotion starts
- Choose the most effective promotional channels, whether it's email marketing, social media, or other avenues
- Enhance your brand's visibility with supplementary content like blogs and videos
5 keys for a great product promotion
- Defining your timeline
- Prepare your audience
- Create urgency
- Choose your medium
- Creating supplementary content
Optimize Your Technology
- Checking website UX for conversion blockers
- Implementing SEO for easy discoverability
- Reviewing ad accounts for optimal performance
- Tracking orders, sales, and shipments with analytics
Bonus Tips for E-Commerce Success
- Display "order-by" dates to guide customers on when to make a purchase for timely holiday delivery
- Utilize countdown timers on your website and in emails to build anticipation and create a sense of urgency
- Maintain consistent messaging and branding across all platforms to reinforce your offer's value
- Offer multiple online payment options for customer convenience
- Ensure clear visibility of return policy
- Prioritize accessible customer support
- Address design issues for a seamless user experience
Thank you for joining us for another episode of Chase Your Dreams Podcast. We hope you found these tips valuable in preparing your fashion business for a successful Black Friday. Remember to share in the comments which strategies you plan to implement. Stay tuned for more insightful episodes, and here's to making this Black Friday a monumental success!
The Benefits of an Email List for Your Fashion E-commerce Brand
In today's episode, we'll be diving into a crucial aspect of online marketing – building an email list for your fashion e-commerce brand. So, whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your existing business, this episode is packed with valuable tips to help you succeed.
Here are 9 benefits to having an email list:
1. Building a Direct Line of Communication
- Unlike social media, emails land directly in your subscribers' inboxes, ensuring your message gets through. This direct connection fosters a stronger bond with your audience.
2. Building Brand Loyalty and Trust
- Consistent, valuable content builds trust and loyalty over time. Trust leads to repeat purchases and enthusiastic brand advocates.
3. Driving Repeat Business and Customer Retention
- Keep subscribers in the loop about new collections and offers to encourage regular visits. Re-engage past customers with enticing incentives.
4. High Conversion Rates and ROI
- Email marketing boasts impressive conversion rates and ROI. Engaged subscribers are more likely to become paying customers.
5. Data-driven Insights and Market Research
- Your email list offers invaluable insights into customer behavior. Analyze metrics for informed decisions and better results.
6. Less Reliance on External Platforms
- Reduce dependence on unpredictable platforms by owning your communication channels.
7. Personalized Marketing Campaigns
- Segment your list for targeted content. Personalization elevates the customer experience and drives conversions.
8. Promoting New Product Launches and Exclusive Offers
- Make subscribers feel special with exclusive access to product launches and deals.
9. Adapting to Evolving Marketing Trends
- Email marketing remains adaptable. Utilize automation, segmentation, and responsive design to stay current.
Conclusion:
- Building an email list is a cornerstone of your fashion e-commerce brand's marketing strategy. Join us in the next episode, where we'll dive into strategies for attracting subscribers. See you there!
5 Ways to Grow Your Fashion E-commerce Store
In this episode, we'll be discussing five essential strategies to boost your fashion e-commerce store's growth and success. From optimizing your website to analyzing sales data, these actionable tips will help you elevate your online presence and increase sales.
1. Optimize Your Website
- Ensure user-friendliness, easy navigation, and SEO optimization.
- Use high-quality images and detailed product descriptions.
- Verify mobile-friendliness and speed using Google's tools.
Why it matters:
Optimizing your website boosts visibility on search engine results, driving more traffic and potential sales. It also builds trust and credibility with customers.
2. Offer Promotions and Incentives
- Discounts, free shipping, loyalty programs, referral rewards, and seasonal promotions.
- Promote special offers on social media platforms for wider reach.
Why it matters:
Promotions and incentives attract new customers and retain existing ones. They create a sense of value and encourage purchases.
3. Utilize Email Marketing
- Build and maintain an email list for direct, personalized communication.
- Deliver tailored messages, updates, and promotions to foster customer loyalty and trust.
Why it matters:
Email marketing establishes a strong, ongoing connection with your audience, leading to repeat purchases and brand advocacy.
4. Focus on Customer Service
- Provide excellent service, respond promptly to inquiries, and resolve issues efficiently.
- Consider implementing a chatbot for seamless and convenient shopping experiences.
Why it matters:
Outstanding customer service encourages repeat business, positive reviews, and enhances the overall shopping experience.
5. Analyzing and Interpreting Sales Data
- Collect and organize sales data.
- Identify key metrics (e.g., revenue, conversion rate, customer demographics).
- Analyze trends and patterns in the data.
- Interpret findings to make informed decisions.
- Take action based on insights gained.
Why it matters:
Analyzing sales data helps you make data-driven decisions to improve your e-commerce business continuously.
By implementing these five strategies will help you elevate your fashion e-commerce store's performance and drive growth. Remember, success in e-commerce is an ongoing journey of refinement and adaptation.
Thank you for tuning in to today's episode on 5 Ways to Grow Your Fashion E-Commerce Store. If you found this information valuable, please consider subscribing and leaving a review. Stay tuned for more tips and insights to help you succeed in the world of online fashion retail.
We Need To Get Real. An Interview with Fashion Designer Stella Carakasi
Stella Carakasi has been a fashion disruptor since 1993 when she launched the first, highly controversial hemp clothing collection in the United States. Her work continued to raise the eco-fashion bar and helped moving the emerging green revolution forward.
In this episode, Stella takes us through her journey of building several successful fashion companies and some of the difficult decisions she's had to make as a business owner.
This conversation is a powerful, truth telling and insightful look into the fashion industry as Stella shares a very important message to her audience as well as to young and emerging designers. This is unfiltered real talk that covers areas such as:
- why she took the gamble and left wholesale behind
- why it's the brands' responsibility to work towards sustainability, but don't lead with it
- why business is not for the faint of heart
- why it's important to start with your values
- why you need to know your customer
You can find out more about Stella Carakasi on her website: www.stellacarakasi.com Her Instagram is instagram.com/stellacarakasi/ and her Facebook page is facebook.com/carakasi/
You can reach Stella by email at stella@stellacarakasi.com
How to Market Your Brand During the 2nd Wave
Here we are, Vancouver, in the 2nd wave. While most businesses are used to ramping up with seasonal promos and lots of consumer spending this time of year, everything is up in the air during a global pandemic. The first wave of the pandemic surprised everyone.
It feels like we just got back on our feet and here we are in the 2nd wave.
Normally around this time of year you would be deep into making and leveraging holiday marketing strategies and plans.
But how do you plan when you have zero control over what happens?
In today’s episode I have put together 6 tips that can help you and your business adapt to whatever this pandemic brings.
Here are the links to the online marketplaces I talk about in the podcast:
Farfetch (B2C) https://www.farfetch.com/ca/
ASOS (B2C) https://marketplace.asos.com/
JOOR (B2B) https://joor.com/
NuOrder (B2B) https://nu.nuorder.com/index.html
Currently I have a 4-part SEO training video series you can register for at no charge. Click on the link to learn more https://info.glynistao.com/SEO-training-series
Do you need help with your business strategy? I offer business consulting for fashion entrepreneurs who are ready to pursue their passion and make a living doing what they love. I’m currently taking new clients, use https://calendly.com/glynistao/book-a-call to book a call with me.
How to Stay True to Who You Are. An Interview with Fashion Designer Ryan Amore
My guest today is Vancouver-based celebrity fashion designer Ryan Amore. He specializes in women’s evening wear, occasion wear, athletic wear and high fashion. He’s worked with high end clients such as Christian Dior & Zac Posen.
In this episode, Ryan talks about how he got his start in the fashion industry. How he developed his strong technical skills through various job experiences he’s had and then uses those skills to run his own design studio.
He takes us through the process of garment development from sketch to final product.
He explains how clothing companies are adapting to the pandemic. He answers the questions, what trends will come out of this pandemic? And should you be starting something new right now?
He talks about how he navigates through different work environments. He gives advice on how to stay grounded and true to yourself in an industry that’s very image focused, and not to lose your identity when you’re working for an employer or client.
You can see more of Ryan’s work at ryanamoredesign.com
How To Use SEO For Your Clothing Brand [Part 2]
This is Part 2 to 'How to use SEO for your clothing brand.' If you haven’t had a chance to listen to Part 1, I recommend you do that first.
Today I’m going over the top 10 SEO ranking factors. You can use this handy checklist of essential ranking factors to perform SEO on your website. Go to https://info.glynistao.com/SEO-checklist to download a copy of the SEO Ranking Factors Checklist.
Currently I have a 4-part SEO training video series you can register for at no charge. Click on the link to learn more https://info.glynistao.com/SEO-training-series
I'm offering a complimentary website assessment which include a site audit and site load speed test. I will go over the report with you and give you recommendations how to improve your website's SEO. To take advantage of this offer, book your zoom call with me here: https://calendly.com/glynistao/book-a-call
You can find me on Instagram @glynistao and my website glynistao.com Please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams Podcast if you haven’t already. Thank you for tuning in!
How To Make Better Things In Better Ways with Glencora Twigg
Glencora talks about what it takes to make it in the fashion industry. She gives her advice to young designers starting out and why it’s important to do the ‘grunt work’.
As an OG of the Vancouver fashion scene, she cut her teeth working at her own retail store for 15 years. She also spent 10 years teaching at the local colleges where she shares her knowledge of what she knows to the new generation. If you are interested in a career in fashion, this episode is a must listen.
How To Use SEO For Your Clothing Brand [Part 1]
Is your website feeling a bit neglected?🤔 Are you hearing the term SEO being thrown around but not sure what that is, or where to begin? With most people working and staying at home, now’s the BEST time to increase your website’s visibility. If you’ve been putting it off, or don’t know how to increase the traffic to your website through organic search… then I recommend you listen to today’s podcast. In this episode I will cover: - What is SEO? - Why SEO is important for your clothing brand - How Google actually works
Currently I have a 4-part SEO training video series you can register for at no charge. Click on the link to learn more https://info.glynistao.com/SEO-training-series
I'm offering a complimentary website assessment which include a site audit and site load speed test. I will go over the report with you and give you recommendations how to improve your website's SEO. To take advantage of this offer, book your zoom call with me here: https://calendly.com/glynistao/book-a-call
How Things Have Gone Right: A Conversation with Stephanie Ostler
By the time she was 30 she had 3 successful retail locations including Granville Island, Main Street, and Fan Tan Alley in Victoria. Devil May Wear has been voted Vancouver’s Best Local Designer Clothing Store.
Stephanie gives her advice on how to weather the storm from her experience of being in business for 17 years.
She also gives her insight into:
What opportunities that can come out once we get over this pandemic, especially with commercial real estate.
Which style trends will emerge from the quarantine, also why she thinks there will be a style freeze.
Why its important to create an experience for the customers to differentiate yourself so that they can interact and connect with your brand.
You can learn more about Stephanie Ostler and her company here: www.devilmaywear.ca/
Interview with Daub + Design Creative Director Lexi Soukoreff
Today’s episode I’m interviewing the founder of Vancouver- based activewear brand Daub + Design.
Lexi Soukoreff talks about how covid-19 has affected her daily life and business. Despite the fact that the pandemic happened right before the start of a 6-week run of shows, she shares her story of how she pivoted her business to online.
She's switched to making non- medical grade face masks but there's a shortage of supplies to make them. She's figuring out things as she goes along, just like when she first started her business she's using the knowledge of what she's learned through the years to get through this challenging time.
You can learn more about Daub + Design here: https://daubanddesign.com/
Navigating The Fashion Industry During Turbulent Times with Adila Cokar
Adila is a media- acclaimed, award-winning serial entrepreneur and author of the recently released book “Source My Garment- The Insiders Guide to responsible offshore manufacturing. She’s also the Founder of The Good Tee, an apparel company which offers sustainable fashion basics that are fair trade certified and fully traceable from farm to the warehouse.
In this episode, Dee shares her story and lessons she’s learned through her entrepreneur journey. She talks about how this pandemic is affecting the factories and garment workers overseas.
She answers the questions, do you think this pandemic will force the industry to be more sustainable? And what are the misconceptions start ups have with the cost of manufacturing overseas?
Despite what’s going on in the world today, Dee is actively working on her business and maintains an optimistic mindset. It’s a very uplifting conversation which you don’t want to miss.
5 Creative Ways To Overcome Small Business Challenges
The following is a recording from my presentation at Apparel Camp conference in Vancouver. I will go over common challenges that most small businesses face. I will use actual examples of challenges I’ve faced running my business and how I dealt with them and give you some creative and practical solutions to use in your business.
You can find me on Instagram @glynistao and my website glynistao.com Please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams Podcast if you haven’t already. Thank you for tuning in!
The Entrepreneur Journey to Make It Happen with Jenna Herbut
Jenna Herbut is a serial entrepreneur, speaker and writer. She’s the founder of The Make it show, one of Canada’s largest craft shows which she’s been running for over a decade.
In this episode, she shares her story and how she got started on her entrepreneur journey. She offers insight to how Covid-19 has affected her life & business after being forced to cancel all her Make It shows this spring.
Despite this huge setback she’s shifted her focus to help her ‘Makies’ and other creatives weather the storm. She answers a very important question for people who’s wondering now “What the heck should I be doing?"
Through it all Jenna maintains a positive mindset. It’s a very uplifting conversation which you don’t want to miss.
She just set up a GoFundMe campaign to support Makies who were making products, and donating it to hospitals and charities.
Your donation will be given directly back to the Makies to help cover their manufacturing costs for making their products. This will allow them to continue to giveback to the community. Click here to make a donation: https://bit.ly/34MIZjO
You can find me on Instagram @glynistao and my website glynistao.com Please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams Podcast if you haven’t already. Thank you for tuning in!
The State of Fashion Coronavirus Update
In this episode I am presenting the information from the State of Fashion report put together by Business Of Fashion and McKinsey. The coronavirus has turned the fashion world upside down, leaving brands and executives scrambling to find answers to handle this crisis. Though the duration and ultimate severity of the pandemic remains unknown, it is apparent that the fashion industry is just at the beginning of its struggle. With new information being released on the effects of the virus and changes happening on a daily (even hourly basis) it's good for business owners to stay informed of what's currently happening and think about what they can do to protect their business during this time.
You can find me on Instagram @glynistao and my website glynistao.com Please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams Podcast if you haven’t already. Thank you for tuning in!
How to Find Small Run Clothing Manufacturers
Are you a fashion designer who has an amazing idea for a clothing line but not sure how to begin to get it made?
New designers often struggle to connect with the right factories to launch their businesses. They usually don’t have connections in the industry and lack practical experience of speaking to manufacturers.
This episode, is for emerging designers and new brands who are looking for factories to produce their clothing line.
Download your copy of The Clothing Brand Owner’s Checklist now!
You can find me on Instagram @glynistao and my website glynistao.com Please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams Podcast if you haven’t already. Thank you for tuning in!
How to Prepare for Trade Shows and Conventions
In this podcast I will provide 3 tips when deciding to do a trade show or convention based on my experience of exhibiting at over 100 shows. This episode was recorded at Hanauma Bay in Hawaii🏝
Just a heads up, there will be sounds of waves crashing, birds chirping and winds blowing during the podcast. If anything, you just may enjoy the soothing sounds of the ocean. Enjoy!
In this episode you will learn:
✔️The reasons why you want to do the trade show
✔️How to decide which trade shows to do
✔️How to prepare for the show
Download The Clothing Brand Owner’s Checklist now!
The Power of Niching
Do you want to learn how to target your best customers without coming across as salesy and pushy?
Do you need clarity around what specific product best represents what you actually sell?
Well, then you’ve come to the right place. In this episode you will learn:
1. What is niching and why you’re insane if you don’t niche
2. Some myths on niching and why niche-phobia is a common problem of start-ups
3. How to pick your niche
Head on over to my Youtube channel for additional training and planning tools.
What I Learned After Running a Clothing Business for 10 years
Do you love what you do? Do you want to build a successful clothing business that lasts?
In this episode I share the lessons I learned from running my clothing design company for 10 years.
Here’s some of the things I will be talking about:
-My story of how I got started
-How I built my business from startup to generate 6 figure sales in the 2nd year of business
-How I got Google as a client (they called me!)
-Some of the challenges I faced and how I persevered despite set backs
-How I achieved business longevity
Download The Clothing Brand Owner’s Checklist now!
You can find me on Instagram @glynistao and my website glynistao.com Please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams Podcast if you haven’t already. Thank you for tuning in!
Budgeting and Financing Tips for your Fashion Business
Today we’re talking about Cash Flow, Budgeting and Financing for your clothing business.
Here’s what we will cover in this episode:
1. How to manage your cash flow
2. How to make a budget
3. Ways you can seek financing for your business
Download The Clothing Brand Owner’s Checklist now!
You can find me on Instagram @glynistao and my website glynistao.com Please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams Podcast if you haven’t already. Thank you for tuning in!
Time Management Strategies for Busy Fashion Entrepreneurs
Get the exact planning tools from my days working at various apparel corporations that I used to effectively run my clothing company for 10 years.
Gain instant access to:
- The Time Management Matrix
- Your Big Picture Plan
- The Entrepreneur Success Calendar
- Product Development Timeline
- Line Planning Spreadsheet
- Production Tracking Grid
- Product Buying Calendar
And receive these training videos:
- Lesson 1: Time Management Matrix
- Lesson 2: Big Picture Plan & Sprints
- Lesson 3: Why Calendars are your BFF
Download The Ultimate Time Management Toolkit now!
You can find me on Instagram @glynistao and my website glynistao.com Please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams Podcast if you haven’t already. Thank you for tuning in!
How to Validate your Business Idea
Can you answer these questions?
1. I know exactly who my ideal client is, what their needs are and how to serve them best.
2. I am clear on what I sell to my clients, including any products or services that I offer.
3. I have conducted thorough market research to validate my business idea.
If you can’t answer these questions, then check out this episode.
Download your copy of The Clothing Brand Owner’s Checklist now!
You can find me on Instagram @glynistao and my website glynistao.com Please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams Podcast if you haven’t already. Thank you for tuning in!