Launch your sustainable & ethical fashion brand.
Subscribe for free fashion startup advice, delivered weekly.


Factory45 is an online accelerator program for sustainable & ethical fashion brands.
Learn how to source fabric, set up manufacturing and raise money to launch your brand in six months — even if you don’t have a fashion background.
Learn how to source fabric, set up manufacturing and raise money to launch your brand in six months — even if you don’t have a fashion background.
Factory45 is now closed
and will re-open in May 2021!
Factory45 is now closed
and will re-open in May 2021!

OUR FOUNDER
Hi, I’m Shannon
I work with aspiring entrepreneurs all over the globe to launch sustainable & ethical fashion brands the right way, from the start.
Over the past 7+ years, I’ve mentored hundreds of people (just like you) who have an idea for a clothing brand but don’t have a fashion background or feel stuck at a dead-end.
Through Factory45, we work together to source fabric, set up manufacturing and raise money to launch your brand — without any fluff or “extra” (because I know you don’t have time for that).
This is not another online course, coaching service or digital product –
Factory45 is an immersive, personalized mentorship experience.
Watch the video to see what it’s like to launch your brand through Factory45 >>

Here’s How It Works
Factory45 is made up of five online modules, to take you from idea stage to pre-production to launch.
Your progress is self-paced so it's manageable whether you have a full-time job or you're building your company full time.
Module 1: Sourcing
Effectively research and source the fabric and materials you need to create your apparel product or clothing line.
- Connections to a database of hundreds of suppliers who sell sustainable fabrics and low minimums.
- Strategies to get a response from these suppliers, including exact scripts outlining what to say (and what not to say), so that you can build relationships and start confidently sourcing the materials you need.
- An in-depth understanding of sewn manufacturing, how it works, what you need to know to avoid mistakes and how to efficiently source materials for production.
- An overview of sustainability so you’ll have a clear understanding of what makes a fabric “eco-friendly” and whether it’s the right fit for your product.
- A materials inventory template so you’ll know the exact fabric and materials you’ll need to go into production.
- Training on how to create your sketches and a professional spec sheet — even if you can’t draw!
Module 2: Brand Identity
Identify who your ideal customer is, how to effectively communicate what you sell and learn proven strategies that will get a potential customer’s attention.
- An understanding of smart business principles that will keep you “lean” and out of debt.
- A complete brand strategy that speaks directly to your target market and represents the visual identity of your company.
- A pre-launch strategy that generates customer leads to create ‘early adopters’ of your product.
- Implementation of the #1 most effective marketing tactic for an e-commerce product launch.
- A “traffic engine” that will turn interested customers into repeat customers over time.
Module 3: Pre-Production
Connect with top industry designers, samplemakers, patternmakers and production partners that will help you turn your ideas into prototypes and patterns.
- Connections to dozens of vetted pattern/samplemakers who will work with you to create a “production-ready” pattern and prototype.
- Guidance and resources for navigating the sewn manufacturing industry as an outsider.
- Connections to production partners who will happily work with low minimums and pay a fair and living wage to their workers.
- A cost and budget analysis so you’ll know how much capital you’ll need to go into production.
- A database of resources for sustainable packaging, hangtags and labels.
Module 4: Ecommerce Marketing
Ensure that you’ll have buzz around your product launch. You can’t launch to crickets, so you need to learn how to build an audience before you start selling.
- A tried-and-true content marketing strategy that attracts CUSTOMERS.
- A media strategy for reaching out to press outlets so you can launch your product with buzz.
- New social media tactics to connect with your target market and turn them into “early adopters.”
- Implementation of my top 10 proven launch strategies and how to leverage them for your product.
- The marketing strategies you should actually focus on, so you don’t waste time and energy on what doesn’t work.
Module 5: Preparing for Launch
Test your product at market through crowdfunding and pre-sales. See first-hand how your target market responds to your product and if it makes financial sense to begin manufacturing.
- A complete plan-of-attack for launching a successful crowdfunding campaign that will fund your first production run.
- Direction in creating your video, profile page, rewards system, campaign timeline, and goal amount.
- The insider secrets to creating a fully-funded crowdfunding campaign that most people don’t know.
- Connections to a database of media and press contacts who love covering new products and stories of entrepreneurs.
- An exit plan for going into production without the headache, hassle or stress of not knowing what to do next.
1 | Sourcing
Module 1: Sourcing
Effectively research and source the fabric and materials you need to create your apparel product or clothing line.
- Connections to a database of hundreds of suppliers who sell sustainable fabrics and low minimums.
- Strategies to get a response from these suppliers, including exact scripts outlining what to say (and what not to say), so that you can build relationships and start confidently sourcing the materials you need.
- An in-depth understanding of sewn manufacturing, how it works, what you need to know to avoid mistakes and how to efficiently source materials for production.
- An overview of sustainability so you’ll have a clear understanding of what makes a fabric “eco-friendly” and whether it’s the right fit for your product.
- A materials inventory template so you’ll know the exact fabric and materials you’ll need to go into production.
- Training on how to create your sketches and a professional spec sheet — even if you can’t draw!
2 | Brand Identity
Module 2: Brand Identity
Identify who your ideal customer is, how to effectively communicate what you sell and learn proven strategies that will get a potential customer’s attention.
- An understanding of smart business principles that will keep you “lean” and out of debt.
- A complete brand strategy that speaks directly to your target market and represents the visual identity of your company.
- A pre-launch strategy that generates customer leads to create ‘early adopters’ of your product.
- Implementation of the #1 most effective marketing tactic for an e-commerce product launch.
- A “traffic engine” that will turn interested customers into repeat customers over time.
3 | Pre-Production
Module 3: Pre-Production
Connect with top industry designers, samplemakers, patternmakers and production partners that will help you turn your ideas into prototypes and patterns.
- Connections to dozens of vetted pattern/samplemakers who will work with you to create a “production-ready” pattern and prototype.
- Guidance and resources for navigating the sewn manufacturing industry as an outsider.
- Connections to production partners who will happily work with low minimums and pay a fair and living wage to their workers.
- A cost and budget analysis so you’ll know how much capital you’ll need to go into production.
- A database of resources for sustainable packaging, hangtags and labels.
4 | Ecommerce Marketing
Module 4: Ecommerce Marketing
Ensure that you’ll have buzz around your product launch. You can’t launch to crickets, so you need to learn how to build an audience before you start selling.
- A tried-and-true content marketing strategy that attracts CUSTOMERS.
- A media strategy for reaching out to press outlets so you can launch your product with buzz.
- New social media tactics to connect with your target market and turn them into “early adopters.”
- Implementation of my top 10 proven launch strategies and how to leverage them for your product.
- The marketing strategies you should actually focus on, so you don’t waste time and energy on what doesn’t work.
5 | Preparing for Launch
Module 5: Preparing for Launch
Test your product at market through crowdfunding and pre-sales. See first-hand how your target market responds to your product and if it makes financial sense to begin manufacturing.
- A complete plan-of-attack for launching a successful crowdfunding campaign that will fund your first production run.
- Direction in creating your video, profile page, rewards system, campaign timeline, and goal amount.
- The insider secrets to creating a fully-funded crowdfunding campaign that most people don’t know.
- Connections to a database of media and press contacts who love covering new products and stories of entrepreneurs.
- An exit plan for going into production without the headache, hassle or stress of not knowing what to do next.
The Investment
$499/month
Introducing Our 2020 Mentors
Get the chance to work with one of our Alumni Mentors!
All Factory45 students are matched with one of our graduates to get behind-the-scenes access and small-group support in building and growing a sustainable fashion brand.

Poppy Row

Reprise Activewear

925 Babe

Fair Seas Supply Co.

Regenerous Designs

Santos Swim

Harly Jae

Opaline Hue

Novel Supply Co.
Applications to Factory45 are now closed and will reopen in May 2021.
Until then, subscribe for free weekly fashion startup advice.


THE SHOP
CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED?
TESTIMONIALS
Hear from
Factory45 Alumni

Kendall Wilson
Founder of Vesta
“With Factory45, I was thrilled that someone was essentially taking me by the hand and showing me what to do, and in what order to do things.
For the first time, I started to take action on my ideas and not just dream about them.”
Kendall Wilson, Founder of Vesta
Read her story >>

Cara Bartlett
Founder of VETTA
“If I had tried to launch my company on my own, I would still probably be in the research phase. But thanks to Shannon and Factory45…
I created a responsibly sourced women’s capsule collection and launched a successful Kickstarter campaign (raising almost $90K) in under six months.”
Cara Bartlett, Founder of VETTA
Read her story >>

Blakely Wickstrom
Founder of Galamaar
“Factory45 was the best step I could have taken while navigating early entrepreneurship.
Shannon has designed a clear and concise program that takes the guess work out of so many would-be time and money consuming aspects of starting a business.”
Blakely Wickstrom, Founder of Galamaar
Read her story >>

Kath Hartsell
Founder of Jai-Dee
“I consider Factory45 the backbone of our business. This highly organized yet malleable program has been central to the creation, launch and continued growth of Jai-Dee.
Shannon’s videos, interviews and exercises taught me how to carry forward my own strengths and experiences in adaptable ways while also learning and integrating new skills and navigating new environments.”
Kath Hartsell, Founder of Jai-Dee Dancewear
Read her story >>
Frequently Asked Questions
I only have an idea – do I need to be farther along?
No! The Factory45 program was created for people who only have an idea. You don’t need to have sketches or a business plan or fabric… all you need is an internet connection and a hefty dose of determination.
We truly start from scratch and if you only have an idea in your head right now, then that’s the perfect place to be!
Do I need to have a fashion background or already know how to make samples and patterns?
Nope! We leave that stuff to the experts. The purpose of Factory45 is to set you up with the people who are trained in sample-making, pattern-making and sewing, so you can focus on the business side of your brand. If you are still in the early stages of development, you will be connected with some of the best in the industry to complete these first steps.
How is Factory45 different from other fashion accelerators?
Most fashion programs don’t get into the details of business. They focus primarily on grading, flat sketching and other manual skills, but place little emphasis on how to market, brand and sell. What good is creating a product or collection if you don’t know how to get it in front of your customer and sell it? Factory45 is all about starting lean, testing the product at market, and going into production with money in the bank.
How is the program structured? Do I have to be anywhere in person?
The entire program is based online. With the help of an online portal that gives participants an individual log-in, we are able to create a virtual “classroom” for wherever you are in the world. You’ll have access to video lessons, to-do lists, action steps, checklists, exercises, contact databases and call recordings throughout each module.
Factory45 is backed by a
30 day money-back guarantee.
WHAT YOU GET
A personal consultant
& alumni mentor
Connections to fabric,
materials & manufacturing
A crystal clear
launch strategy
Strategies to raise money
for production
Weekly to-do lists
& action steps
A support network of
entrepreneurial peers
Connections across the
sustainable fashion industry
Lifetime access to the
program after it ends
An invitation to sell your
brand on Market45
Factory45 is backed by a 30 day money-back guarantee.
Here’s how it works: Participate in the first 30 days of the program. If you realize the course isn’t for you, then send me an email within 30 days of enrolling.
I’ll ask for your completed course work from the modules we’ve already finished (to make sure you gave it a shot) and once I review it, you’ll receive a complete refund.

The Guarantee
Factory45 is backed by a 30 day money-back guarantee.
Here’s how it works: Participate in the first 30 days of the program. If you realize the course isn’t for you, then send me an email within 30 days of enrolling.
I’ll ask for your completed course work from the modules we’ve already finished (to make sure you gave it a shot) and once I review it, you’ll receive a complete refund.
Applications to Factory45 are now closed and will reopen in May 2021.
Until then, subscribe for free weekly fashion startup advice.

Still have questions?
Read what graduates are saying about Factory45 here.
Get answers to some common questions in the FAQ here.
Send me an email me at shannon@factory45.co.

Still have questions?
Read what graduates are saying about Factory45 here.
Get answers to some common questions in the FAQ here.
Send me an email me at shannon@factory45.co.

THE BLOG
READY TO TAKE ACTION?

Factory45 is committed to building an equitable, anti-racist organization.
We operate to ensure that all people are given equal opportunity and support in their path to entrepreneurship. We have committed money and time to becoming educated on anti-racism, knowing that this education must be active and ongoing. We are committed to doing what it takes to create a more equitable world for Black Folx and People of Color, particularly in entrepreneurship and sustainable fashion.