You are in the idea-stage or early stages of starting a fashion, accessories or sewn goods brand
Launch your sustainable & ethical fashion brand with Factory45.
Subscribe for free fashion startup advice, delivered weekly.
Factory45 is the business school trusted by over 500 fashion entrepreneurs since 2014.
Learn how to source fabric, set up manufacturing and raise money to launch your brand — even if you don’t have a fashion background.
THE FOUNDER
Hi, I’m Shannon
I work with entrepreneurs all over the globe to launch sustainable & ethical fashion brands the right way, from the start.
Over the past decade, I’ve mentored hundreds of people (just like you) who have an idea for a clothing brand but aren’t sure where to start.
Through Factory45, we work together to source fabric, set up manufacturing and raise money to launch your brand — in the most time efficient and cost-effective way possible.
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 offers the most extensive and personalized support you can find in the fashion education space.
Think of it as: accelerator program + 1:1 support + mastermind + individual mentorship all wrapped up into one world-class training.
VIRTUAL CLASSROOM
With an online portal that acts as our virtual classroom, the program curriculum is made up of five online modules to take you from idea stage to launch.
LIFETIME ACCESS
The lifetime access to both our online portal and mentorship team ensures that the program is manageable whether you have a full-time job or you’re building your company full time.
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 by pre-selling. See first-hand how your target market responds to your product and raise money before creating inventory.
- A complete plan-of-attack for launching a successful pre-sales campaign that will fund your first production run.
- Creative direction for marketing videos, photography, campaign strategy and product pre-selling.
- PR strategy for effectively communicating your unique selling position so you tell a compelling story that gets re-told.
- An exit plan for going into production without the headache, hassle or stress of not knowing what to do next.
- A SUCCESSFUL BRAND LAUNCH!
6 | Bonus Live Classes
Bonus: 2x Weekly Live Classes
In addition to the program curriculum, we have two live classes per week that are run by our Alumni Mentors. For anything that isn’t covered in the portal, the live workshops fill in the gaps and offer “real time” advice, strategy and support. Examples of topics include:
- International Sourcing + Working with Artisans
- Building Size Inclusivity into Your Brand
- Preparing for Your First Tax Season
- Ways to Stay Updated with Sustainability in the Industry
- Dealing With & Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
- How to Balance Starting Your Brand While Working a Full-Time Job
- Trend Forecasting
- Traditional Manufacturing vs. Made-to-Order
- DIY Tricks for Getting Press
*All live classes are recorded for playback!
Is Factory45 right for you?
You are an ideal applicant if…
Is Factory45 right for you?
You are an ideal applicant if…
HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT
What’s the difference between Factory45 and hiring a consultant?
HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT
What’s the difference between Factory45 and hiring a consultant?
If you ever want to move your supply chain outside of the consultant’s network or referrals, you will be starting from scratch – without knowledge of how to do it yourself.
Most consultants charge a monthly retainer over $1,000/month.
You will need to hire them for each collection you develop without the skills to navigate the process on your own.
There are potential service fees every step of the process (i.e. sourcing, pre-production, production, etc.)
Their knowledge-base may not always be focused on sustainability and/or ethical production.
You will always be dependent on someone else’s opinions, industry knowledge and connections to advance your business.
You get access to a consultant (Shannon), included in the program.
You receive even more 1:1 support through an experienced Mentor, who has already launched their fashion brand through the Factory45 program.
You have lifetime access to referral databases of vetted suppliers, manufacturers & other partners, so you are in complete control of your supply chain.
You’re joining an engaged community of sustainable fashion entrepreneurs that you won’t find in a 1:1 consulting setting.
Your access never expires — you get all of these resources for the lifetime of the program.
When you are finally ready to outsource aspects of your business, you will have the knowledge and confidence of having already done it yourself.
If you ever want to move your supply chain outside of the consultant’s network or referrals, you will be starting from scratch – without knowledge of how to do it yourself.
Most consultants charge a monthly retainer over $1,000/month.
You will need to hire them for each collection you develop without the skills to navigate the process on your own.
There are potential service fees every step of the process (i.e. sourcing, pre-production, production, etc.)
Their knowledge-base may not always be focused on sustainability and/or ethical production.
You will always be dependent on someone else’s opinions, industry knowledge and connections to advance your business.
You get access to a consultant (Shannon), included in the program.
You receive even more 1:1 support through an experienced Mentor, who has already launched their fashion brand through the Factory45 program.
You have lifetime access to referral databases of vetted suppliers, manufacturers & other partners, so you are in complete control of your supply chain.
You’re joining an engaged community of sustainable fashion entrepreneurs that you won’t find in a 1:1 consulting setting.
Your access never expires — you get all of these resources for the lifetime of the program.
When you are finally ready to outsource aspects of your business, you will have the knowledge and confidence of having already done it yourself.
INVESTED IN YOUR SUCCESS
Designed to Support You with Personalized Mentorship
You will receive individual support from one of our graduates and get behind-the-scenes access in building and growing a sustainable fashion brand.
Alumni Mentor
On-Demand Text Messaging
Weekly Coworking
Weekly Workshops
Shannon’s Masterclass
Private Community
Introducing Our Mentors
LIZ RIDEN
Liz Frandsen
Mentor
Specializes in sourcing & organic growth.
LIYA Collective
Deanna Cook
Mentor
Specializes in global sourcing & small-batch production.
Paul Rameau
Stanley Rameau
Mentor
Specializes in PR, marketing & content creation.
Novel Supply Co.
Kaya Dorey
Mentor
Specializes in graphic design & grant applications.
harly jae
Laïla Potvin
Mentor
Specializes in social media & email marketing.
Vesta
Kendall Wilson
Mentor
Specializes in vegan textiles & on-demand manufacturing.
Santos Swim
Hannah McDermott
Mentor
Specializes in social media marketing & web design.
Indiana Fashion Foundation
Denisha Ferguson
Mentor
Specializes in creative launch strategies & writing proposals.
Thom Kelly
Megan Harrell
Mentor
Specializes in influencer marketing & production.
LOVANIE
Nics Asawasudsakorn
Mentor
Specializes in Shopify web design & petite sizing.
Tripulse
Franziska Mesche
Mentor
Specializes in crowdfunding & sustainable product development.
Applications to Factory45 are now closed!
Subscribe for free fashion startup advice, delivered weekly.
RESULTS
Hear from
Factory45 Alumni
RESULTS
Hear from
Factory45 Alumni
WOMENSWEAR
Meet VETTA: the Factory45 Alum that changed the capsule wardrobe game.
Joined Factory45: 2015
Launched: 2016
Amount raised: $88.9K
“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
SIZE-INCLUSIVE APPAREL
Meet Sotela: The size, race and gender-inclusive brand, disrupting fashion norms.
Joined Factory45: 2015
Launched: 2016
Amount raised: $20K
“I briefly googled ‘how to start a clothing line’ and got scared by how difficult it looked without the experience or capital.
If it weren’t for Factory45, I would have thought it was too hard and quit before starting.”
Hanna Baror-Padilla, Founder of Sotela
SWIMWEAR
Meet Galamaar: The Factory45 Alum listed as a ‘Label We Love’ by Madewell.
Joined Factory45: 2015
Launched: 2017
Featured in Vogue: 2018
“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
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 programs or fashion school?
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.
The Investment
MONTHLY
12 payments of
Factory45 is backed by a
10 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
Opportunity to be showcased
on the Factory45 Live Show
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 10 day money-back guarantee.
Here’s how it works: Participate in the first 10 days of the program. If you realize the program isn’t for you, then send me an email within 10 days of enrolling.
I’ll ask for your completed program 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 10 day money-back guarantee.
Here’s how it works: Participate in the first 10 days of the program. If you realize the program isn’t for you, then send me an email within 10 days of enrolling.
I’ll ask for your completed program 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!
Subscribe for free fashion startup advice, delivered weekly.
Still have questions?
Still have questions?
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 BIPOC entrepreneurs, particularly in sustainable fashion.
