Source fabric. Find a manufacturer. Raise money to fund production.
Applications to Factory45 are now closed and will reopen
in 2019.
Until then, subscribe to receive free startup advice
every week.
Welcome to Factory45
If you have an idea for a clothing or accessories brand, then you’ve come to the right place.
Factory45 is an online accelerator program that takes sustainable fashion companies from idea to launch.
Whether you still can’t find fabric suppliers whose minimums you can afford or you’ve made a little traction but are stuck at a deadend, I know there is a way to start a sustainable and successful business with less frustration, less doubt and without wasting valuable time and money.
The brands I’ve worked with are proving it.
Over the past four years, Factory45 has helped entrepreneurs from all over the world learn how to successfully bring apparel products to market. I invite you to read more about who I am, how the program works and what Factory45 alumni have to say about their experience.
Applications to Factory45 are now closed and will reopen in 2019. Until then, subscribe to receive free startup advice every week.
Welcome to Factory45
If you have an idea for a clothing or accessories brand, then you’ve come to the right place.
Factory45 is an online accelerator program that takes sustainable fashion companies from idea to launch.
Whether you still can’t find fabric suppliers whose minimums you can afford or you’ve made a little traction but are stuck at a deadend, I know there is a way to start a sustainable and successful business with less frustration, less doubt and without wasting valuable time and money.
The brands I’ve worked with are proving it.
Over the past four years, Factory45 has helped entrepreneurs from all over the world learn how to successfully bring apparel products to market. I invite you to read more about who I am, how the program works and what Factory45 alumni have to say about their experience.
Applications to Factory45 are now closed and will reopen in 2019. Until then, subscribe to receive free startup advice every week.
In 2010, I was starting my own sustainable clothing company. My co-founder and I spent a year and a half trying to bring our product to market. I spent countless hours emailing and calling suppliers without making any traction because, the truth was, I didn’t know how to talk the talk or walk the walk.
As a newbie in the industry, I didn’t know the right language to use when contacting production partners, where to look for the fabric we needed, or how to be taken seriously by industry veterans.
What I did know was that I wanted to create a clothing company that was environmentally-conscious and helped create jobs. I wanted to help change the fashion industry with thoughtful design and ethical manufacturing.
After a year and a half of frustrating dead ends — and a sprinkle of small victories — my co-founder and I finally launched our company. Finding recycled and organic fabrics that fit our sustainability guidelines, and a sew shop in the U.S. willing to work with first-time entrepreneurs, we launched the highest-funded fashion project in Kickstarter history, raising enough money to quadruple our first production order.
Fast forward eight years and I’ve created the program I would have wanted when I was first starting out.
In 2010, I was starting my own sustainable clothing company. My co-founder and I spent a year and a half trying to bring our product to market. I spent countless hours emailing and calling suppliers without making any traction because, the truth was, I didn’t know how to talk the talk or walk the walk.
As a newbie in the industry, I didn’t know the right language to use when contacting production partners, where to look for the fabric we needed, or how to be taken seriously by industry veterans.
What I did know was that I wanted to create a clothing company that was environmentally-conscious and helped create jobs. I wanted to help change the fashion industry with thoughtful design and ethical manufacturing.
After a year and a half of frustrating dead ends — and a sprinkle of small victories — my co-founder and I finally launched our company. Finding recycled and organic fabrics that fit our sustainability guidelines, and a sew shop in the U.S. willing to work with first-time entrepreneurs, we launched the highest-funded fashion project in Kickstarter history, raising enough money to quadruple our first production order.
Fast forward eight years and I’ve created the program I would have wanted when I was first starting out.
Take a Tour of Factory45
Factory45 is an online accelerator program that takes sustainable apparel companies from idea to launch.
The entrepreneurs who join Factory45 are given the resources and connections to source fabric, find a manufacturer and raise money to fund production in six months.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Factory45 is made up of five online modules released over four months, 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. To make sure you know exactly what you get, the Factory45 program is outlined below. You can also watch a video tour of it here.
Click on a module below to find out what’s included.
MODULE 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!
MODULE 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.
MODULE 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 dozens of production partners in the U.S. who will happily work with low minimums.
- 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
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
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 over a hundred 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.
PLUS…
The
Bonuses
Bonuses
Additional resources that are included in the program
- Daily Office Hours with Shannon
- Lifetime Alumni Access
- Live classes with industry experts
- Accountability Partnership
- Access to Factory45 alumni
- Personal Consulting for 6 Months
- Bi-Weekly Q+A Calls
- Two Implementation Months
Applications to Factory45 are now closed and will reopen in 2019.
Until then, subscribe to receive free startup advice every week.
Applications to Factory45 are now closed and will reopen in 2019.
Until then, subscribe to receive free startup advice every week.
Hear from Factory45 Alumni
“At the time I found Factory45, I was stuck and frustrated not knowing what to do next with my business. I felt like I got it as far as I could on my own. With Shannon’s help, resources, and support from the Factory45 community, I regained my purpose and motivation.”
ALYSSA BIRD
Founder of Regenerous Designs
“The cost of this program paid for itself in the first few weeks. The supplier and production partner lists alone are worth gold to me. I’ve been in the apparel industry for 10 years, and no one has ever shared this much info.”
SARAH ARMENDARIZ
Founder of Cosima
“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
Co-founder of VETTA
“The benefits to the Factory45 program and Shannon’s mentorship are countless. The program Shannon has created is the boiled-down version of her years of trial & error, hours spent in the fashion industry and entrepreneurship to give you the best, most streamlined and accelerated way to make your vision become a reality. ”
KATIE HALL
Founder of Wynn Ruby
“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 Gala Maar
“I’ve been live now for 3 weeks and I just hit $15K in revenue. I am so excited I just had to share, and more importantly say thank you. You and Factory45 gave me the community and the courage to remain committed to my values.”
SAMANTHA DUNN
Founder of Exactly This
“I would, without a doubt, still be stuck in that stage if not for joining Factory45. The program, along with Shannon’s incredible mentorship and the support of the group, has given me the confidence and the education I needed…”
KENDALL WILSON
Founder of Vesta
“Shannon has created a program that has proven to work time and time again. She guides you through each step of the process in a way that is easy to understand and she leaves no doubt about what actions you need take in order to succeed.”
MEGAN HARRELL
Co-founder of Thom Kelly
“Shannon, the Factory45 program, and my cohort, gave me the knowledge, organizational support, and encouragement that I needed to stay motivated and on track. It was absolutely the best business decision I made in starting my company.”
ASHLEY HETRICK
Founder of GTFO
READ MORE ALUMNI STORIES HERE
Hear from Factory45 Alumni
“At the time I found Factory45, I was stuck and frustrated not knowing what to do next with my business. I felt like I got it as far as I could on my own. With Shannon’s help, resources, and support from the Factory45 community, I regained my purpose and motivation.”
ALYSSA BIRD
Founder of Regenerous Designs
“The cost of this program paid for itself in the first few weeks. The supplier and production partner lists alone are worth gold to me. I’ve been in the apparel industry for 10 years, and no one has ever shared this much info.”
SARAH ARMENDARIZ
Founder of Cosima
“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
Co-founder of VETTA
“The benefits to the Factory45 program and Shannon’s mentorship are countless. The program Shannon has created is the boiled-down version of her years of trial & error, hours spent in the fashion industry and entrepreneurship to give you the best, most streamlined and accelerated way to make your vision become a reality. ”
KATIE HALL
Founder of Wynn Ruby
“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 Gala Maar
“I’ve been live now for 3 weeks and I just hit $15K in revenue. I am so excited I just had to share, and more importantly say thank you. You and Factory45 gave me the community and the courage to remain committed to my values.”
SAMANTHA DUNN
Founder of Exactly This
“I would, without a doubt, still be stuck in that stage if not for joining Factory45. The program, along with Shannon’s incredible mentorship and the support of the group, has given me the confidence and the education I needed…”
KENDALL WILSON
Founder of Vesta
“Shannon has created a program that has proven to work time and time again. She guides you through each step of the process in a way that is easy to understand and she leaves no doubt about what actions you need take in order to succeed.”
MEGAN HARRELL
Co-founder of Thom Kelly
“Shannon, the Factory45 program, and my cohort, gave me the knowledge, organizational support, and encouragement that I needed to stay motivated and on track. It was absolutely the best business decision I made in starting my company.”
ASHLEY HETRICK
Founder of GTFO
READ MORE ALUMNI STORIES HERE
FACTORY45 ALUMNI HAVE APPEARED IN
Find fabric suppliers who sell minimums that you can afford.
Create a prototype that is “production ready” for the sew shop.
Partner with a manufacturer that values ethics and pays its workers a living wage.
Create a budget, cost analysis and financial projections for your first production run.
Create a marketing strategy to
attract eager customers for your launch.
Raise money to fund production
without giving up equity or royalties*.
*You’ll also be able to make back what you invested in Factory45
FACTORY45 WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE…
How do I know if I can trust a supplier or manufacturer?
How do I know which fabric and materials I need and where do I find them?
How much should I really be paying my samplemaker?
How much money do I need to go into production?
How do I ensure that I have customers to sell to when I’m ready to launch?
How do I get my company noticed by the media & industry influencers?
FACTORY45 WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE…
How do I know if I can trust a supplier or manufacturer?
How do I know which fabric and materials I need and where do I find them?
How much should I really be paying my samplemaker?
How much money do I need to go into production?
How do I ensure that I have customers to sell to when I’m ready to launch?
How do I get my company noticed by the media & industry influencers?
The Investment
$500 USD per month for six months
- Five in-depth modules
- A support network of entrepreneurial peers
- Expert mentorship
- Connections across the sustainable fashion industry
- Lifetime access to the program after it ends
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, than send me an email within 30 days of enrolling.
I’ll ask for your completed course work from Module 1 and the first week of Module 2 (to make sure you gave it a shot) and once I review it, you’ll receive a complete refund.
DO YOU TAKE EQUITY?
No! Unlike conventional accelerator programs, you keep 100% ownership of your company. There are no other hidden costs or fees.
Applications to Factory45 are now
closed and will reopen in 2019.
Until then, subscribe to receive free startup advice every week.
The Investment
$500 USD per month for six months
- Five in-depth modules
- A support network of entrepreneurial peers
- Expert mentorship
- Connections across the sustainable fashion industry
- Lifetime access to the program after it ends
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, than send me an email within 30 days of enrolling.
I’ll ask for your completed course work from Module 1 and the first week of Module 2 (to make sure you gave it a shot) and once I review it, you’ll receive a complete refund.
DO YOU TAKE EQUITY?
No! Unlike conventional accelerator programs, you keep 100% ownership of your company. There are no other hidden costs or fees.
Applications to Factory45 are now closed and will reopen in 2019.
Until then, subscribe to receive free startup advice every week.