Launch your sustainable & ethical fashion brand | Factory45

Launch your sustainable & ethical fashion brand.

Subscribe for free fashion startup advice, delivered weekly.

Launch your sustainable & ethical fashion brand.

Subscribe for free fashion startup advice, delivered weekly.

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designer cutting fabric in minimal workspace

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!

shannon lohr, founder of factory45
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).

I invite you to join me here.

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 >>

video thumbnail for mentorship experience video
woman using factory45 portal on ipad

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!

See what's included in Module 2 >>

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!

See what's included in Module 2 >>

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.

See what's included in Module 3 >>

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.

See what's included in Module 4 >>

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.

See what's included in Module 5 >>

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.

What Else is Included?

Alumni
Mentorship

Personal support
from Shannon

Lifetime access
to the program

An invitation to
sell on Market45

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.

Link to: Poppy Row
Crystal Cave
Poppy Row
Link to: Reprise Activewear
Mary Bemis
Reprise Activewear
Link to: 925 Babe
Candace Johnson
925 Babe
Link to: Fair Seas Supply Co.
Tiffany Shown Casey
Fair Seas Supply Co.
Link to: Regenerous Designs
Alyssa Bird
Regenerous Designs
Link to: Santos Swim
Hannah McDermott
Santos Swim
Link to: Harly Jae
Laïla Bédard-Potvin
Harly Jae
Link to: Opaline Hue
Maddi Neufeld
Opaline Hue
Link to: Novel Supply Co.
Kaya Dorey
Novel Supply Co.

Applications to Factory45 are now closed and will reopen in May 2021.

Until then, subscribe for free weekly fashion startup advice.

Subscribe
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TESTIMONIALS

Hear from
Factory45 Alumni

“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 >>

Read Our Alumni Stories

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.

Get More Answers Here

Factory45 is backed by a
30 day money-back guarantee.

See how it works
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

  • 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.

designer workspace with sewing tools

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.

Subscribe
designer entrepreneur workspace

Still have questions?

  • Read what graduates are saying about Factory45 here.

  • Get answers to some common questions in the FAQ here.

designer entrepreneur workspace

Still have questions?

  • Read what graduates are saying about Factory45 here.

  • Get answers to some common questions in the FAQ here.

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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.