Tag Archive for: accelerator program

Introducing Factory45 Live: The Live Show for Fashion Entrepreneurs

live show

Back in May, I hosted our first free 4-day LIVE workshop to help you start your sustainable fashion brand.

And to be honest, the response lit. me. up.

You all are creating some of the most thoughtful, innovative and problem-solving products to truly challenge the fashion industry’s status quo.

And I want to continue to help you.

Because the truth is: You don’t need to go to fashion school or get an MBA to start a fashion brand. You — as you are — can actually start a successful business from your home office or nearest coffee shop.

Every year, I see how possible that is through the brands that launch through Factory45.

So, how can we come together even more — not only to start your brand but to change the fashion industry for the better?

That’s why I’m here, that’s why I do what I do and that’s why I want to help you launch your brand the right way, from the start.

So, as a continuation to our free workshop event, I’m bringing you a new weekly opportunity called:

Factory45 Live: The Live Show for Fashion Entrepreneurs

Every Thursday at noon ET, you can join me (for free) as I teach via livestream to anyone, anywhere with an internet connection.

You’ll be able to learn from me virtually about fashion manufacturing, ecommerce marketing, raising money, fabric sourcing, building an audience and so much more.

Just like the workshop format, I’ll be livestreaming about one specific topic — no fluff, no off-topic Q+A, no bait and switch.

It will just be me giving you the best I’ve got for 20-30 minutes in one value-packed live show.

So, how do you watch? There are two options:

  1. Join our free Facebook group here. This is where the party’s at if you have questions, want feedback or are looking to engage with other fashion entrepreneurs.
  2. Watch on YouTube here. I know Facebook isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, so you can also watch the Live Show on YouTube. If you’re choosing this option make sure to go to my channel now and click Subscribe.

Before I go, here’s the last thing I’ll say: when it comes to any free resource, we often don’t make the time for it. It’s human nature to undervalue the things we don’t necessarily “earn.” 

With that said, put this on your calendar and schedule it! If you can make it live at noon ET every Thursday, then it’s always better to show up live… coordinate it with your lunch break!

If you can’t, though, then schedule a more convenient time to watch the replay and commit to it as if it’s live. That’s exactly what I do when I’m on the Pacific Coast and everything happens before my son if off to school : ) 

So, will I see you tomorrow? I really hope so — and I promise to make it worth your while.

 

 

/by

This Used to Hold Me Back — What About You?

I’ve been in your shoes before.

Ten years ago I wondered if it would be “worth it” to set out on my own, go against the status quo and start something that was no guarantee. 

The truth is, a lot of us lack that one thing that gives us the extra boost to go for it. 

And that thing is confidence. 

As much as we’d like to feel capable and worthy of pursuing the things we want in life, we lack the internal belief to do it.

We believe other people are smarter, more capable and more creative — and that they have this natural fire inside them that we don’t have.

Can I tell you a secret?

Everyone feels this way. 

Yes, even the people who seem to have it all together and exude confidence with every move they make.

The real difference in these people from everyone else is that they have the desire to move forward.

They aren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone.

And while stepping out of your comfort zone is difficult, it’s truly the best way to build the confidence you lack.

Confidence comes from surrounding yourself with like-minded people in similar situations with similar goals.

Confidence comes from learning from other people who have already accomplished what you’re setting out to do. 

Why am I telling you this?

Because when you join Factory45 you’re not just starting a clothing or accessories brand.

You’re joining a community of like-minded people who share your goals and aspirations.

People who are curious, who prefer to ask questions and learn from others instead of following the same path leading nowhere.

And do you know what that does?

Besides helping you build your business with nuts and bolts information and skills…

It builds confidence and teaches you that anything is possible with the right mindset, the right support network, and someone to guide you through the process.

I created Factory45 to take you from the idea stage to pre-production to launch.

Along the way, you’ll gain the confidence that you need.

If you’re ready to join me and the hundreds of other entrepreneurs who have graduated from Factory45, then click the link below to submit your application.

Get started on your application here.

The application takes 5-10 minutes to complete and it will give you the chance to get on the phone with of our Mentors for an interview. 

I hope you’ll join me.

/by

[REPLAY] Start Your Sustainable Fashion Brand Workshop

Here’s a double-edged sword for you…

Last week, someone told me that she learned more in our free 4-day workshop than she had in six months paying a fashion consultant thousands of dollars.

And while I’m thrilled that she learned so much, it’s unfortunate that this was her consulting experience.

Because here’s the truth: There’s a lot of this happening on the internet right now.

A lot of noise, a lot of people calling themselves experts, a lot of sales pitches… and it’s so hard to know who to trust.

Do you take the self-study course and hope it’s enough to get you through to launch?

Do you pay the extra money for the 1-on-1 consultant and hope they give you the right advice?

Or do you block it all out and decide you’re going to do it all on your own?

Factory45 is the alternative option to all of that.

And the great news is, you don’t have to take my word for it.

Here’s my suggestion:

The full replay of our four-day workshop to Start Your Sustainable Fashion Brand is available to watch HERE.

There’s no commitment and no pressure.

Instead, it’s an opportunity to see for yourself if you align with my teaching style, my strategies and my launch method.

By the end of the Workshop, if you’re intrigued by the idea of Factory45, then you can read all about how the program works here.

Enrollment to Factory45 is open right now and by filling out an application, you’ll get the chance to talk 1-on-1 with an Alumni Mentor about whether we’re the right fit.

The choice is in your hands. You decide. And if any questions come up about anything, I’m just an email away.

WATCH THE WORKSHOP REPLAY HERE >> ( the video links will expire)

I hope to hear from you soon,

 

factory45

/by

Applications to Factory45 are open!

applications

Enrollment is now open for the 2021 program of Factory45!

You can apply to join me here.

Over the past eight years, Factory45 has helped aspiring entrepreneurs all over the world launch sustainable & ethical fashion brands the right way, from the start.

I’ve mentored hundreds of people (just like you) who have an idea for a clothing or accessories 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, overwhelm or “extra” (because I know you don’t have time for that).

I invite you to join me here.

If you’re new to the program and what it’s all about, click the play button below to see what it’s like to launch your brand through Factory45.

Get inspired and get ready.

If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own sustainable fashion brand and haven’t known where to start, Factory45 is here to guide you.

Apply to join me here.

 

 

P.S. If there’s someone in your life who has been talking about starting a clothing or accessories business please share Factory45 with them.

Entrepreneurship was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I hope that everyone (who wants to) gets the chance to start their own business.

/by

Introducing the 2021 Factory45 Alumni Mentors!

Alumni Mentors

Have I ever told you the story of my major career turning point?

I was starting my sustainable fashion brand back in 2010 and my then co-founder and I were making very little progress.

We were building an audience, blogging and growing our email list but we could not, for the life of us, find a manufacturer willing to work with a startup.

It took us a year and a half to find the right factory partner and do you know how it finally happened?

We connected with a more established apparel startup that was willing to take us under their wing.

They introduced us to our fabric supplier, our factory partner and they showed us the ropes inside the manufacturing industry.

That was the turning point. Mentorship.

There is not a single thing (that I can think of) when starting a fashion brand that is more valuable than the guidance of someone who has done it before.

And that’s why I introduced Alumni Mentorship to the Factory45 program last year.

The majority of the feedback I received was, “Being matched up with a Mentor was worth the price of Factory45 alone.”

So, we’re bringing the Alumni Mentors back again this year — in even bigger and better ways. 

And today, I’m introducing the 10 Mentors for 2021 below and over on Instagram here. They are:

  • Crystal Cave, founder of Poppy Row and our new Director of Mentorship
  • Mary Bemis, founder of Reprise Activewear
  • Deanna Cook, founder of LIYA
  • Kaya Dorey, founder of NOVEL SUPPLY CO.
  • Joelle Fontaine, founder of Kreyol
  • Hannah McDermott, founder of Santos Swim
  • Nicki Patel, founder of milo + nicki
  • Laila Potvin, founder of harly jae
  • Stanley Rameau, founder of Paul Rameau
  • Kendall Wilson, founder of Vesta

If you’re starting your sustainable fashion brand this year and want to connect with someone who is currently doing what you want to be doing, then reach out to anyone above via Instagram or Facebook DM. They’d love to chat with you and start answering your questions now : ) 

Next week I’ll fill you in on what else we have going on, but click the image below for a sneak peek!

Talk soon,

 

 

 

1 - EMAIL-CTA

/by

What is Factory45?

factory45 logo

Are you new to Factory45 and wondering what it’s all about? Keep reading for a quick recap of the resources available to you:

FACTORY45 // My online business school for fashion entrepreneurs is the signature offering of the Factory45 brand. This first-in-class mentorship experience takes entrepreneurs from idea stage to building and launch their sustainable and ethical fashion or accessories brands. You can sign up to the 2021 waiting list here.

factory45

THE FACTORY45 SHOP // While you’re waiting for Factory45 applications to open, I have other startup kits, resources and freebies available year-round through The Factory Shop. The shop includes The Fabric Sourcing Kit and The Manufacturing Kit so you can start building your brand now. For more-established businesses that are ready to crowdfund or pre-sell, The Crowdfunding Factory course is on major sale right now. Get started by choosing a digital product or freebie here.

factory45 shop

MARKET45 // Our ethical fashion marketplace showcases and sells some of the brands that have successfully launched through the Factory45 program. We’re always adding new Factory45 grads and we also offer a 10 percent discount for customers who shop through the marketplace. If you’re only interested in shopping ethical fashion, there is a separate Market45 email list that you can sign up for here.

market45

FACTORY45 TV & THE FACTORY FLOOR // You’ll find all of the 200+ free resources to start your sustainable fashion brand on my YouTube channel and blog. Whether you’re looking for manufacturing help, marketing tips or just a dose of encouragement, you can search by topic and go down the rabbit hole of all things “fashion business.” Start with my most popular video here.

factory45

THE CLEAN LIVING PODCAST // For those of you who are interested in eco-living beyond sustainable fashion, this is the show that helps busy women live more sustainably in the areas of home, food and beauty. I release mini-episodes, under 10 minutes, that provide a healthy dose of “real talk” with plenty of alternatives for better living. If you’re only interested in sustainable living, there’s a separate email list for the podcast that you can sign up to here.

clean living podcast

Nothing striking your fancy? No worries — just click the “Unsubscribe” button in your emails and we can still be friends on Instagram : ) 

On the other hand, if you’ve read through everything and are still excited to be part of the Factory45 community, then I am so thrilled to have you here. 

I don’t take for granted one minute of your attention, so thank you for being here.

We already have a lot in store for 2021, so I’ll keep you in the loop on everything as we kick off this new year.

Gratefully,

 

 

 

/by

We Can Do Hard Things

do hard things

The other night I was listening to a podcast with a neurologist who specializes in psychology.

She was talking about neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself with new neural pathways.

(Stick with me.)

She said that by the age of 25, your brain relies on so many existing connections that it’s hard to break free of them.

Which is why, for example, it’s so much harder to learn a new language after the age of 26.

But the neurologist explained that in some cases, the medical field is starting to see people in their sixties who have more neuroplasticity than people in their late twenties.

Why?

Because they’re willing to do hard things.

A wordsmith who practices Sudoku puzzles, a mathematician who writes a novel, a Japanese person who learns Danish, a person with dyslexia who practices crosswords.

She said that the level of challenge should leave you exhausted and completely spent. 

As I was listening to her speak, I started thinking about the Factory45 entrepreneurs I’m currently working with to launch their clothing brands.

Right now, they’re in the thick of it.

We are about halfway through the program and most of them are tackling new skills and challenges that they’ve never encountered before.

Tech issues, design challenges, writing, negotiating, creating and organizing… 

I hear from many of them about how much this process is pushing their comfort zone.

But as entrepreneurs, that is what we want.

Because we can do hard things.

We should do hard things.

And there’s the science to back it up.

So, here’s my message to you:

Whether you’re pulling your hair out on the first day of virtual learning with your kids —

Or building a website with no clue how to design or code  —

Or spending hours on your business idea so you can create another income for your family —

I’m here to tell you, you can do hard things.

We can all do hard things.

And our brains will be better for it.

 

 

 

YouTube CTA

/by

3 Things Every Sustainable Fashion Entrepreneur Needs to Know

fashion entrepreneur

Do you want to make the leap from the traditional fashion industry to the sustainable fashion industry?

Or maybe you want to start off as a sustainable brand from the get go.

Sustainable and ethical fashion is a constantly growing industry, especially as more consumers are becoming aware of how important it is to planet and people.

So, where do you start?

Today, I’m sharing the three most important aspects of a sustainable fashion brand and what you need to make sure you know how to do.

 

 

If these three things are already top of mind for you and you’re ready to get started, then applications to Factory45 are now open HERE!

To changing the fashion industry,

 

/by

Introducing Factory45 Alumni Mentors!

photo montage of factory45 alumni mentors

Every year that I launch Factory45, I spend a good portion of my energy thinking about this:

How can I make this year more impactful, more helpful, more supportive for the entrepreneurs that come through the program?

Because the truth is, if you’re not always striving to improve your business then you’ll start to lag behind.

So whether it’s filming new videos, updating the content, redesigning the Factory45 portal or providing more personal support, I’m constantly working throughout the year to make sure Factory45 maintains its uncompromising quality.

So, that begs the question,

What am I doing to enhance the Factory45 program this year?

…drumroll please… 

I’m so excited to announce that we’re adding:

Factory45 Alumni Mentors!

For the first time ever, every Factory45 entrepreneur will be matched up with a Factory45 graduate who is currently running her own sustainable fashion brand.

These nine hand-picked women will provide text messaging support, virtual coworking sessions and additional guidance for small groups of Factory45’ers who will work together throughout the program.

So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to the nine Alumni Mentors for the 2020 program! Click the play button below.

If you want to start creating your own sustainable fashion brand, and you’re looking for the behind-the-scenes guidance of someone actually doing it, then applications to Factory45 open in one week!

In the meantime, I’ll be on Instagram Live today at 1pm ET / 10am PT to share more details about the Alumni Mentorship program. 

Simply go to @factory45co today, anytime after 1pm ET / 10am PT, and you can watch me live (or watch a recording) to hear more about what’s in store for you and our Mentors.

I can’t wait for you to meet them!

 

 

 

P.S. Thank you to EditMate for putting together this fun video for us — I told the Mentors, I can’t stop smiling when I watch it : )

fabric sourcing

 

/by

Fabric Sourcing for Your Fashion Brand (in 5 Easy Steps!)

Do you know one of the most time-intensive parts of creating a fashion brand?

Fabric sourcing.

It can take months to find the perfect fabric for your product(s).

And that’s why fabric sourcing is the very first thing we tackle in the Factory45 accelerator program.

Because at the same time as you’re building your social media presence, growing your email list and creating an audience before you launch, you’re likely still looking for fabric.

And if you have no idea where to begin, where to look or how to start, then today’s video is for you.

I’m laying out the first five steps to effective fabric sourcing.

And I’m going to make sure you sound like a pro when you’re reaching out to fabric suppliers.

Enjoy,

 

 

 

/by