Shows / The Business of Apparel
The Business of Apparel
Go from overwhelmed apparel founder making costly trial-and-error decisions to a founder with the expert guidance, systems, and industry knowledge to scale profitably. Rachel Erickson brings her 20 years of expertise in the apparel manufacturing industry to The Business of Apparel podcast to inspire you to build your best brand yet. Each week, you'll hear from Rachel along with our industry experts who are shedding light on what is needed to build your own apparel line from scratch or to take…
Episodes
- The Business of Apparel
Firing Fast: Hard Truths Every Apparel Leader Needs to Hear
Firing Fast: Hard Truths Every Apparel Leader Needs to Hear Firing someone is never easy, but avoiding it can be even worse. In this raw episode of The…
- The Business of Apparel
Why You Need To Hire Before You're Ready: A CEO's Guide to Strategic Growth
Why You Need To Hire Before You're Ready: A CEO's Guide to Strategic Growth Don't wait until you're drowning to hire! In this episode of The Business of…
- The Business of Apparel
How to Run A Powerful Company Meeting That Aligns Your Team and Grows Your Business
How to Run A Powerful Company Meeting That Aligns Your Team and Grows Your Business Think your team knows where the business is headed? Think again, unless…
- The Business of Apparel
Celebrating Apparel Entrepreneurs Who Are Crushing It! 4 Inspiring Success Stories from The Board
Celebrating Apparel Entrepreneurs Who Are Crushing It! 4 Inspiring Success Stories from The Board What happens when you combine real-world industry expertise…
- The Business of Apparel
How to Create A Capsule Wardrobe Strategy: Save Time, Make Money & End Closet Stress
How to Create A Capsule Wardrobe Strategy: Save Time, Make Money & End Closet Stress In this week's episode of The Business of Apparel, Rachel is hitting pause…
- The Business of Apparel
5 Critical Mistakes Successful Fashion Brands Never Make (Do These Instead!)
5 Critical Mistakes Successful Fashion Brands Never Make (Do These Instead!) In this powerful episode of The Business of Apparel, Rachel is flipping the usual…
- The Business of Apparel
Losing Top Clients and Refocusing? Behind the Scenes of A Pivot in Business
Losing Top Clients and Refocusing? Behind the Scenes of A Pivot in Business In this behind-the-scenes episode of The Business of Apparel, Rachel is pulling…
- The Business of Apparel
Tariffs Are Crushing Apparel Margins: How to Survive & Thrive in 2025's Tough Economy
EP 125 - Tariffs Are Crushing Apparel Margins: How to Survive & Thrive in 2025's Tough Economy How will tariffs affect your apparel business? Are you prepared…
- The Business of Apparel
Double Your Apparel Brand's Revenue by Doing Half the Work | The Power of SKU Rationalization
Double Your Apparel Brand's Revenue by Doing Half the Work | The Power of SKU Rationalization Are you burning out your team and draining your profits by…
- The Business of Apparel
Unmarked Street vs. The Business of Apparel: What's the Difference? Behind the Scenes
Unmarked Street vs. The Business of Apparel: What's the Difference? Behind the Scenes Have you ever wondered what really separates Unmarked Street from The…
- The Business of Apparel
Christine Lindebak on Why You Should Start Your Apparel Brand Before You're Ready
Christine Lindebak on Why You Should Start Your Apparel Brand Before You're Ready Curious how a career in luxury fashion can evolve into a thriving sewing…
- The Business of Apparel
SKU Rationalization 101: Boost Profit & Cut Clutter in Your Apparel Line
SKU Rationalization 101: Boost Profit & Cut Clutter in Your Apparel Line Are you drowning in too many SKUs? In this episode, Rachel breaks down SKU…
- The Business of Apparel
Helping Independent Apparel Brands Avoid Costly Mistakes with Elizabeth Solomeina
Helping Independent Apparel Brands Avoid Costly Mistakes with Elizabeth Solomeina In this episode, Rachel welcomes Flying Solo co-founder, Elizabeth Solomeina…
- The Business of Apparel
Mary Coats On Sustainable Fashion, Finding Your Fit & Her Role At Unmarked Street
Mary Coats On Sustainable Fashion, Finding Your Fit & Her Role At Unmarked Street In this episode, Rachel connects with longtime friend and industry pro Mary…
- The Business of Apparel
How to Build a Line Sheet That Saves Your Apparel Brand Thousands | Full Tutorial + Free Template
How to Build a Line Sheet That Saves Your Apparel Brand Thousands | Full Tutorial + Free Template In this episode, Rachel is giving you a full tutorial on how…
- The Business of Apparel
The Biggest Contract Mistakes Apparel Founders Make (That Could Cost You Thousands)
The Biggest Contract Mistakes Apparel Founders Make (That Could Cost You Thousands) In this episode, Rachel shares a very personal story that highlights a…
- The Business of Apparel
Smart Product Naming Strategies to Elevate Your Apparel Brand
Smart Product Naming Strategies to Elevate Your Apparel Brand In this episode, Rachel is touching on the underestimated challenge of naming your apparel…
- The Business of Apparel
3 CEO Mistakes That Are Killing Apparel Brands (And How to Avoid Them)
3 CEO Mistakes That Are Killing Apparel Brands (And How to Avoid Them) In this episode, Rachel is going deep into the hidden challenges facing apparel brand…
- The Business of Apparel
The Truth About Apparel Manufacturer Sourcing & Factory Partnerships
The Truth About Apparel Manufacturer Sourcing & Factory Partnerships In this episode, Rachel breaks down everything you need to know about sourcing an apparel…
- The Business of Apparel
How to Use MOQs to Budget Smarter & Grow Your Apparel Brand
How to Use MOQs to Budget Smarter & Grow Your Apparel Brand In this episode, Rachel is addressing the subject of Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) and how they…
- The Business of Apparel
How to Start An Apparel Brand the Right Way
How to Start An Apparel Brand the Right Way In this episode, Rachel strips it all down and gets real about what it actually takes to start an apparel brand. If…
- The Business of Apparel
Are Patents Worth It? Deciding on Legal Protection for Your Brand with Tamany Vinson Bentz
Are Patents Worth It? Deciding on Legal Protection for Your Brand with Tamany Vinson Bentz In today's episode, Rachel sits down with legal expert, Tamany…
- The Business of Apparel
Behind the Scenes of a Fashion Photoshoot!
Behind the Scenes of a Fashion Photoshoot! In this episode, Rachel offers a backstage pass into the world of fashion photography, revealing the realities of…
- The Business of Apparel
Should You Start A Trend or Innovation-Based Apparel Business? How To Decide What Is Right For You
Should You Start A Trend or Innovation-Based Apparel Business? How To Decide What Is Right For You In today's episode, Rachel is comparing a trend vs…
- The Business of Apparel
Watch Your Business Thrive By Simplifying Your Product Offers
Watch Your Business Thrive By Simplifying Your Product Offers In today's episode, I'm teaching you about the one thing that will help your business thrive!…
- The Business of Apparel
Efficient PLM Solutions for Emerging Apparel Brands with OnBrand Founder, Preston Plowman
Efficient PLM Solutions for Emerging Apparel Brands with OnBrand Founder, Preston Plowman In today's episode, Rachel sits down with Preston Plowman, co-founder…
- The Business of Apparel
Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business Using These Budget Tools
Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business Using These Budget Tools In today's episode, Rachel is announcing brand-new budget tools to help you grow to a 7-figure…
- The Business of Apparel
Use These Tools to Build A Tech Pack in 2025 (The Great Tech Pack Debate)
Use These Tools to Build A Tech Pack in 2025 (The Great Tech Pack Debate) In this episode, Rachel turns to the Great Tech Pack Debate and clarifying what the…
- The Business of Apparel
Learn to Be A Successful Fashion Freelancer with Heidi Weinberg
Learn to Be A Successful Fashion Freelancer with Heidi Weinberg In today's episode, Rachel welcomes, by popular demand, successful fashion freelancer, Heidi…
- The Business of Apparel
How to Run Your Business Like An Elite Athlete
How to Run Your Business Like An Elite Athlete In this episode, Rachel is channeling her inner athlete as an entrepreneur? Yes, you read that right! Rachel…
- The Business of Apparel
Struggling In Your Business? This One is For You
Struggling In Your Business? This One is For You In this episode, Rachel is raw and real. The struggles of maintaining optimism amidst the pressures of…
- The Business of Apparel
Lessons in Teamwork and Leadership from 'Top Gun: Maverick'
Lessons in Teamwork and Leadership from 'Top Gun: Maverick' In this episode, Rachel has come up with a pretty cool parallel between the movie, Top Gun…
- The Business of Apparel
Celebrating Episode 100 with Rachel's Husband!
EP 100 - Celebrating Episode 100 with Rachel's Husband! In this episode, Rachel welcomes her husband to the podcast to help celebrate our 100th episode of the…
- The Business of Apparel
Generational Ideas on Success, How to Grow Your Salary
Generational Ideas on Success, How to Grow Your Salary In this episode, Rachel is approaching the viewpoints of what salaries each generation feels is…
- The Business of Apparel
3 of The Biggest Myths About The Fashion Industry
3 of The Biggest Myths About The Fashion Industry In this episode, Rachel is revealing the 3 biggest myths and misconceptions like starting a line with a lot…
- The Business of Apparel
Behind the Scenes of Podcasting
Behind the Scenes of Podcasting In this episode, Rachel is sharing her personal journey of starting this podcast in a way that suited her introverted nature…
- The Business of Apparel
Goal Setting 101: How to Set Goals for 2025
Goal Setting 101: How to Set Goals for 2025 Happy New Year! In this episode, Rachel is walking us through how to set goals for 2025, and even sharing a few of…
- The Business of Apparel
What to Expect in The Fashion Industry in 2025 (Happy Holidays)
What to Expect in The Fashion Industry in 2025 (Happy Holidays) Happy Holidays and welcome back! In this episode, Rachel is reflecting on personal traditions…
- The Business of Apparel
How Much You Really Need to Save to Start An Apparel Line
How Much You Really Need to Save to Start An Apparel Line In this episode, Rachel answers one of the most important questions you need to know the answer to…
- The Business of Apparel
New Potential Tariffs, How They Will Impact the Apparel Industry
EP 93 - New Potential Tariffs, How They Will Impact the Apparel Industry In this episode, Rachel is tackling a subject that's been on everyone's minds, tariffs…
- The Business of Apparel
Answering All of Your Apparel Sourcing Questions with Expert, Cheryl Tzeng
EP 92 - Answering All of Your Apparel Sourcing Questions with Expert, Cheryl Tzeng In this episode, I'm sitting down with Cheryl Tzeng from Short Street…
- The Business of Apparel
Thanksgiving Gratitude and Being Grateful For What's Next
Thanksgiving Gratitude and Being Grateful For What's Next Happy Thanksgiving! In today's episode, Rachel is giving thanks and reflecting on her daily practice…
- The Business of Apparel
Chasing Revenue vs. Chasing Consistency
Chasing Revenue vs. Chasing Consistency In this episode, Rachel is aiming to shift focus from immediate revenue to long-term stability through consistency and…
- The Business of Apparel
Behind the Scenes of Life As A Design Director with Megan Krajco
Behind the Scenes of Life As A Design Director with Megan Krajco In this episode, Rachel connects with Megan Krajco as she navigates her brand new role for…
- The Business of Apparel
California's New Legislation for Apparel Sustainability
California's New Legislation for Apparel Sustainability In this episode, Rachel is getting into the nitty gritty about California's new legislation coming into…
- The Business of Apparel
Embracing Empathy and Comfort Through the Apparel Business with Barely Canadian Founder, Kelly Slattery
Embracing Empathy and Comfort Through the Apparel Business with Barely Canadian Founder, Kelly Slattery In this episode, Rachel is chatting with Kelly…
- The Business of Apparel
Our Community Asked, We Have Answers! Unmarked Street Q&A with Rachel
Our Community Asked, We Have Answers! Unmarked Street Q&A with Rachel In this episode, Rachel addresses the questions asked by those in the Unmarked Street…
- The Business of Apparel
Finding the Real Treasures in the Struggles with Youer Founder, Mallory Ottariano
Finding the Real Treasures in the Struggles with Youer Founder, Mallory Ottariano In this episode, Rachel sits down for a fascinating conversation with Mallory…
- The Business of Apparel
Don't Make This Mistake! The Importance of Product Ownership
Don't Make This Mistake! The Importance of Product Ownership In this episode, Rachel is getting really passionate about the possibility of making one huge…
- The Business of Apparel
How An Unconventional Childhood Experience Shaped A True Fashion Visionary with Crystal Cave
How An Unconventional Childhood Experience Shaped A True Fashion Visionary with Crystal Cave In today's episode, Rachel has the pleasure of welcoming Crystal…
The Business of ApparelFashion Freelancer vs. High-End Consultant: How to Choose the Right Industry Professional For You
Fashion Freelancer vs. High-End Consultant: How to Choose the Right Industry Professional For You Welcome back to The Business of Apparel Podcast! In this…
The Business of ApparelJumping Into Size-Inclusive, Sustainable Fashion with Hayley Matthews-Jones
Jumping Into Size-Inclusive, Sustainable Fashion with Hayley Matthews-Jones In today's episode, we are back with a brand-new guest interview! This time, Rachel…
The Business of ApparelNew Rebrand Announcement + Exciting Updates for Unmarked Street!
New Rebrand Announcement + Exciting Updates for Unmarked Street! We are so excited!! In this episode, Rachel is announcing the new rebrand of The Business of…
The Business of Apparel40 to 40 Series, Week 6: Confirming and Questioning My Stance on Religion
40 to 40 Series, Week 6: Confirming and Questioning My Stance on Religion In this episode, Rachel is wrapping up the 40 to 40 series with the controversial…
The Business of Apparel40 to 40 Series, Week 5: My Gender Discrimination Story
40 to 40 Series, Week 5: My Gender Discrimination Story In this episode, Rachel is discussing another hard-hitting topic in the 40 to 40 Series, this…
The Business of Apparel40 to 40 Series, Week 4: Adrenaline Junkie!
40 to 40 Series, Week 4: Adrenaline Junkie! In this episode, Rachel is taking us along for the ride in the next part of the 40 to 40 Series! What happens when…
The Business of Apparel40 to 40 Series, Week 3: Our Childfree by Choice Story
40 to 40 Series, Week 3: Our Childfree by Choice Story In today's episode, Rachel is going a little deeper in the 40 to 40 Series and approaching the subject…
The Business of Apparel40 to 40 Series, Week 2: You Can Take the Girl Out of the Midwest, but You Can't Take the Midwest Out of the Girl
40 to 40 Series, Week 2: You Can Take the Girl Out of the Midwest, but You Can't Take the Midwest Out of the Girl In today's episode, Rachel is continuing the…
The Business of Apparel40 to 40 Series, Week 1: Confessions!
40 to 40 Series, Week 1: Confessions! In today's episode, Rachel is embarking on a special six-week "40 to 40 Countdown" series to celebrate her 40th birthday!…
The Business of ApparelOn the Move: Our Crazy Moving Stories from Over the Years, Part 2
On the Move: Our Crazy Moving Stories from Over the Years, Part 2 In today's episode, Rachel is continuing the journey with part 2 of the On the Move series…