The Business of Apparel

Rachel Erickson
The Business of Apparel

Rachel Erickson brings her 20 years of expertise in the apparel manufacturing industry to this show to inspire you to build your best brand yet. Each week, you’ll hear from Rachel along with other industry experts who are shedding light on what is needed to build your own apparel line from scratch or to take your existing apparel brand to the next level and create sustainable and unstoppable growth. Rachel’s big emphasis on proper techniques, sustainable practices and business clarity will be sure to help you create loyal customers who happily purchase from you again and again. Make sure you follow this podcast so you don’t miss a single episode if you’re running your own apparel business or looking to start!

  1. 6 FEB

    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: Maverick and Teamwork in the apparel industry. Just like Maverick and his team of elite pilots, success in this industry demands more than just technical skill—it calls for powerful collaboration and the ability to thrive under pressure. As I share stories from my experiences, I hope to inspire you to see how teamwork can elevate not just your career, but the entire creative process. Whether you're an assistant designer or a technical designer, your ability to engage and work effectively with others offers a unique edge in this industry. It's a space where resilience, self-motivation, and leadership are not just buzzwords but essential for success. I discuss the critical need to cultivate internal drive and the ability to lead amidst fierce competition.   In this episode, you’ll hear: -You can still be a leader even if you’re not in a leadership role yet. -How ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ is a great example of the process of teamwork. -The importance of communication in this intensely competitive industry. -You have to commit to your job and yourself to be able to get to where you want to be.   Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!   We can’t wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    15 min
  2. 30 JAN

    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 Business of Apparel!  We go from the playful dynamics of being each other's supporters—like when Rachel thought she’d be a "sugar mama"—while sharing tips for maintaining sanity and a healthy marriage. The secrets to a successful partnership? A good dose of humor, effective communication, and continuously challenging each other to grow. After numerous adventures have taken them all over the country and back to Colorado, each move has brought a few challenges, but also allowed for connection with various communities. Topics such as the decision to be childfree come up, which fuels decisions, allowing Rachel and her husband to pursue their passions without regret. Wrapping up, a huge thanks to our listeners!  We couldn’t be at episode 100 without you and we invite you to explore further resources on our website tailored to help apparel professionals scale their businesses. In this episode, you’ll hear: -Meet Rachel’s husband! -Some sage marriage advice from Rachel and her husband. -How choosing to be childfree has opened up opportunities in their careers, but also in lifestyle. -Time to get vulnerable - the challenging times, especially with multiple moves.   Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!   We can’t wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    25 min
  3. 23 JAN

    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 necessary to be successful and how it shapes the wildly different perceptions of financial success. The fascinating disparities in salary and net worth expectations among these age groups is staggering.  What's even more fascinating is how these figures reveal the broader economic challenges and aspirations defining each generation’s unique view of success. We'll also unpack what the average salary looks like in comparison to what average salaries look like in the fashion and apparel industry. No matter what, patience, persistence, continued education, and professional growth can lead to financial success in the challenging yet rewarding world of fashion, as well as other industries in our society. In this episode, you’ll hear: -The amount each generation thinks they need is very indicative of how they define success. -There's a huge misconception about "overnight" success. -How to earn more and grow your salary in the fashion industry. -Average salaries in the fashion industry.   Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!   We can’t wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    26 min
  4. 16 JAN

    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 of products or making something for everyone.  There’s actually a lot of bad information out there about the fashion and apparel industry that can stifle growth for new brands and fashion professionals and we’re here to set the record straight. This episode is a bit of a sneak peek into our upcoming FREE, yes, free workshop series set for 2025, tailored for fashion design students, startups, and seasoned industry veterans. The workshop provides actionable steps and frameworks to help you navigate these misconceptions and forge a successful path in fashion. Don't miss out on our 90-minute Friday sessions designed to boost your industry knowledge and career prospects. In this episode, you’ll hear: -There’s a lot of bad information out there about the fashion and apparel industry.  Get a leg up on the competition by attending our free workshops! -Whether you’re a student, industry pro, or startup brand, there is something everyone can take away from this. -The 3 biggest myths about the fashion industry, explained!   Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!   We can’t wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    23 min
  5. 2 JAN

    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 her own goals with unmarked Street. Rachel also talks about her inspiration from Rachel Hollis's audiobooks and discusses the significance of envisioning long-term goals and working backward to create actionable steps. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or someone with personal aspirations, you'll discover the importance of setting realistic targets in the pursuit of success. Finally, Rachel shares effective strategies for improving conversion rates through goal setting. Emphasizing the value of testing different messaging approaches, she explains how building rapport by offering valuable content can foster trust and familiarity with potential clients. By breaking down goals into smaller, manageable steps,  you can set achievable targets that lead to meaningful outcomes.  In this episode, you’ll hear: -The tools you have to be equipped with to be an entrepreneur. -Look forward in your goal setting to work backwards. -Actionable steps you need to take to help reach your goals. -Our goals at Unmarked Street for 2025.   We can’t wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    27 min
  6. 19/12/2024

    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 when starting an apparel line: how much do you REALLY need to save? Learn why $200,000 is a realistic figure and what that truly covers. Spoiler alert: It's all about aligning your resources, from understanding website fees to navigating taxes and legalities. That's not all.  We'll talk about the real-world challenges of working with factories that might not fully grasp your target market's body types, and how these nuances can make or break customer satisfaction. Should you decide to start with a modest $1,200 or coming in strong with $5 million, a strategic plan is your best friend. Learn strategies to manage expenses and even leverage credit cards to smooth out cash flow hiccups. Plus, discover why being part of a community is invaluable, offering exclusive insights and resources.  This episode is a must-listen reality check for anyone looking to start an apparel line. In this episode, you’ll hear: -Realistic costs associated with starting an apparel line and ways to distribute those costs throughout the process. -The importance of quality when it comes to your garments. -Why not focusing on fit is a HUGE mistake: customers simply won't come back. -You can start with less, but be prepared for a very lengthy process.   We can’t wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    23 min

About

Rachel Erickson brings her 20 years of expertise in the apparel manufacturing industry to this show to inspire you to build your best brand yet. Each week, you’ll hear from Rachel along with other industry experts who are shedding light on what is needed to build your own apparel line from scratch or to take your existing apparel brand to the next level and create sustainable and unstoppable growth. Rachel’s big emphasis on proper techniques, sustainable practices and business clarity will be sure to help you create loyal customers who happily purchase from you again and again. Make sure you follow this podcast so you don’t miss a single episode if you’re running your own apparel business or looking to start!

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