The Business of Apparel

Rachel Erickson
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Fashion & Beauty
  • Updated Biweekly

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 your existing apparel brand to the next level and create sustainable and unstoppable growth. Most founders "wing it" through launch & production, but scaling requires professional processes. On the show you'll learn: ✅Profit-First Scaling: Financial architecture that protects your margins ✅Production Excellence: Mastering fit, quality control, and factory relationships ✅Operational Systems: Industry SOPs so your business can run without you ✅Strategic Guidance: Real-world advice from experts with decades of experience No BS. Just proven frameworks you need to grow your brand. Follow the show so you don't miss an episode! Learn more from Rachel at TheBusinessofApparel.com/masterclasses and connect with her on Instagram @BusinessofApparel

  1. What Retail Buyers Actually Want: 3 Things You Need Before Pitching a Store

    1d ago

    What Retail Buyers Actually Want: 3 Things You Need Before Pitching a Store

    Retail stores can be a powerful partner in increasing brand visibility and building customer trust, but there needs to be a strategy behind the way brand founders pitch their apparel.   In this episode of the Business of Apparel podcast, Rachel breaks down the three essential tools every apparel brand needs to successfully land wholesale accounts with boutiques, specialty shops, and retailers. She explains how to prepare for wholesale sales meetings with detailed pricing sheets, curated lookbooks and assortments, and clear payment terms that make it easier for buyers to say yes.   📝 Today We're Covering: How to land wholesale deals for your apparel brand The three essential tools every fashion founder needs for wholesale buyer meetings How to price your clothing line profitably for wholesale and direct-to-consumer sales Why boutiques and specialty retailers can help grow your brand visibility faster How to create wholesale collections and assortments that retailers actually want to buy Whether you're brand new to wholesale or trying to improve your current approach, this episode offers practical guidance to help you present your brand professionally and build long-term retail partnerships. ➡️ Your Next Steps: Say Good-Bye to $20,000 Apparel Brand Mistakes here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/goodbye Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course ‼️ Don't Miss These Episodes: Wholesale 101 Use AI in Your Apparel Brand Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business 🤝 Meet Rachel: Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, she sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.   After decades working inside major fashion companies, she learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.   Rachel helps founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion   Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, Rachel will join you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.   Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    19 min

  2. May 21

    Escaping the Hustle Trap & Curing Imposter Syndrome with Brian Finnerty

    Welcome back to the Business of Apparel podcast, your one-stop shop to learn how to launch, grow, and scale your apparel brand! I'm your host, Rachel Erickson. In today's episode, I am thrilled to welcome Brian Finnerty, an experienced entrepreneur and investor behind Galway Bay Golf. We start by taking the popular entrepreneurial advice of "fake it until you make it," throwing it in the garbage, and setting it ablaze! Brian shares why taking the time to honestly build your business eliminates imposter syndrome and empowers you to speak purely from experience. We also dive deep into the strategic side of building a lasting brand. Brian shares the hard-learned lessons from scaling Galway Bay, including why thinking you are your only customer is an apparel founder's biggest "Kryptonite." We also discuss why the best brands don't just create individual "sizzle" pieces, but instead design cohesive, layered systems where every detail is considered. In this episode, you'll learn: The "fake it till you make it" lie and how to cure imposter syndrome. The Founder's Kryptonite: Why you need to realize you are a sample size of one. Why fast social media clicks don't equal lifetime value (LTV). The power of a "Hero Product" and why keeping styles for years builds ultimate customer loyalty. How Galway Bay launched their women's line with a safe 250-piece test drop. 🔗 Links & Resources: Connect with Brian: Find Brian Finnerty on LinkedIn, via email at Brian@GalwayBayGolf.com, or listen to his podcast, What's Next!. Join The Board: Stop second-guessing yourself. Get honest, real-talk mentorship from a team with over 70 years of combined industry experience. Go to thebusinessofapparel.com to find the right option for you. Connect with Rachel: Send a message, sign up for the weekly newsletter, and access trainings and blog articles at thebusinessofapparel.com . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast player! It helps us continue to bring you the best insights to make a better product for a better world.

    33 min

  3. May 14

    6 Key Roles Every Apparel Brand Founder Needs to Scale

    6 Key Roles Every Apparel Brand Founder Needs to Scale Most apparel founders wait too long to build the right team and it costs them growth, profitability, and burnout. In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel breaks down the 6 key roles every apparel brand should understand before scaling. From product managers and technical designers to production managers and project managers, Rachel explains exactly what each role does, when to hire them, and how to know what should come off your plate first. If you're building a clothing brand, clothing line, activewear company, or product-based business, this episode gives you a real-life perspective for structuring your dream team and growing without losing your mind. Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion Dollar Apparel Brands Masterclass here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/secrets Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com Key Moments: 00:00 Hiring for 6 Key Roles 01:36 When to Delegate 02:50 Role #1 05:06 Join Our Free Masterclass! 06:18 Product Manager Deep Dive 09:23 Role #2 11:16 Role #3 13:18 Role #4 16:56 Role #5 17:33 Join The Board! 18:53 Production Manager Details 20:42 Role #6 23:16 Bonus Role   Watch more of The Business of Apparel Podcast episodes: Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw  Grow A 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao We can't wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Erickson—Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, I've sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.   After decades working inside major fashion companies, I learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.   I help founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion   Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, my team joins you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading. To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    27 min

  4. May 7

    How Boutique Owners Create Their Own Clothing Line (Without Costly Mistakes) with Natalie Hamilton

    How Boutique Owners Create Their Own Clothing Line (Without Costly Mistakes) with Natalie Hamilton If you're a boutique owner thinking about launching your own clothing line, this episode breaks down what it really takes...costs, strategy, mistakes to avoid, and how to actually succeed. In this episode, Rachel sits down with boutique owner Natalie Hamilton, who shares her 10-year journey building a successful retail business, and why she's now stepping into apparel manufacturing with her new brand, Anna & Atticus. From sourcing at MAGIC Las Vegas to navigating minimum order quantities, tech packs, and production costs, this is a behind-the-scenes look at the leap from boutique to brand. If you've ever thought, "I should create my own line," this conversation will either validate your next move or save you thousands in mistakes. Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion Dollar Apparel Brands Masterclass here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/secrets Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com Chapters: 00:00 Starting an Apparel Brand? 00:21 Meet Natalie Hamilton 03:09 Wholesale Buying at Market 05:29 Why Start an Apparel Brand? 09:12 Finding the Right Training 15:19 Costly Industry Surprises 19:12 Building Real Community 21:03 New Strategy: Start Small 23:16 Managing MOQ Risk 24:21 Naming and Trademarks 27:12 Launch Timeline Planning 28:02 The True Cost of Development 29:33 Bespoke vs Streetwear 31:47 Where to Find Graced CONNECT WITH NATALIE: Website: https://gracedshop.com/ Watch more of The Business of Apparel Podcast episodes: Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw  Grow A 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao We can't wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Erickson—Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, I've sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.   After decades working inside major fashion companies, I learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.   I help founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion   Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, my team joins you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.   To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    34 min

  5. Apr 30

    How Much to Pay Your First Hire (Without Breaking Your Apparel Brand)

    How Much to Pay Your First Hire (Without Breaking Your Apparel Brand) Hiring your first employee can feel impossible, but what if you're thinking about it the wrong way? In this episode, Rachel breaks down exactly how much you should pay your first hire in the apparel industry, when to hire (hint: sooner than you think), and how to structure your team without burning out or going broke. Coming from her own experience scaling Unmarked Street, Rachel shares real salary benchmarks, contractor vs. full-time strategies, and the exact framework she used to decide who to hire first. If you're stuck doing everything yourself and hitting a growth ceiling, this episode will show you how to build a team that actually frees you up to scale. Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion Dollar Apparel Brands Masterclass here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/secrets Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com Key Moments: 00:00 Hire Before You Need To 02:12 Investing In Coaching 04:20 Budgeting For A Team 06:35 Entry Level Pay 07:35 Join The Board! 08:55 Senior Roles: Real Costs 10:50 Contractors vs. Full Time 13:16 Choosing Your First Hire 15:01 Sign Up For Our Workshop Watch more of The Business of Apparel Podcast episodes: Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw  Grow A 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao We can't wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Erickson—Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, I've sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.   After decades working inside major fashion companies, I learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.   I help founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion   Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, my team joins you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.   To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    17 min

  6. Apr 23

    The Merchandising Framework That Makes Customers Buy More

    The Merchandising Framework That Makes Customers Buy More Merchandising isn't just about what looks good...it's about what sells. In this episode, Rachel breaks down how to think like a retail pro and build a product line that converts effortlessly. From identifying gaps in your collection to pricing for profitability, this is the framework apparel founders need to stop guessing and start scaling. You'll learn how to align your designs with real customer demand, eliminate underperforming products, and structure your pricing so every piece in your line works together to increase revenue. If your brand feels like a mix of ideas instead of a cohesive collection, this episode will change how you approach every future launch. Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion Dollar Apparel Brands Masterclass here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/secrets Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com Key Moments: 00:00 Why Merchandising Works 00:40 Merchandising vs Product Management 01:35 Wearing the Merch Hat 02:10 Research and SKU Cleanup 03:25 Customer Demand Example 06:11 Join The Board! 07:31 Set Your Retail Pricing Strategy 09:44 Target Costs and Margins 12:30 See You Next Week!   Watch more of The Business of Apparel Podcast episodes: Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw  Grow A 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao   We can't wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Erickson—Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, I've sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.   After decades working inside major fashion companies, I learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.   I help founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion   Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, my team joins you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.   To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    15 min

  7. Apr 16

    3 Costly Apparel Brand Mistakes Killing Your Profits (And How to Fix Them Fast)

    3 Costly Apparel Brand Mistakes Killing Your Profits (And How to Fix Them Fast) If your apparel brand isn't growing, or worse, burning through cash...these are the mistakes you can't afford to ignore. In this episode of Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel breaks down the 3 most costly mistakes apparel brand founders keep making and how to fix them before they stall your growth. From trying to appeal to everyone, to overloading your product line, to designing without a financial plan, these common habits are quietly draining your profitability. This is a must-listen for founders ready to stop guessing and start building a focused, scalable, and profitable apparel business. Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion Dollar Apparel Brands Masterclass here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/secrets Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com Key Moments: 0:00 The 3 Costly Mistakes 01:00 Mistake #1 04:13 Join Our Masterclass! 05:24 A Niche Focus Grows Markets 07:46 Mistake #2 09:31 Join The Board! 10:51 Do Less, but Better 14:23 Mistake #3 18:25 Workshop And The Board Recap Watch more of The Business of Apparel Podcast episodes: Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw  Grow A 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao   We can't wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Erickson—Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, I've sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.   After decades working inside major fashion companies, I learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.   I help founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion   Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, my team joins you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.   To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    22 min

  8. Apr 9

    Inventory Forecasting for Apparel Brands: 3 Proven Strategies to Avoid Stockouts & Scale Profitability

    Inventory Forecasting for Apparel Brands: 3 Proven Strategies to Avoid Stockouts & Scale Profitability Struggling to figure out how much inventory to order without overbuying, or worse, selling out too fast? In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel breaks down the 3 essential forecasting strategies every apparel brand must master to grow profitably without the guesswork. Whether you're just starting out with zero sales data or scaling past your first million, this episode gives you a clear roadmap to smarter inventory decisions, stronger cash flow, and sustainable growth. If you've ever felt stuck between playing it safe and scaling your brand, this is the episode that will help you finally make confident, data-driven decisions. Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion Dollar Apparel Brands Masterclass here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/secrets Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com Key Moments: 00:00 Three Forecast Types 00:20 Why Forecasting Matters 01:06 Forecasting From Historical Data 03:02 Adding Growth Targets 06:03 Stop Leaving Money on the Table 07:43 Join The Board! 09:55 Dangers of Forecasting With No Data 13:17 Pre-Sales And Community 17:25 Why You Should Join The Board Watch more of The Business of Apparel Podcast episodes: Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw  Grow A 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao We can't wait to hear what you think of this episode! Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course ABOUT RACHEL: Rachel Erickson—Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, I've sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.   After decades working inside major fashion companies, I learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.   I help founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion   Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, my team joins you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.   To connect with Rachel, you can join her LinkedIn community here: LinkedIn. To visit her website, go to: www.unmarkedstreet.com.

    19 min
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

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 your existing apparel brand to the next level and create sustainable and unstoppable growth. Most founders "wing it" through launch & production, but scaling requires professional processes. On the show you'll learn: ✅Profit-First Scaling: Financial architecture that protects your margins ✅Production Excellence: Mastering fit, quality control, and factory relationships ✅Operational Systems: Industry SOPs so your business can run without you ✅Strategic Guidance: Real-world advice from experts with decades of experience No BS. Just proven frameworks you need to grow your brand. Follow the show so you don't miss an episode! Learn more from Rachel at TheBusinessofApparel.com/masterclasses and connect with her on Instagram @BusinessofApparel

Information

  • Creator
    Rachel Erickson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    170
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    The Business of Apparel

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