Life By DESIGN

Charmaine Mischel

Living my dream of empowering Designpreneurs like you to build strong, scalable fashion brands. As a classically trained Designer & Industry Consultant based in NY who’s experienced some of the highest highs AND the lowest of lows, I've mastered what it takes to not just build a viable fashion business, but to DESIGN a life you love. It is your season to THRIVE. Subscribe for the Insider Secrets of the Fashion Industry, plus cutting edge insights and real-talk from others who've walked the walk as well. Your fashion brand's future starts here!! ✨ @charmainemischel ✨ cmdesignagency.com

  1. 20 | "Owning Your Light & Your Impact On The Industry" with Media Strategist, Joy Sutton: Having The Confidence To Shine Bright No Matter Where You Are In Your Journey

    MAY 12

    20 | "Owning Your Light & Your Impact On The Industry" with Media Strategist, Joy Sutton: Having The Confidence To Shine Bright No Matter Where You Are In Your Journey

    In this episode, Charmaine Mischel and special guest Joy Sutton explore the secrets to sustaining a brand’s relevance beyond fleeting moments of visibility. Joy Sutton is a media powerhouse with over 20 years of experience. From her days as a TV news reporter to her current role as an podcast host, media consultant, and VP of Brand and Communications for a leading behavioral health company, Joy has mastered the art of storytelling. She’s won multiple Telly awards and earned the prestigious CrimeCon Clue Award for Best Podcast Episodic Series in 2024. With her celebrity interviews featured in top outlets like People Magazine and Entertainment Weekly, and as the host of powerful podcasts like Untold Stories: Black and Missing and Addiction Talk, Joy shines a spotlight on crucial issues, raising awareness and sparking important conversations. During this exhilarating conversation you'll discover how resilience, authentic storytelling, and strategic positioning can create a lasting legacy in a noisy digital landscape. ✨Haute Takes: ·      The difference between launching and sustaining a brand long-term ·      How visibility translates to trust and credibility over time ·      The importance of storytelling, authenticity, and relatability in branding ·      The roles of owned, paid, and earned media in brand visibility ·      Strategies for pitching compelling stories to media outlets ·      The impact of AI and discoverability for small brands ·      Overcoming fear of visibility and building confidence through practice ·      Creating your unique blueprint for success ·      The power of believing in oneself and the role of faith in career shifts ·      The importance of impact over perfection and embracing authenticity ✨Haute Links: Connect With Joy Sutton of Joy Sutton Media! Website: www.thejoysutton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thejoysutton Email: joy@suttonimpactmedia.com Next Steps: I'd love to hear your top takeaway from this episode! Please comment below and give us a thumbs up if you want to hear more like this! Designprenuer Resources: Explore www.cmdesignagency.com Brand Launch & Management Mentorship ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ . Join our virtual Designpreneur Club ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. So you don’t miss a beat, subscribe to our podcast on your favorite streaming service and follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠@charmainemischel⁠⁠⁠ for regular updates and insights. ✨Haute Spots: 03:12 - Keys to crafting a resilient brand voice 08:16 - Understanding owned, paid, and earned media 10:18 - Risks and rewards of media exposure, managing narrative 13:41 - The future of AI discoverability and the importance of media presence 16:22 - Crafting a compelling brand story that resonates 17:25 - Trending, timely stories, and personal narratives in media pitching 18:42 - The strategy behind getting media coverage during events like Fashion Week 22:15 - The importance of visibility for small and mission-driven brands 26:20 - Positioning yourself effectively in your market space 30:37 - The power of persistence and resilience in building confidence 31:28 - Authenticity over perfection as the key to connection 41:32 - Designing your impact and who you are called to serve

    1h 3m
  2. 19 | Take Back Your Time: How To Move Your Brand Forward Without Burning Yourself To The Ground This Year

    MAR 16

    19 | Take Back Your Time: How To Move Your Brand Forward Without Burning Yourself To The Ground This Year

    The truth is, most of us weren't taught early on how to exercise strategies to accelerate brand growth without burning out. So, we learned the hard way... but you don't have to. In this episode I unveil proven mindset-friendly models, like the 80-20 rule and Parkinson's Law, to help you focus on what can truly move your business forward, and enable you to thrive. ✨Haute Takes: Why focusing on 20% of efforts can generate 80% of resultsHow setting tighter deadlines can increase productivityWhy small, consistent daily actions are so powerfulRemember, building your brand doesn’t mean working around the clock. Focus on what matters, set firm deadlines, and surround yourself with a supportive community to make consistent progress—smartly and sustainably. Next Steps: I'd love to hear your top takeaway from this episode! Please comment below and give us a thumbs up if you want to hear more like this! ✨Haute Links: Connect with me via the links below... and share this with someone who you know is ready for real guidance along their designer journey. Explore Brand Launch & Management Mentorship ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ . Join our virtual Designpreneur Club ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. So you don’t miss a beat, subscribe to our podcast on your favorite streaming service and follow us on social media ⁠⁠@charmainemischel⁠⁠ for regular updates and insights. ✨Haute Spots: 00:00 - Managing time effectively is key to business success 00:36 - The 80-20 rule to move your business forward 01:13 - Avoid perfecting non-essential elements early on 01:51 - Clarify your brand’s purpose, values, and audience before scaling 02:14 - Starting small with your Minimum Viable Collection (MVC) 02:38 - Identifying your core message so your brand can resonate with your audience 03:02 - Introduction to Parkinson’s Law and its application 03:37 - Setting deadlines to increase focus and efficiency 04:16 - Why speed increases clarity and breakthrough results 05:55 - Maintaining momentum during slow phases 06:37 - Embracing momentum when things speed up again 07:16 - The compound effect of small, consistent actions over time 08:30 - The importance of surrounding yourself with supportive, goal-oriented people

    12 min
  3. 18 | "Fashion Law Essentials" with Ashley Cloud: When Trademarking Your Fashion Brand’s Intellectual Property is a Must

    01/29/2025

    18 | "Fashion Law Essentials" with Ashley Cloud: When Trademarking Your Fashion Brand’s Intellectual Property is a Must

    On this episode, I’m joined by Ashley Cloud, also known as “Your Fashion Attorney,” who has dedicated her time and expertise to helping Fashion Designers protect their creativity and build legally secure brands. With years of experience working at the intersection of law and fashion, Ashley specializes in trademarks and intellectual property (IP), ensuring that creatives can retain ownership of their work and safeguard their brands from copycats. Whether you're a new Designer building your business or an established Designpreneur, this conversation is packed with practical perspectives on why trademarking is a must. Get ready to gain valuable legal insights to strengthen your fashion empire!   Connect with Ashley Cloud of The Cloud Law Firm Website: www.thecloudlawfirmcom Instagram: @iamashleycloud | @thecloudlawfirm Tiktok: @iamashleycloud LinkedIn: Ashley N. Cloud, Esq., MBA Email: ashley@thecloudlawfirm.com . . Key Resources and Links: The links & resources below have been carefully curated so you can expertly navigate the Fashion Industry and you brand launch journey, from concept to market launch! Label Launch Checklist ⁠here⁠ . Find Your Core Customer Base ⁠here⁠ . Fashion Speak: 101 Fashion Industry Terms ⁠here⁠ . Brand Launch Mentorship ⁠here⁠ . Questions?! Join us inside our Designer community ⁠here⁠ or leave a comment below.  Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite streaming service and follow us on social media ⁠@charmainemischel⁠ for regular updates and insights.

    57 min
  4. 17 | "The Intersection Of AI & Fashion Design" with Natalie de Groot

    10/17/2024

    17 | "The Intersection Of AI & Fashion Design" with Natalie de Groot

    In this exciting episode, we dive deep into the creative mind and designer journey of Natalie de Groot. She shares how integrating AI into her design process has expanded her creativity and opened up new opportunities in the Fashion Industry. Natalie also reveals how she stays inspired in this fast-paced fashion world while balancing tradition and innovation. Join us for these insights into the future of AI x Fashion so you can push your own boundaries of design. Episode Highlights: 1. Harnessing AI for Creative Innovation: Integrating artificial intelligence into your design process. 2. Staying Inspired in Fashion: Continually finding inspiration in the fast-paced world of fashion while staying true to your unique aesthetic.  3. Future-Proofing Your Brand: Learn how you can position yourself and your brand to stay relevant in the evolving Fashion Industry landscape. Connect with Natalie de Groot! Website:  nataliedegroot.comLinkedIn:  @nataliedegrootla Key Resources and Links: The links & resources below have been carefully curated so you can expertly navigate the Fashion Industry and you brand launch journey, from concept to market launch! Label Launch Checklist here . Find Your Core Customer Base here . Fashion Speak: 101 Fashion Industry Terms here . Brand Launch Mentorship here . Questions?! Join us inside our Designer community here or leave a comment below.Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite streaming service and follow us on social media @charmainemischel for regular updates and insights.

    57 min
  5. 16 | Crafting Your Brand’s Unique Value Proposition: Why Every Business Needs One to Succeed

    09/17/2024

    16 | Crafting Your Brand’s Unique Value Proposition: Why Every Business Needs One to Succeed

    Crafting a Unique Value Proposition (UVP) that differentiates your Fashion brand will ensure that it resonates deeply with your target audience. In this conversation we’ll cover everything from understanding your brand’s unique offerings to effectively communicating your value to your customers. Plus, we'll take inspiration from Stella McCartney, a leader in sustainable luxury fashion.   Key Sections: 1. Your brand’s superpower: Discovering what makes your brand unique in the marketplace. 2. Dial into your audience: How to use customer personas to tailor your UVP. 3. Speak their language:  Tips for effectively communicating your UVP. 4. Learn from one of the best: A look at how Stella McCartney leverages her UVP for brand success. 5. Test, Learn, Adapt: Why ongoing refinement is crucial for your UVP.  . . Key Resources and Links: The links & resources below have been carefully curated so you can expertly navigate the Fashion Industry and you brand launch journey, from concept to market launch! Label Launch Checklist ⁠here⁠ . Find Your Core Customer Base ⁠here⁠ . Fashion Speak: 101 Fashion Industry Terms ⁠here⁠ . Brand Launch Mentorship ⁠here⁠ . Questions?! Join us inside our Designer community ⁠here⁠ or leave a comment below.  Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite streaming service and follow us on social media ⁠@charmainemischel⁠ for regular updates and insights.

    19 min

About

Living my dream of empowering Designpreneurs like you to build strong, scalable fashion brands. As a classically trained Designer & Industry Consultant based in NY who’s experienced some of the highest highs AND the lowest of lows, I've mastered what it takes to not just build a viable fashion business, but to DESIGN a life you love. It is your season to THRIVE. Subscribe for the Insider Secrets of the Fashion Industry, plus cutting edge insights and real-talk from others who've walked the walk as well. Your fashion brand's future starts here!! ✨ @charmainemischel ✨ cmdesignagency.com