Building an apparel brand can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you're competing against industry giants with resources, data, and strategies you don't have access to. While many founders assume they're simply missing a piece of the puzzle, the reality is that the apparel industry is far more competitive than most entrepreneurs realize, and understanding how it really works can change everything.

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on an eye-opening experience from my corporate career that completely changed the way I view the apparel industry. I share what happened during a leadership meeting at one of the world's biggest apparel companies, why emerging brands were seen as a threat despite holding only a tiny fraction of the market, and how that experience inspired me to dedicate my career to helping independent apparel founders succeed with the insider knowledge they've never been given.

📝 Today We're Covering:

• Why even the biggest apparel brands pay close attention to emerging competitors
• What I learned inside a corporate strategy meeting focused on protecting market share
• Why so much of the advice available to apparel founders feels incomplete or unhelpful
• How understanding the industry's hidden dynamics can help you make smarter business decisions
• Why having experienced advisors and proven operational strategies gives small brands a competitive advantage

Success in the apparel industry starts with understanding the realities behind the scenes. This episode will give you a new perspective on the challenges you're facing and remind you that success isn't about working harder. It's about understanding how the industry really operates and having the right guidance to navigate it.

➡️ 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: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE
• Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw
• Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao

🤝 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 at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/ and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.

Leaving the security of a steady paycheck to build your own apparel business is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. The uncertainty of replacing your income, finding clients, and giving up traditional benefits can feel overwhelming, but the freedom, flexibility, and opportunity to build a business on your own terms can make it one of the most rewarding decisions you'll ever make.

In this episode, I sit down with two former colleagues and friends, Sarah White and Kayla Clarot, to talk about our journeys from the corporate apparel world into running our own businesses. We share the lessons we learned working in a high-pressure environment, how those experiences shaped our leadership styles, and why creating businesses rooted in collaboration, flexibility, and kindness has become our mission.

📝 Today We're Covering:

• Why leaving a corporate career can be the catalyst for building a business that fits your life and values
• How high-pressure work environments can develop leadership skills that translate into entrepreneurship
• Why collaboration works better than competition to create a strong business
• How to lead with honesty, kindness, and clear communication while building a healthy team culture
• Why balancing ambition with your physical and mental well-being leads to more sustainable success

Whether you're wondering if it's time to pursue your own apparel business or you're looking for encouragement as you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, this conversation will remind you that your past experiences can become your greatest advantage in building a company on your own terms.

➡️ Connect with Sarah and Kayla:

• Sarah: https://www.theoutdoormerchant.com/
• Kayla: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-clarot-58351b97/

➡️ Connect with Rachel:

• Subscribe to the Apparel Founder's Boardroom Notes on Substack: https://substack.com/@businessofapparel
• Get in touch here: http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact
• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/

🤝 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.

Stepping into the role of CEO requires more than designing great products. It means shifting your mindset from working in your apparel brand to leading and growing it. Learning to delegate, trust your team, and focus on the bigger picture is what creates the foundation for long-term success.

As I work to better understand the financial data behind my own business, build stronger leadership skills, and expand my team, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to transition from product designer to business owner. I explain why hiring before you feel ready, investing in expert guidance, and creating systems that empower your team can help you break through the growth ceiling that many apparel founders face.

📝 Today We're Covering:

• Why thinking of yourself as a product designer instead of a CEO can hold your business back
• How hiring and delegating create more opportunities for growth and profitability
• Why learning your business numbers is essential, even if finance isn't your strength
• How to build a leadership team that can grow alongside your apparel brand
• Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, when scaling your company

If you're still trying to wear multiple hats in your business, this episode will help you shift your mindset, embrace your role as CEO, and create a business that can grow beyond what you could accomplish on your own.

➡️ Your Next Steps:

• Subscribe to the Apparel Founder's Boardroom Notes on Substack: https://substack.com/@businessofapparel
• Get in touch with me here: http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact
• Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join

‼️ Don't Miss These 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

🤝 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 at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/ and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.

Bringing investors into your apparel brand might seem like the fastest path to growth, but the wrong investment, or the wrong strategy, can put everything you've built at risk.

In this episode we're breaking down why many apparel founders make costly mistakes after raising capital and explain how to use investment dollars strategically to build a stronger, more profitable business. We discuss why investing in education, hiring the right team, and testing products before scaling leads to better long-term results, while also exploring the dangers of chasing rapid growth and partnering with investors whose values don't align with your brand.

📝 Today We're Covering:

• Why raising investment capital isn't always the right move for apparel brands
• The smartest ways to invest funding to support sustainable growth
• Why buying more inventory too soon can hurt your business
• How to use product testing before scaling your apparel line
• The risks of partnering with investors who don't share your brand values

Whether you're considering outside investment or simply planning your next stage of growth, this episode offers practical guidance to help you make smarter financial decisions to protect your brand and build a business that lasts.

➡️ Your Next Steps:

• Subscribe to the Apparel Founder's Boardroom Notes on Substack: https://substack.com/@businessofapparel
• Get in touch with me here: http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact
• Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join

‼️ Don't Miss These 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

🤝 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 at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/ and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.

Many apparel founders believe growing revenue is the key to building a successful brand, but revenue alone won't keep your business alive. Without healthy profit margins, even brands generating millions of dollars in sales can struggle with cash flow, inventory purchases, hiring, and long-term growth.

In this episode of the Business of Apparel podcast, Rachel explains why profitability, not revenue, is the most important metric every apparel founder should be tracking. She shares real examples of brands that looked successful on paper but ultimately failed because they ignored their margins, along with practical guidance for calculating profitability, understanding company-wide weighted margins, and making smarter inventory and pricing decisions. Rachel also discusses how experienced mentorship and the right financial systems can help founders avoid expensive mistakes and build brands that are positioned for sustainable, long-term success.

📝 Today We're Covering:

• Why focusing on revenue instead of profit can put your apparel brand at serious financial risk
• How to calculate and evaluate product and company-wide profit margins
• The warning signs that your inventory and purchasing decisions are hurting profitability
• Real examples of brands that succeeded or failed based on the financial decisions they made
• Why expert guidance and better financial systems can help you avoid costly mistakes and scale with confidence

Whether you're just getting your business off the ground or you've been at it a while, this episode provides practical strategies for understanding the numbers behind your brand. You'll walk away with actionable steps to help you improve your margins, strengthen your decision-making, and create a business that's built for long-term growth rather than just impressive revenue.

➡️ Your Next Steps:

• Get the initial line planning template: http://thebusinessofapparel.com/gift
• Check out our resources here: http://thebusinessofapparel.com/shop
• Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join

‼️ Don't Miss These 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

🤝 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 at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/ and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.

When apparel founders fail to create a profitable business, it's not because they lack talent or great product ideas. They struggle because they're forced to navigate a highly technical industry through expensive trial and error, often making costly mistakes that could have been avoided with the right guidance.

In this episode of the Business of Apparel podcast, Rachel shares the common challenges she's seeing apparel founders face and explains why learning the industry as you go can put your business at risk. Through real client stories, she breaks down how poor product development processes, weak financial planning, inaccurate pricing, and unclear production documentation can quickly lead to cash flow problems, wasted inventory, and even business closure. Rachel also explains why building strong operational systems early, tracking profitability instead of just revenue, and seeking expert support can dramatically reduce risk and help founders build profitable, sustainable brands.

📝 Today We're Covering:

• Why trial-and-error can become one of the most expensive ways to build an apparel brand
• Common product development mistakes that lead to costly production errors
• How tracking margins, not just revenue, is essential for long-term profitability
• Real examples of apparel founders who saved (or lost) tens of thousands of dollars based on key business decisions
• Why investing in the right systems and expert guidance can help prevent cash flow issues and accelerate growth

For apparel founders who are trying to build a profitable business without making costly mistakes, this episode offers practical lessons from real-world experiences. Rachel provides actionable insights to help entrepreneurs strengthen their operations, protect their cash flow, and make smarter decisions that position their brands for long-term success.

➡️ Your Next Steps:

• Ask your questions: hello@unmarkedstreet.com
• Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join
• Sign up for the Business of Apparel Goodbye Masterclass:https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/goodbye

‼️ Don't Miss These 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

🤝 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 at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/ and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.

Building a successful apparel brand takes more than creating great products. The strongest brands are built around a clear purpose, a committed community, and a culture that inspires people to keep growing.

In this episode of the Business of Apparel podcast, Rachel sits down with Jason Daniel, founder of globally recognized activewear brand LSKD, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey from selling T-shirts at motocross events to leading a company with hundreds of employees and a worldwide customer base. Jason shares the story behind LSKD's "1% Better Every Day" philosophy, how discovering a deeper purpose transformed the trajectory of his business, and why community, culture, and continuous improvement have become the foundation of the brand's success. He also offers practical advice for founders looking to define their values, build stronger teams, and create brands that stand for something bigger than the products they sell.

📝 Today We're Covering:

• The origin of LSKD and how Jason turned a passion project into a global apparel brand
• Why finding a meaningful purpose is essential for long-term business success
• How strong company values help attract, retain, and develop great team members
• Why continuous learning, personal growth, and mentorship are critical for founders
• Practical steps apparel entrepreneurs can take to define their mission and build a values-driven brand

For apparel founders navigating the challenges of growth and team building, this episode provides a powerful reminder that long-term success comes from a business rooted in purpose and community. Jason's story offers both inspiration and actionable strategies for entrepreneurs who want to build a brand that resonates deeply with customers, attracts exceptional team members, and creates lasting impact for years to come.

➡️ Connect with Jason and LSKD:

• Learn more about LSKD: http://lskd.co
• Find your next read in the LSKD library: https://www.lskd.co/pages/lskd-library
• Connect on IG @lskd and @jasondaniel__

➡️ Connect with Rachel:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/
• Website: http://www.unmarkedstreet.com/

🤝 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.