2026 Planning, Profit vs. Growth, and the 6 Segments Every Apparel Brand Must Understand

2025 taught us some hard lessons. 2026 is about consistency, focus, and finally doing what works.

In this New Year's Day episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel breaks down what really happened behind the scenes in 2025. What grew, what burned out the team, and why understanding your actual customer segments (not just your ideal target customer) is the key to profitable growth in 2026.

Rachel also touches on how prioritizing profitability over vanity metrics, saying no to burnout-driven growth, and building a team before you feel ready creates space for real momentum. Rachel also reveals what's coming in 2026: free workshops, expanded mentorship, deeper personalization, student-focused education, and a renewed commitment to community-first business building. If you're an apparel founder trying to scale sustainably, or questioning whether you're growing in the right direction, this episode is your new year reset.

Key Moments:

2025 Recap

00:28 Welcome to 2026: New Year, New Plans

01:29 Reflecting on 2025: Lessons Learned

02:34 2026 Goals and Workshops

04:45 Masterclass and Community Engagement

07:31 Understanding Our Audience Segments

11:52 Expanding Services and New Initiatives

20:32 Fashion Business School and Student Programs

23:34 Team Roles and Future Plans

27:32 Warpping Up

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/the-board

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.