What happens when you stop waiting for change and start leading it yourself? Fashion designer Mindy Scheier thought her path was in high fashion, until her son’s experience with Muscular Dystrophy pushed her to create clothing that works for every body. Now, she’s revolutionizing the fashion industry through two game-changing organizations: Runway of Dreams and Gamut Talent Management. In this episode, Mindy shares how she built a movement for disability inclusion from the ground up. We talk about adaptive fashion, representation in media, parenting, entrepreneurship, and why being underestimated can be your biggest superpower.

Chapters:

00:00 Why “no” is just feedback

01:22 Meet Mindy: fashion designer, founder, and mom

03:56 Dreams of becoming the next Betsey Johnson

05:00 How her son inspired a new mission

07:00 The real needs of the disability community

10:15 Rethinking design from the ground up

13:00 The impact of adaptive clothing in daily life

15:00 Breaking into fashion’s mainstream

18:45 The future of inclusion and innovation

20:00 What grit really looks like

23:00 The path to working with Tommy Hilfiger

25:12 13 brands down but we’re not done yet

26:40 “No” as a doorway to curiosity

29:00 New York Fashion Week, the Gamut Seal, and what’s next

34:00 Fashion as a site of empowerment

37:00 Why design + tech = true inclusion

39:00 Mindy’s rituals and boundaries as a founder

42:00 What she needs next and how you can help

44:30 The ramp story: designing for everyone

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

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