Use AI in Your Apparel Brand (Without Losing Your Voice or Identity)

AI is reshaping how customers shop and how founders build. From virtual try-ons to AI-assisted sketching and content workflows. Today, Rachel shares how to use it wisely without sounding like a bot.

In this episode of the Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel breaks down the most practical ways apparel brands can leverage AI today, on both the consumer side (virtual try-ons that change how people buy) and the operator side (faster sketching, tech packs, and content support). She shares real tools she's testing or watching (On-Brand PLM, NewArc, Canva, Riverside Co-Pilot, Google Gemini), clear boundaries for accuracy and voice, and a warning: brands that ignore AI will fall behind, but brands that outsource their voice to it will, too.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- Virtual try-ons and how they'll impact conversion on brand sites

- AI in design: flat sketches, colorways, early 3D, and PLM workflows

- Tech-pack experimentation and where AI helps vs. where it still struggles

- Using AI for marketing (SEO titles, captions, content calendars, brainstorming)

- Maintaining authenticity with AI

- Social Media platform shifts toward original content with AI saturation

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.

The Anatomy of A Product Page That Actually Sells: Boosting Converstions with Strategic Storytelling

Most apparel brands think a product page just needs a few photos and a price tag, but that thinking is costing you sales. In this episode of The Business of Apparel, Rachel breaks down the real anatomy of a product page that converts, from visual storytelling to size guides that slash return rates.

She walks through exactly what makes a product page not only beautiful, but profitable. You'll learn how to strategically craft imagery, write descriptions that sell through emotion, and use tactics like bundling, reviews, and fit guides to reduce friction and increase conversion rates.

Launching your store or looking to optimize for the holiday season? This episode is packed with expert advice you can apply immediately!

In this episode, you'll hear:

- The psychology behind why people buy from a product page

- How to create shot lists for better photo & video planning

- Writing descriptions that emotionally connect and sell

- Sizing charts vs. fit guides — and why you need both

- Increasing trust with customer reviews and testimonials

- Strategic placement of CTA buttons and urgency messaging

- Mobile vs. desktop design considerations for product pages

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.

How to Find the Right Manufacturer for Your Apparel Brand (Without Wasting Time or Money)

Think finding a manufacturer is as easy as a Google search? Think again.

In this episode of The Business of Apparel, Rachel breaks down the crucial process of sourcing and interviewing manufacturers the right way, so you don't waste thousands of dollars or end up with unsellable inventory. With 25+ years in the industry and real experiences from members inside her mentorship program The Board, Rachel shares very crucial steps to compare vendors, calculate true unit costs, negotiate MOQs, and protect your brand with a solid vendor agreement.

If you're sourcing your very first production run or switching vendors to reduce tariffs, this is the guide you must follow to keep your margins clean and your operations smooth.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- How to start the manufacturer sourcing process strategically

- Using your extended network to get real vendor recommendations

- Understanding minimum order quantities (MOQs) and their impact on budgeting

- Breaking down different types of costing: CMT, FOB, and DDP

- Why vendor agreements are non-negotiable for protecting quality

- Navigating tariffs and freight costs in today's global apparel market

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.

Should Your Brand Be on TikTok? A Real Talk for Apparel Entrepreneurs

Wondering if TikTok is the right move for your apparel brand? Or is it just another distraction? This episode breaks it down with real advice rooted in what actually works for small product-based businesses.

In this episode of The Business of Apparel podcast, Rachel expands on a hot topic raised during a recent office hours session: Should your brand be on TikTok? We're taking a clear-eyed look at the pros and cons of joining the TikTok bandwagon.

You'll get guidance on consistency, scheduling tools, native posting strategies, platform-specific content tips, and, most importantly, how to align your social strategy with your target customer. Plus, hear about our $17 masterclass (normally $47) and how to join The Business of Apparel Board for weekly coaching and community-driven strategy.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- The pros and cons of launching a brand presence on TikTok

- The importance of content consistency over chasing every trend

- How to determine which platform is right for your audience

- Leveraging scheduling tools like Later.com

- Why a clear customer profile drives your entire strategy

- How to make social media work even with limited time

- Sneak peek at the Business of Apparel Board membership & live office hours

Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/the-board

Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!

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.

Why Sustainability Is the Future of Apparel: How New Laws & Tariffs Are Changing the Industry

Fast fashion is losing its grip and the shift is accelerating...FAST.

In this episode of The Business of Apparel, Rachel breaks down the rising tide of sustainability in the fashion industry. From changing tariff laws to game-changing EU regulations and the fall of influencer-driven fast fashion, the apparel landscape is undergoing a major shake-up.

Whether you're an emerging brand or a seasoned entrepreneur, you'll learn what these shifts mean for your business and how to build a brand that lasts. Rachel reveals sustainability practices beyond fabrics (think: 3D prototyping, QR code labeling, and ethical operations), and urges founders to prepare for the new transparency standards coming soon.

Plus: why marketing your slow fashion process is more powerful than you think and how to avoid the legal risks of greenwashing.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- How new tariffs are making fast fashion more expensive

- EU regulations banning influencer fast fashion endorsements

- Why slow fashion is gaining a competitive edge

- The risks of greenwashing and how to avoid legal pitfalls

- Sustainable practices beyond materials (fit, prototyping, marketing)

- How to tell your slow fashion story to earn trust and loyalty

Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/the-board

Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!

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.

Are You Really Ready for Q4? How to Prep for Your Biggest Revenue Season + 2026 Planning

Are you underestimating Q4??

In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel is giving a wake-up call for fashion founders who haven't fully prepared for the busiest, and most profitable, time of year.

Rachel takes you behind the scenes on why Q4 can make or break your revenue goals, and why now is the time to be finalizing your 2026 financial plans, holiday discount strategy, and inventory forecasting. Whether you're a new brand gearing up for your first big sales season or a seasoned founder fine-tuning your margins, this is a masterclass in proactive CEO thinking.

She also explains the deeper strategy behind the Money Mondays series here on the channel and why subscribing and consuming BOTH Money Mondays and Business of Apparel Podcast is a must if you're serious about growing a sustainable fashion business.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- Why Q4 is the most critical time of the year for fashion brands

- Holiday discounts: when they help and when they hurt

- How to evaluate if your brand should even participate in Black Friday

- Inventory forecasting for Q4 (and next year)

- Using small collections and limited drops as holiday strategies

- The impact of discount culture on brand perception

Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/the-board

Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!

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.

When Overwhelm is Present: Leading Through Change, Burnout & Breakthroughs

What if the growth you dreamed of is finally here, but it's arriving as burnout, resistance, and overwhelming transition? In this episode of the Business of Apparel, we unpack what real leadership looks like when everything shifts at once.

We're talking about navigating intense change, both personally and professionally, as the CEO of a growing apparel business. From team burnout and shifting client dynamics to personal therapy breakthroughs and a major life move, Rachel shares how overwhelm can sneak in even during seasons of success. But more importantly, she reframes that overwhelm as a signal is not an identity.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- Leading through business transitions without losing your team

- Burnout signals and how to spot them in yourself and your staff

- Managing rapid business growth alongside personal life changes

- How to frame stress without identifying with it

- Balancing honesty, boundaries, and leadership responsibility

Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/the-board

Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!

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.

Firing Fast: Hard Truths Every Apparel Leader Needs to Hear

Firing someone is never easy, but avoiding it can be even worse.

In this raw episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel is flipping the conversation from last week's hiring advice to the tough reality of letting people go. Rachel shares the real, behind-the-scenes experience of managing a toxic employee at a major apparel brand and the emotional, strategic, and leadership lessons that came with it.

From missed expectations to managing a prototyping lab gone sideways, she goes into performance improvement plans (PIPs), leadership accountability, and the ripple effect one poor hire can have on your entire team. Whether you're a founder, team lead, or scaling your first fashion startup, this episode is a must-listen for you.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- The emotional and strategic weight of firing as a leader

- Creating and managing a performance improvement plan (PIP)

- When team culture outweighs technical talent

- Real experience from managing apparel teams at a corporate level

- Navigating HR, severance, and difficult conversations

Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/the-board

Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!

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.

Why You Need To Hire Before You're Ready: A CEO's Guide to Strategic Growth

Don't wait until you're drowning to hire!

In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel is going into the CEO mindset around building a powerful team before you need it. Whether you're a solopreneur juggling it all or a growing apparel brand ready to scale, this conversation will change how you think about hiring.

Rachel shares candid stories from her own entrepreneurial journey, what she learned about burnout, bottlenecks, and building a dream team. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how top-tier brands in apparel attract elite talent, why racing to the bottom on wages is a losing strategy, and how to create roles that others are excited to step into.

If you've ever asked yourself "Can I really afford to hire?" this episode will show you why the better question is, "Can I afford not to?"

In this episode, you'll hear:

- Why CEOs must hire before they feel ready

- The hidden cost of hiring cheap

- How top companies recruit elite talent

- Structuring your interview process ethically and efficiently

- Best practices for onboarding new hires

Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/the-board

Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!

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.

How to Run A Powerful Company Meeting That Aligns Your Team and Grows Your Business

Think your team knows where the business is headed? Think again, unless you're holding company-wide meetings like this.

In this episode of the Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel walks us through exactly how she structures biannual "all hands" gatherings at Unmarked Street. From clarifying the mission and values to reviewing financials, team roles, and growth goals, this is the system that keeps everyone rowing in the same direction.

You'll hear how transparency builds trust, why she's implemented people-first policies like core hours, and what she's doing to grow both community and client base in the second half of 2025. Whether you're just starting to grow your team or already leading a growing fashion business, this "CEO minute" offers a full roadmap for how to lead with clarity, purpose, and results.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- How to structure effective mid-year or annual company meetings

- Communicating transparently with contractors and employees

- Creating a culture of reliability and ownership

- Strategic marketing pivots: what's working, what's not

- The power of people-first leadership in the apparel industry

Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/the-board

Sign up for the Secrets Behind Billion-Dollar Apparel Brands FREE Course here!

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.