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.

How to Turn Holiday Returns into Lifetime Customers for Your Apparel Brand

Returns don't have to hurt your brand...they can build it.

In this short yet powerful episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel shares how returns and exchanges, especially during the busy holiday season, can be transformed into a strategic advantage for your apparel brand. Instead of dreading post-holiday returns, learn how to handle them for quality data, improve your customer service touchpoints, and build brand loyalty.

Rachel walks through how to handle customer feedback (the good and the brutal), why you should never chase perfection for everyone, and how to create a customer experience that leaves people talking, in a good way.

Whether you're deep in the return season or planning for next year, this episode will shift your mindset and help you lead with confidence.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Returns and Exchanges

00:31 Holiday Returns: Turning Stress into Opportunity

01:56 Collecting Valuable Feedback

03:13 Handling Sizing and Fit Issues

07:18 Quality Concerns and Customer Preferences

08:51 Creating a Positive Customer Service Experience

11:35 Conclusion

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.

Wholesale 101: Is Your Apparel Brand Ready to Sell to Boutiques?

Are you ready to sell your apparel line into wholesale? Before you jump into boutiques and department stores, make sure your pricing is solid...or risk losing money fast.

In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel breaks down the essentials of launching a wholesale strategy the smart way. From understanding keystone pricing and margin structure to the nitty-gritty of salesman samples and development timelines, this is your crash course in Wholesale 101.

Whether you're scaling from DTC (Direct to Consumer) or building a blended retail model, this episode helps you avoid costly mistakes and confidently step into the wholesale game, with your numbers in check.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Wholesale Selling

00:29 Personal Update

00:57 Understanding Wholesale Pricing

02:44 The Salesman Sample Process

04:33 Masterclass and Membership Introduction

09:43 Final Tips and Best Practices

19:55 Conclusion and Contact Information

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.

Post-BFCM Profits | How to Decode Your Data & Boost 2026 Sales

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, but your most important work is just beginning. If you're only looking at total sales, you're missing the bigger picture. This episode of the Business of Apparel Podcast breaks down how to actually read your BFCM data so you can scale smarter, not just harder.

Rachel is also diving into what to do after the madness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Discover why focusing on gross sales alone is a costly mistake and how to analyze the data in your CRM, ad accounts, and customer base to optimize for real profitability and retention.

Rachel walks us through the metrics that matter most, from profit margins, CAC, and AOV to customer segmentation and product performance. Whether you crushed it or feel like you barely made it through, this is your guide to making better, data-driven decisions for your apparel brand going into 2026.

Plus, Rachel shares a sneak peek at a free 3-day Black Friday planning workshop coming in August 2026!

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Post-Black Friday Data

00:27 Analyzing Black Friday and Cyber Monday Data

02:34 Understanding Profit Margins and Sales Strategies

04:39 Masterclass and Advanced Strategies

05:14 Key Metrics: AOV and CAC

08:04 Inventory and Product Analysis

10:47 Customer Segmentation and Retention

12:14 Marketing Performance and Ad Analysis

15:43 Engaging New Customers and UGC

19:43 Upcoming Workshops and Final Thoughts

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 Create an Unboxing Experience That Builds Brand Loyalty

Your packaging is more than just a box, it's your brand's first physical impression. If you're not thinking about it early, you're risking delays, legal issues, and missed opportunities to connect with your customer.

In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel breaks down why your apparel brand's unboxing experience could be the secret weapon for brand loyalty, customer retention, and operational efficiency. From mandatory care content labels to QR code innovation and sustainable packaging, Rachel walks through every detail you need to consider. If you've ever been caught off guard by last-minute packaging decisions, or haven't considered them at all, this episode will change the way you think about and develop your brand..

Key Moments:

00:26 The Importance of Packaging in Apparel

00:51 Challenges in Packaging Development

02:49 Creating a Memorable Unboxing Experience

04:01 Care Content Labels: A Must-Have

05:50 Masterclass: Secrets Behind Billion Dollar Apparel Brands

07:02 Alternative Care Instructions Methods

09:15 Global Care Label Requirements

13:16 Hang Tags: More Than Just Labels

17:53 The Board: Your Strategic Advantage

19:11 Tissue Paper and Bags: The Debate

22:50 Boxes: A Premium Packaging Option

25:13 Making Packaging Special

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.

5 Hard Truths That Transformed My Apparel Business in 2025

Let's talk real growth...the kind that hurts a little but changes everything.

In this special Thanksgiving episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel gets real about the top five lessons she's grateful for in 2025. From massive revenue wins to painful misalignments, she walks us through the hard truths and breakthroughs that reshaped her mindset, team dynamics, client strategy, and leadership.

This is not just a gratitude episode, it's a blueprint for clarity, scale, and sustainable success in your apparel brand. Tune in for the emotional honesty, tactical details, and CEO perspective that defines The Business of Apparel.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to The Business of Apparel Podcast

00:13 Thanksgiving Reflections and Traditions

01:10 Gratitude and Community Appreciation

02:42 Top Lessons Learned in 2025

05:01 Masterclass and Scaling Secrets

05:36 Client Experiences and Business Growth

08:03 Delegation and Team Empowerment

10:49 Understanding and Managing Client Relationships

13:32 Personal Responsibility and Client Engagement

19:08 Clearing Clutter for a Clear Mind

22:46 Year-End Reflections and Future Plans

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.

Come With Me to Do A Live Press Briefing for The Business of Apparel and Unmarked Street!

From corporate burnout to leading an apparel education movement — Rachel goes completely off-script in this special live press briefing episode!

For the first time ever on the show, Rachel is joined by Ella Ripley Rodriguez, Unmarked Street and Business of Apparel's marketing assistant, to flip the script and walk her through an unscripted, behind-the-scenes press interview. You'll hear Rachel's raw reflections on leaving a high-paying fashion job, starting her own agency, and building The Business of Apparel into the go-to mentorship platform for serious apparel founders.

Rachel and Ella go into everything from the most common mistakes startup brands make, to leadership lessons, to why she believes slow growth is the key to real sustainability.

If you're building an apparel brand or even just dreaming about it, this episode is not to be missed!

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to the Business of Apparel Podcast

00:13 Special Announcements and Meet Ella

01:37 Rachel's Career Journey

02:36 The Birth of Unmarked Street and Business of Apparel

04:45 Unique Value of Business of Apparel

06:28 Masterclass and Mentorship Programs

07:57 Advice for Aspiring Apparel Entrepreneurs

12:17 Challenges and Leadership Lessons

21:44 Community and Mentorship Importance

30:03 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

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 Smart Way to Offer Black Friday Discounts Without Killing Your Margins

Slashing prices this Black Friday? Stop and listen to this first. If you're discounting without a margin strategy, you're sabotaging your brand. Here's how to sell smarter.

In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel is getting into the nitty gritty of strategic discounting, helping apparel founders avoid the biggest profit-killing mistake of the holiday season. Whether you're running markdowns on dead stock or bundling bestsellers, this episode walks you through how to use your line planning worksheet (grab yours at https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/gift) to calculate margins and protect your bottom line. Rachel shares her color-coded margin system, what numbers to target for DTC (Direct-to-Consumer) vs. wholesale, and how to avoid falling into the red zone.

Get ready to make this season not just busy, but profitable!

How to Build Your Line Plan Podcast Episode: https://youtu.be/6hzqe8DI5dc

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Business of Apparel Podcast

00:12 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Strategies

01:18 Strategic Discounting for Inventory Management

04:48 Understanding Profit Margins

05:25 Masterclass and Membership Introduction

13:53 Final Tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

17:09 Conclusion

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.

Your Black Friday and Cyber Monday Playbook: How Apparel Brands Can Win Without Slashing Prices

BFCM (Black Friday Cyber Monday) doesn't have to mean burning your margins or chasing discount chaos. This episode of The Business of Apparel gives you a smarter, more profitable path.

Today, Rachel talks about creating a sustainable, profitable strategy for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Whether you're stocked and ready or still catching up, this playbook is your essential guide, ranging from inventory planning to messaging, email workflows, gift guides, and post-sale engagement strategies. We also cover what to do if you're choosing not to participate in BFCM and how to own that narrative with integrity and positivity.

This isn't about doing what everyone else is doing. It's about doing what works for your brand.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- BFCM logistics & inventory planning

- Alternatives to deep discounting

- Crafting intentional messaging & policies

- Email marketing and automation ideas

- Gift guides, style guides, and bundling

- Planning now for next year's success

- Navigating BFCM if you opt out

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.

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.