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. 

 

Celebrating Apparel Entrepreneurs Who Are Crushing It!  4 Inspiring Success Stories from The Board

What happens when you combine real-world industry expertise with dedicated, determined apparel entrepreneurs? You get results that blow expectations out of the water.

In this special celebration episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel spotlights four Board members who are making incredible progress in their apparel brands. From launching collections and saving tens of thousands of dollars, to building confident relationships with manufacturers and bravely sharing their journeys on social media, these stories prove that with the right guidance, mentorship, and community, anything is possible.

Whether you’re starting from zero or scaling an established brand, you’ll find real lessons, motivation, and a healthy dose of insider fashion industry reality in these success stories.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- Real-world wins from The Board’s mentorship program

- Building manufacturer relationships with confidence

- Going from years of stalled progress to a successful launch

- How strategic decisions can save tens of thousands in startup costs

- The apparel industry’s “secretive” nature and why newcomers struggle

 

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 Create A Capsule Wardrobe Strategy: Save Time, Make Money & End Closet Stress

In this week's episode of The Business of Apparel, Rachel is hitting pause on the heavy stuff and diving into something fun, practical, and surprisingly profitable: the capsule wardrobe.

Rachel shares how a well-curated closet can help you eliminate decision fatigue, stop overspending, and even earn money through smart resale and donation strategies. Learn why what size on your clothing label doesn’t matter, and how building a functional, stylish wardrobe can free up mental space for more important business decisions.

Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, fashion professional, or just someone tired of closet chaos, this episode will help you take control of your wardrobe AND your time.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- What is a capsule wardrobe?

- How to save and earn money with your closet

- Decision fatigue is REAL for business owners

- Donation tracking for tax purposes

- Resale tools like ThredUp

- How to organize a rotating outfit system

 

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. 

 

5 Critical Mistakes Successful Fashion Brands Never Make (Do These Instead!)

In this powerful episode of The Business of Apparel, Rachel is flipping the usual script. Instead of talking about what you should do to grow a fashion business, we're diving into what mistakes successful apparel brands absolutely avoid. From product development to customer targeting, Rachel walks us through the five most common mistakes that new brands fall into, and how top-performing companies steer clear of them.

You'll learn why selling to everyone is a recipe for burnout, why launching with 10+ items could crush your budget, and how ignoring technical fit is silently killing your customer retention. We’ll also cover the real consequences of skipping contracts and the power of cutting underperforming styles. Whether you're building your first product line or looking to scale, this is a must-hear masterclass on building a focused, profitable brand.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- Importance of defining and marketing to a single ideal customer

- Why successful fashion brands start with no more than three products

- Case studies: Nike, Spanx, and how they started with just one item

- How poor garment fit leads to lost customers and missed revenue

- Legal and financial risks of skipping documentation in production

 

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. 

 

Losing Top Clients and Refocusing? Behind the Scenes of A Pivot in Business

In this behind-the-scenes episode of The Business of Apparel, Rachel is pulling back the curtain on a major transition at Unmarked Street. After losing two of our top-paying clients, months earlier than expected, we’re doubling down on what lights us up: building our annual membership community. Rachel walks you through the mindset shift, the tough team conversations, and the intentional reallocation of resources as we align our entire company around serving startup and plateaued apparel brands through our advisory membership.

You'll hear the raw truth about navigating financial uncertainty, why we believe in coaching even in a down economy, and how we’re strategically planning around best-case, worst-case, and realistic cashflow scenarios. If you’ve ever had to pivot hard in your business or felt the emotional weight of leadership, this episode offers both transparency and real-time advice to help you weather those moments.

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

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- Behind-the-scenes look at a major business transition

- The emotional and financial impact of losing two top-paying clients

- Worst-case scenario financial planning

- Reassessing subscriptions, expenses, and marketing strategies

- How to stay committed to your mission while adjusting your operations

- Practical steps to analyze cash flow, set new sales targets, and maintain profitability

 

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. 

 

EP 125 - Tariffs Are Crushing Apparel Margins: How to Survive & Thrive in 2025’s Tough Economy

How will tariffs affect your apparel business?  Are you prepared to not just survive, but THRIVE in this economy?

In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel takes an unplanned but essential detour to talk about the escalating impact of tariffs on apparel brands, and what you must do to prepare. From 10% import fees threatening wholesale margins to predictions of even steeper tariff hikes, Rachel shares why ignoring these trends could cost you your business. She also breaks down the ripple effect across industries like construction and retail and explains why now is the time to revisit your worst-case financial scenarios.

You’ll also learn actionable steps to protect your margins, re-evaluate your cost structures, and build a resilient mindset to lead your team through economic uncertainty. Finally, Rachel discusses how betting on yourself, committing to continuous learning, and joining a supportive community can mean the difference between closing your doors or scaling when the market recovers.

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

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- Why Even “Small” Tariffs (10–15%) Are Crushing Wholesale Profitability

- Predictions of Additional Tariff Increases and Economic Strain

- The Importance of Recalculating Worst-Case Financial Scenarios

- The Necessity of Mental Fortitude and Betting on Yourself as a Founder

- Why Continuous Learning and Community Are Critical to Survival

 

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. 

 

Double Your Apparel Brand’s Revenue by Doing Half the Work | The Power of SKU Rationalization

Are you burning out your team and draining your profits by offering too many products?  Did you know you can actually double your revenue by doing less?

In this episode of The Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel explains the strategy of SKU rationalization, the proven process of reducing your product line to focus on what actually sells. Learn why trimming your assortment can double (or even triple) your revenue without piling on more work or marketing expense.

We break down the step-by-step approach to identifying your losing SKUs, weeding out the waste in your inventory, and setting your business up for sustainable growth, even if you’re a small startup. Plus, discover how a single decision took one brand from $25 million to $60 million in sales. Don’t forget to register for our upcoming SKU Rationalization Workshop, taking place on Friday, July 25th at 1:30pm EST, where you’ll learn how to implement this process inside your own brand.

Sign up for the SKU Rationalization Workshop here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/sku

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- What SKU rationalization is and why it matters

- How to identify your winning and losing SKUs

- The impact of too many products on your team and customers

- The “weeding out the waste” analogy for product lines

- Details of the upcoming SKU Rationalization Workshop

 

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. 

 

Unmarked Street vs. The Business of Apparel: What’s the Difference? Behind the Scenes

Have you ever wondered what really separates Unmarked Street from The Business of Apparel?

In this episode of the Business of Apparel Podcast, Rachel pulls back the curtain and breaks down the purpose and vision behind her two companies, and how they each can help you grow and protect your apparel business. Sparked by a question from the community, Rachel shares the story of why she left corporate after burnout and illness to launch Unmarked Street as a consulting agency dedicated to helping brands master product development, technical design, and business growth.

Then, Rachel goes into how The Business of Apparel was born from her passion for education and mentorship, offering courses, templates, and memberships to empower entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge that billion-dollar brands use every day. If you’re considering freelancing, building an apparel line, or simply curious about how to structure multiple brands, this episode is full of value you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- The meaning behind the name “Unmarked Street”

- Our transition from freelancing to building an agency team

- How Unmarked Street helps clients with product development, technical design, and business growth

- What The Business of Apparel offers: courses, templates, memberships

- Real-life client success stories and examples of saved costs

 

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. 

 

Christine Lindebak on Why You Should Start Your Apparel Brand Before You’re Ready

Curious how a career in luxury fashion can evolve into a thriving sewing education and sustainable apparel brand?

In this episode of Business of Apparel, Rachel welcomes Christine Lindebak (from 🇪🇸 Spain), founder of Sewing in the City and her slow fashion label Lindy, Lindy. Discover how Christine turned a childhood passion into a successful online sewing academy, turned vintage linens into one-of-a-kind garments, and mastered the art of balancing creativity and strategy through smart time-blocking and local production.

Hear Christine’s best advice for aspiring apparel entrepreneurs: from testing custom-first models and launching soft drops, to embracing imperfection and sharing your messy early journey on social media. Whether you're building your first piece or scaling a brand, Christine’s story is packed with inspiration and practical advice to help you get started — sooner and smarter.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- Transition from corporate fashion to entrepreneurship

- Time-blocking, batching content, and energy-based productivity

- Benefits of a custom-first business model with local production

- Advice for startup apparel brand owners

- Encouragement to start before everything is perfect

 

Connect with Christine:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sewingandthecity/

Websites: https://sewingandthecity.com and https://lindylindy.com

 

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.