The Business of Apparel

Lessons in Teamwork and Leadership from 'Top Gun: Maverick' In this episode, Rachel has come up with a pretty cool parallel between the movie, Top Gun: Maverick and Teamwork in the apparel industry. Just like Maverick and his team of elite pilots, success in this industry demands more than just technical skill—it calls for powerful collaboration and the ability to thrive under pressure. As I share...

EP 100 - Celebrating Episode 100 with Rachel's Husband! In this episode, Rachel welcomes her husband to the podcast to help celebrate our 100th episode of the Business of Apparel!  We go from the playful dynamics of being each other's supporters—like when Rachel thought she'd be a "sugar mama"—while sharing tips for maintaining sanity and a healthy marriage. The secrets to a successful partnership...

Generational Ideas on Success, How to Grow Your Salary In this episode, Rachel is approaching the viewpoints of what salaries each generation feels is necessary to be successful and how it shapes the wildly different perceptions of financial success. The fascinating disparities in salary and net worth expectations among these age groups is staggering.  What's even more fascinating is how these fig...

3 of The Biggest Myths About The Fashion Industry In this episode, Rachel is revealing the 3 biggest myths and misconceptions like starting a line with a lot of products or making something for everyone.  There's actually a lot of bad information out there about the fashion and apparel industry that can stifle growth for new brands and fashion professionals and we're here to set the record straigh...

Behind the Scenes of Podcasting In this episode, Rachel is sharing her personal journey of starting this podcast in a way that suited her introverted nature. From choosing the right equipment to mastering camera engagement techniques, get an insider's look at the essential tools and strategies that keep the content fresh, engaging, and flowing. Consistency is key, and Rachel shares how life happen...

Goal Setting 101: How to Set Goals for 2025 Happy New Year!  In this episode, Rachel is walking us through how to set goals for 2025, and even sharing a few of her own goals with unmarked Street. Rachel also talks about her inspiration from Rachel Hollis's audiobooks and discusses the significance of envisioning long-term goals and working backward to create actionable steps. Whether you're an ent...

What to Expect in The Fashion Industry in 2025 (Happy Holidays) Happy Holidays and welcome back!  In this episode, Rachel is reflecting on personal traditions for this time of year along with goal setting and what to expect in 2025 in the fashion industry.  As we approach 2025, it's a perfect opportunity to hit the reset button, close the books on 2024, and set fresh goals for the coming year. Des...

How Much You Really Need to Save to Start An Apparel Line In this episode, Rachel answers one of the most important questions you need to know the answer to when starting an apparel line: how much do you REALLY need to save? Learn why $200,000 is a realistic figure and what that truly covers. Spoiler alert: It's all about aligning your resources, from understanding website fees to navigating taxes...

EP 93 - New Potential Tariffs, How They Will Impact the Apparel Industry In this episode, Rachel is tackling a subject that's been on everyone's minds, tariffs and what that means for businesses AND consumers. We start by unraveling the concept of duty rates, how tariffs are calculated based on the manufacturer's cost rather than the retail price, highlighting how this affects brand expenses and c...

EP 92 - Answering All of Your Apparel Sourcing Questions with Expert, Cheryl Tzeng In this episode, I'm sitting down with Cheryl Tzeng from Short Street Company to answer all of your questions about apparel sourcing! We explore the critical factors for selecting the right factory, including evaluating capabilities for your specific product type and ensuring alignment with your brand's production n...

Thanksgiving Gratitude and Being Grateful For What's Next Happy Thanksgiving!  In today's episode, Rachel is giving thanks and reflecting on her daily practice of gratitude that truly transforms her mindset, as well as expressing how grateful she is for what's coming up! Focusing on small, daily joys can lead to a more positive outlook, even when life gets tough. Recently, Rachel was inspired by t...

Chasing Revenue vs. Chasing Consistency In this episode, Rachel is aiming to shift focus from immediate revenue to long-term stability through consistency and tips on how to modify your approach. After her experience with hiring a bookkeeper and seeing how they transformed her financial management views, it helped Rachel gain perspective and remain positive, even if revenue targets for 2024 remain...

Behind the Scenes of Life As A Design Director with Megan Krajco In this episode, Rachel connects with Megan Krajco as she navigates her brand new role for Paka as a Design Director. Megan shares her nearly two-decade journey from an intern at Garnet Hill to a design director role, offering just a snapshot of the wisdom she's gained along the way. Megan's self-direction and perseverance played a p...

California's New Legislation for Apparel Sustainability In this episode, Rachel is getting into the nitty gritty about California's new legislation coming into place that focuses on apparel sustainability, AB 347 and SB 707.. These regulations are not just another legal hurdle but a driving force compelling brands to rethink their materials and processes, particularly in reducing reliance on harmf...

Embracing Empathy and Comfort Through the Apparel Business with Barely Canadian Founder, Kelly Slattery In this episode, Rachel is chatting with Kelly Slattery, the visionary co-founder of Barely Canadian, who is sharing insights from her journey on establishing a brand with a heartfelt mission. Cozy apparel is only part of the story as Kelly forges a brighter future for youth in the foster care s...

Our Community Asked, We Have Answers!  Unmarked Street Q&A with Rachel In this episode, Rachel addresses the questions asked by those in the Unmarked Street community like, How has Unmarked Street grown so fast, How have we gotten to 15,000 Instagram followers, and so much more! First, it's important to know that personal definitions of success can vary greatly.  Rachel shares her initial vision o...

Finding the Real Treasures in the Struggles with Youer Founder, Mallory Ottariano In this episode, Rachel sits down for a fascinating conversation with Mallory Ottariano about her unexpected journey into fashion entrepreneurship and the creation of her brand, Youer.. From dreaming of architecture to finding her true calling in design, Mallory's story is one of creativity, resilience, and innovatio...

Don't Make This Mistake!  The Importance of Product Ownership In this episode, Rachel is getting really passionate about the possibility of making one huge mistake…not taking ownership of your products in your apparel brand. In Rachel's 20+ years of experience in the apparel industry, she's seen and heard it all. She shares real-life stories and recent client calls that demonstrate how skipping ce...

How An Unconventional Childhood Experience Shaped A True Fashion Visionary with Crystal Cave In today's episode, Rachel has the pleasure of welcoming Crystal Cave, former celebrity stylist and entrepreneur to the podcast! Crystal is a third-generation entrepreneur with an impressive lineage in the apparel and retail world. From her grandfather's trailblazing efforts in the music industry to her ow...

Fashion Freelancer vs. High-End Consultant: How to Choose the Right Industry Professional For You Welcome back to The Business of Apparel Podcast!  In this episode, Rachel is breaking down the characteristics of both freelancers and high-end consultants in the Fashion industry, and what to think about when making this choice. There is an infectious enthusiasm to freelancers new to the industry, bu...

Jumping Into Size-Inclusive, Sustainable Fashion with Hayley Matthews-Jones In today's episode, we are back with a brand-new guest interview! This time, Rachel is chatting with Hayley Matthews-Jones, the visionary founder behind The Jump. Discover how Hayley has shaped her understanding of local economies and sustainability, and why her personal struggles with finding the perfect jumpsuit fit insp...

New Rebrand Announcement + Exciting Updates for Unmarked Street! We are so excited!!  In this episode, Rachel is announcing the new rebrand of The Business of Apparel and Unmarked Street!  You may notice a few changes as you're watching this new episode and going forward, but that's not all that's happening.  Rachel and her team have been working around the clock to bring a much-needed refresh inc...

40 to 40 Series, Week 6: Confirming and Questioning My Stance on Religion In this episode, Rachel is wrapping up the 40 to 40 series with the controversial topic of Religion.  Rachel grew up in a devout Catholic family, and was accustomed to the rituals and traditions that defined her early years—attending Catholic school, participating in weekly mass, and going through various sacraments like bap...

40 to 40 Series, Week 5: My Gender Discrimination Story In this episode, Rachel is discussing another hard-hitting topic in the 40 to 40 Series, this time…gender discrimination. Growing up, Rachel was always told that hard work would pave the way to success, but her journey in the corporate fashion industry has shown a harsher reality. Rachel shares very personal stories of confronting gender disc...

40 to 40 Series, Week 4: Adrenaline Junkie! In this episode, Rachel is taking us along for the ride in the next part of the 40 to 40 Series! What happens when a skydiving enthusiast, a Formula 1 fanatic, and a triathlete steps into the business world? Rachel is sharing the more thrilling side of her life — from the heart-pounding jump out of a plane to the high-speed excitement of following Lewis...