The Business of Apparel

40 to 40 Series, Week 3: Our Childfree by Choice Story In today's episode, Rachel is going a little deeper in the 40 to 40 Series and approaching the subject she and her husband rarely, if ever, talk about publicly…the decision to be Childfree by choice.  Together with her husband Kyle, Rachel navigated the realm of societal expectations and internal struggles to make a conscious decision that ali...

40 to 40 Series, Week 2: You Can Take the Girl Out of the Midwest, but You Can't Take the Midwest Out of the Girl In today's episode, Rachel is continuing the 40 to 40 series with an intimate exploration of how her Midwest upbringing and large family dynamics have shaped her journey as a fashion entrepreneur. Growing up in Ohio with a strong German Catholic background and a very large family, remi...

40 to 40 Series, Week 1: Confessions! In today's episode, Rachel is embarking on a special six-week "40 to 40 Countdown" series to celebrate her 40th birthday! In this inaugural episode, Rachel candidly shares her journey of overcoming discomfort with social media and highlighting her commitment to honesty, as it is consistently one of her most treasured values. She bravely opens up about personal...

On the Move: Our Crazy Moving Stories from Over the Years, Part 2 In today's episode, Rachel is continuing the journey with part 2 of the On the Move series.  This unique series features part 1 of the crazy moving stories from over the years, beginning with just before the Great Recession all the way up to right before this last move in the last episode. Part 2 covers the recent epic move from Cal...

On the Move: Our Crazy Moving Stories from Over the Years, Part 1 In today's episode, Rachel has got us wondering…where in the world is Rachel!?  This unique series features part 1 of the crazy moving stories from over the years, beginning with just before the Great Recession all the way up to right before this last move JUST made (stay tuned for part 2). We'll also talk about the latest transform...

Don't Just Survive, Learn How to Thrive in Your Apparel Business! In today's episode, Rachel is showing us that it is absolutely possible to thrive in the apparel industry during challenging economic times. She doesn't hold back on the real struggles—and welcomes triumphs, of running an apparel business. Even as Rachel enters her third year at Unmarked Street, making great money doesn't necessaril...

How Unmarked Street Does It Differently: Tips to Avoid Burnout In today's episode, Rachel is addressing a chronic issue in the apparel industry, burnout. Unmarked Street is leading the charge in creating healthier work environments by setting clear boundaries and recognizing what truly matters. You'll hear practical tips like avoiding work apps on personal devices and maintaining meaningful commun...

Crossing the Goal Line: From Corporate to Consulting with Prashanth Peketi In today's episode, Rachel is sitting down for a chat with Prashanth Paketi, an experienced project manager and consultant who has worked with corporate giants like Adidas and Nike, to share his career journey and insights from the world of apparel. Prashanth takes us through his fascinating transition from Ohio to Germany,...

Best Of: The Top 3 Business of Apparel Podcast Episodes In today's episode, Rachel is giving us something a little unique.  We've compiled the top 3 performing Business of Apparel Podcast episodes for you!  This episode includes snippets of the following episodes: -International vs. Domestic Manufacturing, What You Need to Think About -Light the Fire in Your Apparel Business vs. Putting the Fire O...

On the Way to Hellville: My Brandy Melville Documentary Review In today's episode, Rachel is putting a twist on the subject of sustainability and fast fashion by offering her review of a popular HBO MAX documentary, Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion.  Having spent her fair share of time in the trenches of manufacturing with Abercrombie & Fitch, the exclusive yet criticized world of brand...

How to Play The Office Politics Game In today's episode, Rachel diving right into corporate office politics and in the industry of apparel, Rachel has learned a thing or two about securing that next promotion or pay raise. It's a journey layered with challenges and requires a combination of strategy, education, and sometimes defensive measures when things go haywire. Rachel goes into how to distin...

Tailoring to Modern Moms in The Apparel Industry with Magda Lasota In today's episode, Rachel is chatting with the very talented, Magda Lasota, the force behind MLM Brand!  When Magda traded her corporate badge for the entrepreneurial rollercoaster, she didn't just start a business; she sparked a movement for mothers in the workplace.  Magda recounts her evolution from a new mom in the corporate g...

Clean Out the Proverbial Closet: My Small Wardrobe is On Purpose! In today's episode, Rachel is addressing the digital trolls, encouraging us to clean out our proverbial closets by way of realizing that focusing on the negative comments is worthless, and the reasons why her wardrobe is intentionally small. Rachel shares real strategies to brush off the most unwelcome of digital feedback—yes, even...

Girl Math: Shatter the Stigma and Make It Work For You In today's episode, Rachel is approaching the ever-so-popular subject of Girl Math, the stereotype along with it and how to make it work FOR you.  We are reclaiming the term as a symbol of women's financial acumen. Rachel describes how, *gasp,* women are actually good with numbers! We will touch on Nicole Lapin's empowering reads and we naviga...

How to Train for Running A Successful Business with Martha Schoenewe In today's episode, Rachel is sitting down with Martha Schoenewe, the creative force behind Tangent Tees, who joins us to weave her personal narrative of overcoming doubt to become a staunch advocate for runners and human beings of every shape and size. We will discover the vibrancy of community and empowerment that color Martha'...

Grade Rules vs. Body Size Charts In today's episode, Rachel is addressing a topic that's been garnering some questions from clients and social media followers, Grade Rules and how they're different from Body Size Charts. Knowing this difference is a crucial aspect for any apparel brand looking to ensure their clothing fits their customers just right. Rachel goes through the distinctions between bo...

Let's Nerd Out on Cycling Apparel! In today's episode, Rachel is taking us on a ride through the exciting world of cycling and apparel! With Rache's background as a triathlete and experiences from a cycling-enthusiastic environment, we are bringing to light the importance of proper gear in this super-niche yet fascinating sport. We'll also go through Rachel's triathlon training to the nuances of d...

Light the Fire in Your Apparel Business vs. Putting the Fire Out with Yushkova Design Founder, YAY In today's special episode, Rachel chats with industry maven Yevgeniya Yushkova, known to the industry as YAY.. With over two decades of apparel industry experience and a boutique approach to client relations, YAY articulates the unique challenges and successes that come with scaling strategies down...

The Values That Define Who We Are In today's episode, Rachel opens up about a recent personal discovery based on a VIA (Values In Action) test that she took and how it led her to understand her true values. We reflect on the wealth of roles Rachel embraced in the industry, from technical design to product management, and how these varied experiences now empower the brands and corporations we suppo...

International vs. Domestic Manufacturing, What You Need To Think About In today's episode, Rachel is exploring the nuanced debate of international versus domestic apparel manufacturing. Drawing from Rachel's extensive experience, we tackle the pressing question of which manufacturing route is best for your apparel brand. We dig into the complexities of cost comparisons, not just focusing on base u...

Getting Into Details About Project Management Certification In today's special episode, Rachel is shining light on the benefits of project management skills, specifically Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification in the apparel industry. We get into the details about what exactly PMP is and why it can bring value to your career and business. Rachel's evolution at Specialized serves as a...

In today's special episode, Rachel takes us through the crucial process of hiring for success in apparel brands. Rachel shares how she crafted a dream team by connecting with former colleagues, stressing the value of nurturing a supportive and family-like work environment. At Unmarked Street, Rachel lays out her strategy for recognizing when it's time to bring in additional help to sustain growth,...

In today's special episode, Rachel reflects on the insights she's gained from a 20-year career in the corporate world, especially when it comes to climbing the ladder with promotions and raises. It's a journey that demands more than just showing up – it's about ambition, curiosity, and a proactive mindset. I open up about the misconceptions that growth opportunities are a given and how demonstrati...

In today's special episode, Rachel is thrilled to welcome back the trailblazer in size-inclusivity, Raquel Vélez! As we reflect on the ever-evolving fashion landscape, Raquel's insights into the shift from body positivity to body neutrality are not only timely but revolutionary. She eloquently dissects the sensitive nature of industry jargon, advocating for language that uplifts without alienating...

Celebrating One Year of Podcasting! In today's episode, we celebrate an incredible milestone – a full year of the Business of Apparel podcast and Rachel is reflecting on the journey! We've weathered the ups and downs of the apparel industry in 2023, including the loss of significant contracts. These setbacks have only fueled our commitment to resilience and growth, both for Unmarked Street and the...