The Fashion Startup
The go-to podcast for first-time founders who want to start a clothing brand and do it right. Hosted by Michelle Ramsay, The Fashion Expert® - fashion designer and startup mentor with 20 years of industry experience. Each episode covers the real startup journey - from brand foundations and product development to manufacturing, marketing, and launch. Whether you're still in the idea stage or already building, you'll find honest advice, founder stories, and expert insight to help you fast-track your fashion startup.
Episodes
Ep26: Is Starting a Fashion Brand Right for You? - Fashion Founder Prep School Part 5
Thinking about starting a fashion brand but not sure if it's really the right move for you? In this episode, I ask you to pause and honestly consider whether this path is a good fit - because it's genuinely not right for everyone, and that's okay.What you'll learn:I walk through the real reasons people start fashion brands — from spotting a gap in the market to craving a more creat
Ep25: Clothing Brand Founder Mistakes To Avoid - Fashion Founder Prep School Part 4
Thinking about starting a fashion brand? These are the mistakes I see first-time founders make again and again - and most of them are completely avoidable once you know what to look out for.After a decade working with clothing startups, I share the most common (and costly) mistakes first-time founders make - from underestimating how long it really takes to launch, to sending a factory a photo and
Ep24: Should You Build A Fashion Collection Or One Product?- Fashion Founder Prep School Part 3
Should your clothing brand launch with one hero product, or a full collection? It's one of the most common questions first-time founders ask me - and the generic "start small and build up" advice you'll find online doesn't work for every brand.I walk through how to figure out whether your fashion brand should launch with a single standout product or a small, curated collectio
Ep23: Why You Haven't Started Your Fashion Brand Yet - Fashion Founder Prep School Part 2
Have you been thinking about starting a clothing brand for months (or years) but still haven't taken the leap? In this episode of Founder Prep School, I share the three real reasons founders get stuck before they launch, and they're not the reasons you'd expect.After years of working with first-time clothing brand founders, I've found the biggest blockers aren't money or drawin
Ep22: How to Plan a Clothing Brand - Fashion Founder Prep School Part 1
Starting a clothing brand but not sure where to actually begin? In this first episode of the Founder Prep School series, I break down the one step almost every first-time fashion founder skips, and why it's the difference between a brand that lasts and one that falls apart at the first hurdle.You'll hear why planning and laying strong foundations matters more than jumping straight into design, and
Ep21: The real story of building a children's clothing brand from scratch
From first idea to first collection: the real story behind building a children's fashion brand from scratchIf you've ever thought about starting a clothing brand but had no idea where to begin - or felt that creeping doubt of "who do I think I am to do this?" - this episode is going to feel very familiar.Michelle is joined by Sabrina Campbell, founder of Solly Little, a children's nightwear brand
Ep20: The secret nobody tells you when starting a clothing brand
The secret nobody tells you when starting a clothing brandIf you're dreaming about launching a fashion brand but feel like you keep going in circles - or you've already started and something just isn't clicking - this episode is going to make a lot of things fall into place. In this solo episode, Michelle breaks down the three approaches most fashion startup founders take, why two of them lead to
Ep19: Starting A Product Led Fashion Brand | Gal Golander On Building Noosh
In this episode of The Fashion Startup, I’m joined by Gal Golander, founder and CEO of Noosh, to talk about what it really takes to start a fashion brand from scratch and build a product-led business in a competitive market. We cover product development, manufacturing, direct-to-consumer marketing, hiring, and the realities of growing a fashion startup.Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my fr
Ep18: Fashion Design That Solves Problems
Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint to see the proven steps to get started.Have you ever thought, “Someone really needs to fix this” about a product, garment or accessory that just doesn’t work the way you need it to? In this episode, I’m talking about the founders who take that thought and actually do something with it. These are the innovators who creat
Ep17: How To Launch A Petite Womenswear Brand
Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint to see the proven steps to get started.In this episode of The Fashion Startup, I’m joined by Barbara Chowaniec, founder of Fosho Petite, a Dublin-based womenswear brand creating timeless, perfectly proportioned pieces for women 145–155 cm tall. Barbara shares the real side of starting a fashion brand from scratch –
Ep16: Why Your Fashion Startup Brand Reset Is Now
Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint to see the proven steps to get started.September is the perfect reset for fashion entrepreneurs.In this episode, I explore why this month feels like a fresh start in the fashion industry and how first-time founders can harness the momentum. From overcoming self-doubt to setting clear, realistic goals, I’ll walk you th
Ep15: What Holds Fashion Startups Back With Raquel Braganza Empowerment Lifecoach
In this episode of the fashion startup I’m joined by empowerment lifecoach Raquel Braganza to talk all things mindset and what's holding you back as a fashion founder.We cover so much inspiring content such as the inner critical voice, saying yes to your dreams, waiting for that "right" time to start and overcoming fear to embrace something new.Raquel also has a special gift for you
Ep14: Branding For Fashion Startups With The Ideas Club® Agency
In this episode of the fashion startup I’m joined by branding experts Scott and Shona Watson from creative agency The Ideas Club. A Glasgow based agency helping bring creative ideas to life. The duo share some gold on choosing a brand name, how a brand identity is more than just. logo and some of the startup mistakes to avoid.You can find out more about The Ideas Club here: WEBSITE INSTA
Ep13: Wholesale For Fashion Brands With Therese From Small Business Collaborative
In this episode of the fashion startup I’m joined by retail and whoesale expert Therese Oertenblad of Small Business Collaborative who works with purpose-led, product-based business owners who want to grow their wholesale and create consistent income. Therese shares her wisdom and advice for fashion startups who want to explore the world of wholesale and we chat about how to get started and what i
Ep12: Launching A Menswear Brand With Sorsa
In this episode of the fashion startup I’m joined by founders of Sorsa menswear Sarah Jane and John who share what it’s been like for them creating their debut collection.
Having just recently launched, the duo share their struggles in the beginning, the key to unlocking those, navigating the design and manufacture process and their top tips for first time founders.
You can find out more about So
Ep11: Launching A Luxury Resortwear Brand With Lore Buta
In this episode of The Fashion Startup I’m joined by founder Loredana Buta who has recently launched the luxury resortwear collection Lore Buta.
Loredana shares her unique approach to her brand and business model, overcoming imposter syndrome as a new founder, being transparent with your collection and tips to minimising the overwhelm of starting a clothing line.
You can find out more about Lore B
Ep10: Launching An Ethical & Sustainable Fashion Brand With Sara Collins
In this episode of The Fashion Startup I’m chatting with Ethical Production Consultant Sara Collins.
We chat about what sustainability and ethical production look like to a fashion founder, some of the challenges including these practices presents to a startup and Sara shares some great tips for those just starting to launch a clothing brand.
We delve into how to have difficult conversations, what
Ep9: Launching A Luxury Womenswear Brand With Suzanne Gill
In this episode of The Fashion Startup I’m chatting with client Suzanne Gill of women’s luxury brand Vine & Moor. Suzanne is a renowned Miller who set out to create a brand of exquisitely tailored clothing that has been manufactured to the highest quality in the United Kingdom.
An elegant collection that embraces each woman’s individuality and passion.
Suzanne shares her start up journey and
Ep8: What's Really Stopping You Launching Your Fashion Brand
In this episode I'm sharing what's really holding you back from starting a fashion brand and giving you some top tips on how to move forward so you can really get started.
If you're considering starting a clothing line and you're not sure where to start you can download a free launch plan for fashion startups here
Or you can book a free and friendly chat with me to see how I c
Ep7: Starting An Adaptive Clothing Brand With Helen Clawson
Helen Clawson has a truly inspirational story surrounding her startup brand, trading her life as a former police officer to now the award-winning founder of Adaptive Clothing UK.
Discover the road she took to get there and the highs and lows of starting a fashion brand in this episode where Helen gives some valuable advice to anyone thinking about launching their own collection.
Helen shares her i
Ep6: Shopify & Klaviyo For Fashion Brands With Elle Williamson The Ecommerce Assistant
All fashion brands start out with a website, but using it effectively can be a challenge. In this episode of The Fashion Startup Show I'm joined by Elle Williamson of The Ecommerce Assistant who shares valuable tips on creating more sales online through your website and email marketing. Elle helps small business owners to create successful online stores by teaching them how to use Shopify + Kl
EP5: Marketing Your Brand With Retail Marketing Expert Loren Nally
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear when startups are launching
a brand is that marketing starts once you have a finished product. It seems that many business owners believe customers are going to magically appear knocking down their door or storming their website to buy their collection once they have that product in stock. In reality without marketing the opposite is often true which can be
EP4: Starting An Underwear Brand With Kelly Newton of Nixi Body
When a fashion startup creates a product because they have identified a gap in the market, I know the brand will succeed. And that's exactly what happened with Nixi Body underwear.
In this episode, founder Kelly Newton chats frankly about the highs and lows of her start-up journey, and shares fabulous advice for anyone thinking about launching a fashion brand.
You can find out more about Nixi
EP3: Copywriting & PR For Your Fashion Startup With Molly Gould.
Copywriting and PR can help make or break your fashion brand but is often an area surrounded by mystery for those just starting out. In this episode, I'm joined by Molly Gould founder of copywriting and PR agency Effable. Molly shares a ton of value, gives us an overview of how copywriting can help your business and reveals the top mistakes fashion brands make and how to avoid them.
You can find o
EP2: Launching A Childrenswear Range With Bibevie Founder Rhian Thompson.
What better way to find out what it's like to launch a childrenswear brand than to hear from someone who has successfully launched. In this episode, I chat with the founder of Bibevie, Rhian Thompson about her journey launching her innovative and sustainable brand. We discuss the highs and lows the best bits and some of the struggles as well as navigating manufacturing, sourcing and sustainability
EP1: Welcome To The Fashion Startup Show!
If you're thinking of launching a fashion brand then this brand new podcast is going to help you get there. In this episode, you'll find out more about me your host Michelle Ramsay - The Fashion Expert® and hear about what you can expect in this series.
There is so much goodness in store for you from real-life fashion startup stories to guest expert tips and industry advice.
I really want to inspi
