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This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

The Business of Apparel

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by Rachel Erickson

4.3(6 reviews)

181 episodes

Updated Daily

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Podcast Authority

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ExcellentBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality98

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YouTube86

Engagement68

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Podcast Overview

Go from overwhelmed apparel founder making costly trial-and-error decisions to a founder with the expert guidance, systems, and industry knowledge to scale profitably. Rachel Erickson brings her 20 years of expertise in the apparel manufacturing industry to The Business of Apparel podcast to inspire you to build your best brand yet. Each week, you'll hear from Rachel along with our industry experts who are shedding light on what is needed to build your own apparel line from scratch or to take your existing apparel brand to the next level and create sustainable and unstoppable growth. Most founders "wing it" through launch & production, but scaling requires professional processes. On the show you'll learn: ✅Profit-First Scaling: Financial architecture that protects your margins ✅Production Excellence: Mastering fit, quality control, and factory relationships ✅Operational Systems: Industry SOPs so your business can run without you ✅Strategic Guidance: Real-world advice from experts with decades of experience No BS. Just proven frameworks you need to grow your brand. Follow the show so you don't miss an episode! Learn more from Rachel at TheBusinessofApparel.com/masterclasses and connect with her on Instagram @BusinessofApparel

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Recent Episodes

August 6, 2026

3 Female Founders Tell All: The Truth About Scaling Your Own Agency

Leaving the security of a steady paycheck to build your own apparel business is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. The uncertainty of replacing your income, finding clients, and giving up traditional benefits can feel overwhelming, but the freedom, flexibility, and opportunity to build a business on your own terms can make it one of the most rewarding decisions you'll ever make. In this episode, I sit down with two former colleagues and friends, Sarah White and Kayla Clarot, to talk about our journeys from the corporate apparel world into running our own businesses. We share the lessons we learned working in a high-pressure environment, how those experiences shaped our leadership styles, and why creating businesses rooted in collaboration, flexibility, and kindness has become our mission. 📝 Today We're Covering: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Why leaving a corporate career can be the catalyst for building a business that fits your life and values</li> <li class="li1">How high-pressure work environments can develop leadership skills that translate into entrepreneurship</li> <li class="li1">Why collaboration works better than competition to create a strong business</li> <li class="li1">How to lead with honesty, kindness, and clear communication while building a healthy team culture</li> <li class="li1">Why balancing ambition with your physical and mental well-being leads to more sustainable success</li> </ul> Whether you're wondering if it's time to pursue your own apparel business or you're looking for encouragement as you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, this conversation will remind you that your past experiences can become your greatest advantage in building a company on your own terms. ➡️ Connect with Sarah and Kayla: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Sarah: <a href= "https://www.theoutdoormerchant.com/">https://www.theoutdoormerchant.com/</a></li> <li class="li1">Kayla: <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-clarot-58351b97/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-clarot-58351b97/</a></li> </ul> ➡️ Connect with Rachel: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Subscribe to the Apparel Founder's Boardroom Notes on Substack: <a href= "https://substack.com/@businessofapparel">https://substack.com/@businessofapparel</a></li> <li class="li1">Get in touch here: <a href= "http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact">http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact</a></li> <li class="li1">Connect on LinkedIn: <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/</a></li> </ul> 🤝 Meet Rachel: Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, she sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year. After decades working inside major fashion companies, she learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting. Rachel helps founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, Rachel will join you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.

July 30, 2026

You're a Designer, Not a CEO (And It's Costing You)

Stepping into the role of CEO requires more than designing great products. It means shifting your mindset from working in your apparel brand to leading and growing it. Learning to delegate, trust your team, and focus on the bigger picture is what creates the foundation for long-term success. As I work to better understand the financial data behind my own business, build stronger leadership skills, and expand my team, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to transition from product designer to business owner. I explain why hiring before you feel ready, investing in expert guidance, and creating systems that empower your team can help you break through the growth ceiling that many apparel founders face. 📝 Today We're Covering: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Why thinking of yourself as a product designer instead of a CEO can hold your business back</li> <li class="li1">How hiring and delegating create more opportunities for growth and profitability</li> <li class="li1">Why learning your business numbers is essential, even if finance isn't your strength</li> <li class="li1">How to build a leadership team that can grow alongside your apparel brand</li> <li class="li1">Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, when scaling your company</li> </ul> If you're still trying to wear multiple hats in your business, this episode will help you shift your mindset, embrace your role as CEO, and create a business that can grow beyond what you could accomplish on your own. ➡️ Your Next Steps: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Subscribe to the Apparel Founder's Boardroom Notes on Substack: <a href= "https://substack.com/@businessofapparel">https://substack.com/@businessofapparel</a></li> <li class="li1">Get in touch with me here: <a href= "http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact">http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact</a></li> <li class="li1">Join The Board here: <a href= "https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join">https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join</a></li> </ul> ‼️ Don't Miss These Episodes: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Wholesale 101: <a href= "https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE">https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE</a></li> <li class="li1">Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: <a href= "https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw">https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw</a></li> <li class="li1">Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business: <a href= "https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao">https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao</a></li> </ul> 🤝 Meet Rachel: Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, she sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year. After decades working inside major fashion companies, she learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting. Rachel helps founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, Rachel will join you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading. Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn at <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/</a> and visit her website at <a href= "http://www.unmarkedstreet.com/">www.unmarkedstreet.com</a>.

July 23, 2026

Why "Selling Out" Could Actually Bankrupt Your Brand

Bringing investors into your apparel brand might seem like the fastest path to growth, but the wrong investment, or the wrong strategy, can put everything you've built at risk. In this episode we're breaking down why many apparel founders make costly mistakes after raising capital and explain how to use investment dollars strategically to build a stronger, more profitable business. We discuss why investing in education, hiring the right team, and testing products before scaling leads to better long-term results, while also exploring the dangers of chasing rapid growth and partnering with investors whose values don't align with your brand. 📝 Today We're Covering: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Why raising investment capital isn't always the right move for apparel brands</li> <li class="li1">The smartest ways to invest funding to support sustainable growth</li> <li class="li1">Why buying more inventory too soon can hurt your business</li> <li class="li1">How to use product testing before scaling your apparel line</li> <li class="li1">The risks of partnering with investors who don't share your brand values</li> </ul> Whether you're considering outside investment or simply planning your next stage of growth, this episode offers practical guidance to help you make smarter financial decisions to protect your brand and build a business that lasts. ➡️ Your Next Steps: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Subscribe to the Apparel Founder's Boardroom Notes on Substack: <a href="https://substack.com/@businessofapparel" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-card="true" data-test= "link-preview-plain" data-via= "editor comment">https://substack.com/@businessofapparel</a></li> <li class="li1">Get in touch with me here: <a href= "http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact">http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact</a></li> <li class="li1">Join The Board here: <a href= "https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join">https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join</a></li> </ul> ‼️ Don't Miss These Episodes: <ul class="ul1"> <li class="li1">Wholesale 101: <a href= "https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE">https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE</a></li> <li class="li1">Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: <a href= "https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw">https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw</a></li> <li class="li1">Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business: <a href= "https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao">https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao</a></li> </ul> 🤝 Meet Rachel: Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, she sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year. After decades working inside major fashion companies, she learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting. Rachel helps founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, Rachel will join you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading. Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn at <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/</a> and visit her website at <a href= "http://www.unmarkedstreet.com/">www.unmarkedstreet.com</a>.

181 total episodes available

Recent guests on The Business of Apparel

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Brian Finnerty

Guest

Natalie Hamilton

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Anna Triponel

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Christine Lindebak

Guest

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What is The Business of Apparel?: Go from overwhelmed apparel founder making costly trial-and-error decisions to a founder with the expert guidance, systems, and industry knowledge to scale profitably.

Rachel Erickson brings her 20 years of expertise in the apparel manufacturing industry to The Business of Apparel podcast to inspire you to build your best brand yet. Each week, you'll hear from Rachel along with our industry experts who are shedding light on what is needed to build your own apparel line from scratch or to take your existing apparel brand to the next level and create sustainable and unstoppable growth.

Most founders "wing it" through launch & production, but scaling requires professional processes.

On the show you'll learn: ✅Profit-First Scaling: Financial architecture that protects your margins ✅Production Excellence: Mastering fit, quality control, and factory relationships ✅Operational Systems: Industry SOPs so your business can run without you ✅Strategic Guidance: Real-world advice from experts with decades of experience

No BS. Just proven frameworks you need to grow your brand. Follow the show so you don't miss an episode!

Learn more from Rachel at TheBusinessofApparel.com/masterclasses and connect with her on Instagram @BusinessofApparel
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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