Fashion Friday Q&A | Your Questions Answered

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Welcome to Designers, Plans, and Coffee Podcast! If you’re passionate about fashion, design, and entrepreneurship, you’re in for a treat. We’ll dive into a recent episode where Naima, Zahiyya, and LaTisha, the dynamic trio behind the podcast, share their experiences, insights, and advice for aspiring designers and entrepreneurs in the fashion industry.  

Starting the Business: Passion, Creativity, and More:

  The podcast kicks off with a crucial piece of advice from Naima – “don’t quit your day job until your business starts to pay for itself.” This sets the tone for a discussion on how each of the hosts started their journey into the fashion business.   Zahiyya and LaTisha emphasize the role of passion in fueling their creativity. For Zahiyya, it all began with a personal need – not liking what she had to wear, which led her to learn sewing. LaTisha, on the other hand, discovered her passion for sewing and design while solving problems in the industry, ultimately transitioning into teaching and more.   Naima shares her perspective, highlighting the synergy between passion, creativity, and the business. She believes that your passion will always fuel your business, emphasizing that starting a business requires genuine love and investment in what you do.  

Evolution of Passion:

  The conversation delves into how the hosts’ passions evolved over time. Zahiyya explains how her passion for sewing led her into other aspects of design, such as textile and screen printing. LaTisha emphasizes her role as a problem solver, constantly learning and evolving in the fashion industry.   Zahiyya’s journey showcases the dynamic nature of passion, with sewing becoming a means to an end – a way to bring her designs to life. The hosts collectively stress the importance of adapting and expanding your skill set as your business evolves.  

Finding Your Niche and Ideal Customer:

  The trio advises aspiring entrepreneurs to understand their niche and identify their ideal customer. LaTisha stresses the need to create a customer profile, emphasizing that not everyone is your customer. This knowledge is crucial for shaping your business strategy and tailoring your offerings to a specific audience.   They recommend researching where your ideal customers shop and understanding your competitors. This knowledge helps in crafting effective marketing strategies and pricing your products appropriately.  

Preparing for a Craft-Based Business:

  The hosts share valuable insights into preparing for a craft-based business. Naima advises distinguishing between a business and a hobby, while Zahiyya stresses the importance of understanding the structure of your business, especially if you’re selling physical products online.   They delve into the significance of collecting emails, the importance of an email list, and the necessity of registering your business appropriately. Practical advice on taxes, structuring pricing, and preparing for different sales channels adds depth to this comprehensive discussion.  

Starting Your Business – Pop-ups, Websites, and Word of Mouth:

  The podcast hosts discuss their diverse approaches to starting their businesses. Zahiyya recalls a time before social media dominance, relying on word of mouth. Naima shares her experience with pop-ups and the gradual shift towards online platforms as the internet gained popularity.   LaTisha’s unique journey involves word of mouth and teaching seminars, showcasing that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to starting a fashion business. They highlight the power of word of mouth, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and personal connections.  

Promoting, Running, and Maintaining Your Business:

  The hosts wrap up the episode by sharing what has worked well for them in promoting, running, and maintaining their businesses. They unanimously agree on the effectiveness of word of mouth, emphasizing the importance of testimonials and referrals.   Zahiyya suggests implementing a referral system, while Naima advises being your own brand ambassador until you can afford to hire one. LaTisha shares the power of exposure, citing examples of lending items for photoshoots and doing makeovers for church groups.   The Designers, Plans, and Coffee Podcast provides a refreshing and candid look into the fashion industry, offering practical advice, personal anecdotes, and valuable insights for aspiring designers and entrepreneurs. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your fashion business to the next level, this podcast is a must-listen. Subscribe on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform to stay updated on their weekly episodes. Stay inspired, stay stylish, and keep brewing those plans over a cup of coffee with the Designers, Plans, and Coffee Podcast!

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