Today's podcast is about a a creative entrepreneur client who I met with the other day. She was stuck in PLANNING mode instead of DOING mode. She had to step out of her comfort zone (product creation) and keep marketing for Holiday sales. She didn't think she could get any more sales and didn't want to "bother" people.

With a little push (and acceptance f fear of rejection) she made 3 more sales from just one email. Bam.

The Christmas season is so crucial and people want to spend, you just have to make it easy for them. Listen to the Podcast and if you're so inclined, I'd appreciate it if you left an honest review.

- Jane

Today's guest, Erika Neumayer, went from working in her parents' living room with no sales and a crappy website to completely supporting herself with her online business in her own studio -- making a real profit. The coolest part is that Erika's niche is so tiny and unusual that it proves ANYONE can be successful in ANY niche.  

This podcast covers my checklist of what you need to have ready BEFORE you approach a retail buyer. What YOU, the creator, are thinking is not even close to the way THEY, the buyers, are thinking. When you get a chance to show your line to a retail buyer, you want to be prepared. They will NOT be patient with you if you don’t have professional looking line sheets and selling tools. If you don’t know your delivery dates, terms, pricing, and sizing info, buyers will be frustrated you may lose a chance at an order. 

Today's podcast is personal but something I really want to share with all of you. It’s about why I sold my successful, money making business when everyone thought I was crazy and what happened next. 

In today’s episode, I interview Ericka Engelman from Ericka Engelman Couture, in Carmel, CA. Ericka is SO HONEST – she even talks numbers. She tells us how much she grossed in her couture business and how much she was able to take home. She’s not shy about her struggles or her successes and she doesn’t mince words. She is a tremendous, sharing entrepreneur and I think you’re going to love her as much as I do!

This week we have a very special guest joining us. Holly is a designer and a retailer and her charming bridal shop is in Evanston, IL. Today she spills the beans about what works, what doesn't work, and what bridal designers should do to get bridal buyers interested. Holly also dishes about how she gets customers, bridal trunk shoes, who gets her orders, and much more. 

In this podcast episode we celebrate a fashion designer’s product launch. You’ll meet Monica-Lee, founder and host of Smart Creative Women, a podcast show designed to help women learn, grow, and get inspired. And now she has her own collection of clutches, accessories, and T-shirts. 

In this episode of the Jane Hamill podcast, I talk about the WRONG way to start a fashion brand. The 5 mistakes I list today are all ones I’ve made myself with my retail store and womenswear line. I really hope today’s podcast saves you some trouble – and money.

I know how difficult it can be to stay motivated when you have your own business but I also KNOW you can do it!

In this weeks episode you will learn...

Why we feel wishy-washy about work some days and how to fix it!
How to run a marathon and actually finish it (you’ll understand if you listen!)
Setting a simple goal that you actually REALLY want to make happen.
How deadlines can actually help you have more fun at work.
Long projects vs. short term projects.
Why we all need to feel connected – even in business.
Why motivation’s like taking a shower.
Negative effects of not knowing where your business is going.

So listen up and GET MOTIVATED! 

In this episode of the Fashion Brain podcast, I talk about the most common myths about launching a line of apparel or accessories. A lot of us have been Project runway-ized and think starting a business will be different than it really is. Crack these myths and you will become a more successful entrepreneur and designer! 

I’ll be the first to admit that it’s hard to think through the tough questions. Most of us would rather get started designing our awesome product than think through the details of what it means to own a business.

On this episode of the Fashion Brain podcast, we talk about what questions you need to ask yourself before you launch a fashion line (or any business, for that matter). It’s a step many of us want to skip. But I warn you… If you launch a fashion biz (and start spending money) without addressing these issues first, you’ll be sorry.

This week we’re talking about pricing your product or service with my awesome guest Tom Buford of Tome Buford marketing. And really, about the FEAR of pricing. And the voices in our heads that say… 

Who would pay that for what I do? If I price it like that even I couldn’t afford my own product! I’ll start with this low price and raise my price later after I get a following. What if nobody buys? I better price it low just in case!

All of these pricing fears are real – and they can be devastating to your business and your bottom line.

In this episode of the Fashion Brain podcast, we talk about the down-an-dirty reality of running a fashion business.

My guest is Maria Boustead, designer and founder of Po Campo. Maria designs bags that are functional and cute and she loves what she does. She shares her story about the things she wasn’t prepared for, her lucky break that turned into her worst nightmare, how her business strategy has changed, and stepping off the cliff.

She is SO HONEST in this interview – it is tremendous of her to share the real deal. No BS and no sugar coating. You are going to LOVE it! She is one of my favorite designers on the planet.

This is amazing advice for any entrepreneur, maker, or fashion designer who is looking for their lucky break. 

Ever wonder why some creative entrepreneurs succeed and others struggle?

On this episode of the Fashion Brain podcast, we talk about ALL creatives, not just fashion designers. We cover ways to sell your work, 3 things that every creative needs to do to be successful, and how to sell your work.

My guest is Paul Klein. Paul is an art mentor and he runs a 12 week online for artists to de-mystify the art world. My sister (an artist) took the class and LOVED it. She introduced me to Paul and that was my lucky day.

Paul Klein also works with TED Fellows, writes for Huffington Post and ArtLetter and ran his own cutting edge Chicago gallery for 30 years. Basically, he’s the go-to guy in Chicago when it comes to the art world.

Are you having a hard time getting your line in front of boutique buyers? Today is your lucky day.

On this episode of the Fashion Brain podcast, we talk all about calling stores, road-tripping, sales strategies, hustle, patience, and retail buyers. I’m so lucky to have the chance to interview Meredith Banzhoff – a designer who’s not afraid to share her story. She even talks about the step-by-step strategies she used to get into her first 10 retail stores.

Also check out my training course on how to sell your line to boutiques, a best seller! http://fashionbrainacademy.com/training-courses/sell-boutiques/

I know when I first started my womenswear line I was very confused about how to get an IDEA from my head turned into an actual viable product that I could sell. There’s a lot to do and you can't just Google that info up! This podcast discuss the steps to starting a successful clothing or accessory line, the biggest mistakes designers make, and what I wish I knew when I started.  

For a step by step guide to becoming a successful designer click here: http://fashionbrainacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/white-outfit-Copy-1024x731-1.jpg

Unfortunately we can't read our buyers minds. As fashion designers and entrepreneurs we need our buyers to survive. In today's podcast you'll learn what keeps a buyer from writing an order for your line, their three pet peeves about working with emerging designers, why buyers are not completely honest with you, and how to overcome buyers' objections. Get inside the buyers mind, and more importantly GET INTO THEIR STORES! 

You NEED to hear the truth.
  So you can tweak your line.
  So you can learn what (if anything) you’re doing wrong.
  So you can get the order!

I don’t think I can even count as high as the number of mistakes I made with my clothing line and retail store. I mean, I was GREEN when I started! Trial and error was just a way of life for me back then and it really cost me — in terms of time, money, and energy. Today I discuss three of my biggest mistakes to help you avoid them as a fashion designer, maker, or entrepreneur! 

Behind every business is a story. There’s a big WHY for each and every one of you, wether your a designer, maker, creator, or entrepreneur. Today’s podcast tells some of those stories and peeks behind the curtain of 14 entrepreneurs and their WHY.

For help with starting your own business and finding your WHY check out my training courses!  http://fashionbrainacademy.com/training-courses/training-courses-2/

Did you ever get a comment that left you a little stunned? The more you put yourself out there, the more feedback you’ll get. Sometimes it feels like everyone has an opinion and they’re sure to tell you. Today’s episode is all about ways to handle criticism gracefully – and even learn from it to help your fashion business. 

There is no one-size-fits-all way to sell when it comes to fashion. As makers, designers, and creators there are always obstacles when it comes to selling our products. Should I sell wholesale? Direct to consumer through Etsy of craft shows? My own online store? In this podcast I discuss the different selling avenues as well as the ones I started with- the good and the bad. 

Grab the Show Notes here: 

http://fashionbrainacademy.com/ways-to-sell/

This episode focuses on finding your target audience as a fashion business owner, entrepreneur, creator, or designer and teaches you how to obtain, and maintain, customers. Learn even more about creating a fashion business and being a new designer at http://fashionbrainacademy.com/training-courses/new-designer-program/

How to do LESS and get the same- or better -results, a key to running a successful business. In this podcast, I walk you through an exercise to find the “crossover” between what you love to do (and produce) compared to what products people will happily pay you money for. For any maker, creator, or designer if you find the crossover, life will be a whole lot easier…