Saying 'Yes' to be a more desirable fashion freelancer is the quickest path to getting caught in a scope creep nightmare.

There's an important balance of being available but also having boundaries.  Andressa, my guest in this episode, and I talk about constructing firm proposals and how to handle the awkward dance of revising costs mid-project. By the end of this strategy-packed session, you'll be armed with actionable advice on how to avoid scope creep and feeling obligated to take on too many revisions.

Stop leaving money on the table and listen to these valuable strategies.

About Andressa:
Andressa is a fashion and textile designer with over a decade of experience in kidswear! She's an expert in developing seasonal collections, from initial concepts to final products. Whether you're a startup or a mid-sized brand, she can assist you with various aspects of product development, including creating mood concepts, sourcing materials, creating flat drawings, and preparing accurate tech packs suitable for manufacturing. Let her take care of the nitty-gritty, so you can focus on what you do best!

Connect with Andressa:
Email her at [email protected]
Follow in Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Success can be temporary.  It can dry up if you're not prepared. There one day and *POOF* gone the next.

That's exactly what happened to my guest in today's episode, Louise Ryan, a freelance footwear trend consultant.  She had a stable freelance income for a while but eventually, it dried up leaving her looking for answers.  She turned to my flagship program FAST and shares how she redesigned her freelance fashion career and essentially tripled her income.  Even with all the strategies at her fingertips though, there's still room for disappointment and rejection. 

If you've ever felt like your success is drying up or you feel like throwing in the towel because of the rejection you get, you'll want to listen to this episode as Louise and I talk about the high highs and low lows of freelancing in fashion and how not giving up pays off.  Learn how having the right strategies in your arsenal can protect you from withering away from an unstable income and a dried-up network.

About Louise:

She is an exceptional creative thinker, designer, and trend forecaster who is passionate about the footwear industry. Her drive to stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and fully comprehend the entire process of footwear design and development is truly inspiring. By collaborating with global trend agencies, brands, and factories, she can provide valuable insights that will shape the future of this dynamic industry. future of this dynamic industry.

Connect with Louise:

Visit their website: www.larcreative.com

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram LAR_CREATIVE

Connect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseryanfashion/

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Is freelancing in fashion actually as good as it sounds?  From the promises of freedom to the ideas of total flexibility, it can be easy to get swept up in the "dream".

There's a lot of positives when it comes to freelancing, but that doesn't mean that you don't have to put in hard work to achieve your freelancing dreams.  In this episode, Kate Knight opens up to share some amazing wins but also gives a realistic perspective of the ups and downs in freelancing.  We also talk about pricing which is always a hot topic that I get tons of questions about.

Tune in to find out what the REAL truth about being a freelance fashion designer is like.  You won't want to miss a big win that Kate shares at the end because she started charging for something that she used to give away for free. 

About Kate:

Kate Knight is a knitwear designer who specializes in creating recycled and sustainable cashmere and cashmere blends. She has previously lived and worked in New York City, London, and the Swiss Alps, but currently resides just outside of Bordeaux, France. Throughout her career, Kate has designed knitwear for well-known brands such as Nordstrom, The White Company, Lands' End, Barney's, and Whistles. She has also taught knitting to individuals across all age groups, including 7-year-olds, PhD students, and industry professionals. Kate is passionate about building connections with factories, yarn agents, brands, fellow freelancers, and designers.

Connect with Kate:

Visit her website: http://www.thecashmeredesigner.com/

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram @thecashmeredesigner

Connect on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-knight-7a05174/

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
SFD096 Q&A: How to Become a Fashion freelancer with Heidi & Marissa
197 How to Sell Yourself As A Freelance Fashion Designer (without feeling gross)

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Are you struggling to figure out your fashion design freelance rate? Do you find it challenging to determine how much to charge for your fashion design services?

That's because no one openly wants to talk about rates or money.  In this episode, I break that silence in the industry by sharing real-life strategies that I've used in my own career and examples from real successful fashion freelancers for setting rates.  If charging hourly, by day, or per project has you scratching your head, push play now to find out how to charge your worth and avoid common pitfalls in pricing.  

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Sourcing in your freelance fashion career is a lot like matchmaking!  You want to make good connections that align well with your client's brand. You can build a great career by thinking strategically and approaching sourcing with care.

Once you identify that sourcing isn't just about finding products or services; it's about creating valuable connections and delivering exceptional results, you can strategically start setting your clients up for success.

Get ready for insights and practical tips on navigating the sourcing process, set transparent expectations with clients, and conduct thorough due diligence to ensure the best possible outcomes.  You'll gain a deep understanding of the strategic and relational elements involved in successful sourcing, making this episode a must-listen for anyone in the fashion world.

Resources:
SFF156: Jay Arbetman How to Source Fabrics for Your Freelance Clients

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

If you're new to the fashion industry or unsure of your skills but want to start as a freelancer, you may consider being a fashion virtual assistant (VA) and earning while you learn.  Find out how you can transform your soft skills into hard cash.

You don't need to be a super tech genius to work as a virtual assistant in the fashion industry; basic tech skills and a willingness to learn as you go are enough to get started. Tons of business owners are bogged down with tasks they can do, but do not have the time for.  The VA industry isn't just about ticking off tasks. It *thrives* on soft skills like organization, a knack for creativity, and, oh yes, being a little tech-savvy!

So if you have what it takes, you can thrive as a fashion virtual assistant and start earning while you develop your fashion design skills.

About Aubree:
Aubree Malick is a boy mom, former teacher, virtual assistant coach, and host of the Freelancer to CEO podcast. Through her podcast and programs, she helps overworked and underpaid moms and (soon-to-be former) teachers experience the freedom and joy that comes from designing a freelancing business with the skills they already have. After taking her own leap of faith four years ago and replacing her teaching income within two months, she became passionate about helping other women start and grow their own businesses to 5K+ months from home and has been featured in Business Insider and Yahoo! Finance.

Connect with Aubree:
Visit their website: aubreemalick.com

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram 

Listen to Aubree's Podcast Freelancer to the CEO

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Knowing how to add value to your clients without sacrificing your mental health is a lesson many freelance fashion designers learn on their freelancing journey.  It's all too easy to listen to self-doubt and let imposter syndrome creep in which ultimately will lead to resentment, burnout, or missing out on huge opportunities. So how can you land freelance gigs from big names while overcoming challenges such as low self-esteem and even geographical constraints?

It's easier than you may think! Our guest, Harshini, is a fashion designer who landed a job with WGSN despite their minimal presence in India and lack of a head office in her home country. She has also faced familiar mindset issues that can hold us back, which led her to low-paying clients and work she grew to hate. In this podcast episode, you can listen to the strategies she implemented to change the trajectory of her career which enabled her to outsource work, increase her rates, and secure higher-paying projects. You will also learn about the challenges and triumphs Harshini faced as she navigated motherhood, low self-esteem, and learning her worth in a competitive industry.

About Harshini:
Harshini is a womenswear designer and trend consultant with 7 years of industry experience. She's worked with big names like Zara, French Connection UK, Yamaha, and WGSN. With a postgraduate degree from the London College of Fashion, she enjoys creating cool casual wear for women, especially in the resort wear niche.

Offering everything from initial concepts to pre-production, Harshini's helping small to mid-sized women's resort wear brands thrive. With her sharp eye for style and a knack for understanding what people want, she's making brands stand out and connect with their audiences effortlessly.

Connect with Harshini:

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Let's talk about two easy but often overlooked strategies to avoid the freelancing roller coaster of making $3,000 1 month and a $100 the next, and you're left wondering where your next fashion design is project coming from.

By implementing these practical strategies in this episode of Fashion Designers Get Paid, you'll position yourself as the kind of freelancer that brands want to hire again and again, ultimately leading to more referrals and ongoing projects.

So, if you're ready to start earning consistent income as a freelance fashion designer, hit play and start putting these strategies into action today.

Mentioned in this Episode:
Podcast Episode with Hillary Glenn - How to Build Your Career as a Contract Fashion Designer (and work from home)

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Want to kickstart your freelance career while learning a new industry skill, like Clo3D?

In this Fashion Designers Get Paid episode, we hear a clip from a strategy session with fashion designer Sharon Hay, who's breaking into fashion from the tech industry and learning Clo3D. So, how can you build your network and line up clients while still learning?

It's not about waiting until you're an expert before putting yourself out there. Instead, it's about engaging and sharing what you're working on, starting authentic conversations, and connecting with brands who may need your services down the line.

Tune in as we talk about specific strategies to pull this off (and it works for any fashion design niche).  By building a strong network, sharing your learning process, and engaging with others in your industry, you can confidently secure trial projects to refine your skills. So, go ahead and put yourself out there and make meaningful connections!

Mentioned in this Episode:
If you're going to do LinkedIn, I literally think you'd be CRAZY not to take this course. Full disclaimer, it's an affiliate link, but I would recommend it 100000% either way: https://learn.justinwelsh.me/a/2147505019/Vq8CxAWV

About Sharon Hay:
Sharon has been working as a professional digital design and UX project manager for 15 years, and has worked with some of the top tech firms and retailers in Silicon Valley! However, she's always been passionate about both technology and fashion. That's why she decided to follow her heart and redirect her career to a path that truly fuels her passion while promoting sustainability. She became a Clo3D master, specializing in providing virtual fashion design solutions, utilizing her past fashion experience. 

Connect with Sharon:

Visit their website: www.retailbrandlab.com

Email at: [email protected]

Connect on Linkedin

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

Ever feel like one of the biggest roadblocks in your fashion design career is procrastination?

If you find yourself reaching for the newest or trendy technology hoping to finally find your holy grail for staying on task (spoiler alert: it wasn't it), then this episode has your name written all over it!  I talk with Grace Brodeur who specializes in helping entrepreneurs overcome procrastination so they can increase their time, financial, and mental freedom.  She shares her insights on setting goals, navigating emotional blocks, and giving procrastination the well-deserved boot.

Mentioned in this Episode:
EFT Tapping with Brad Yates

About Grace Brodeur:
While getting her Master of Science and working in consulting, Grace experienced ongoing procrastination, deadline crunches, fear, overwhelm, and overthinking that kept her stuck. She could not find comprehensive training that achieved permanent solutions, so she decided to create it herself.

Grace is a trauma-informed performance coach who has built a community of over 250,000 individuals. She has blended her mastery of 5 modalities with her unique experience of working with 500+ procrastinators to deliver efficient programs that address the root cause of self-sabotaging patterns.

Connect with Grace:
Visit her website
Email her at: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram
Follow on TikTok

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.

What if you had to completely restart your fashion career?  And what if you were also faced with a lot of barriers?

That's exactly what this fashion designer, mom of two, and my guest, Andressa Iop, faced when she moved from Brazil to the U.S.  Between learning a new language, juggling the hectic schedule of motherhood, and everything else, she found time in the cracks of her day to fit in time to rebuild her fashion career.

Andressa shares more about her success and the amazing way she finds time for fashion design.  If you ever wished you could buy a new MAC or make $3k working part-time, then you'll love this episode of Fashion Designers Get Paid.  Hear how she did it and how you can too!

About Andressa Iop:
Andressa is an exceptional fashion and textile designer with over ten years of experience in the kidswear industry. She specializes in bringing seasonal collections to life, from the initial concept to the final product. Her passion for her work is evident in every detail of her designs, and she offers her expertise to startups and mid-sized brands in need of guidance in various areas of product development. With Andressa's help, brands can create beautiful, high-quality clothing that will inspire and delight parents and children alike.

Connect with Andressa:

Email at: [email protected]

Follow on Instagram

Connect on Linkedin

Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my free training: How to Freelance in Fashion (even if you're terrified you don't have all the answers) by clicking here.