Fashion Entrepreneur's Blueprint: From Start-up to Profitable Business with Frances Harder

Show Notes: In this podcast episode, we have a very important guest Frances Harder a software entrepreneur from Spain recounts his journey from selling his software company to establishing a production agency in Los Angeles, focusing on AR and VR experiences. With a background in mechanical engineering and product design, he discusses his international work and the impact of technology on industries. Meanwhile, a fashion industry expert and author delves into her experience in fashion design and education, highlighting her tenure at Otis College and her nonprofit venture. She also speaks on the fashion industry's evolution, emphasizing sustainability and technological integration in garment manufacturing. About Frances Harder: Frances Harder authored and published a series of books dealing with starting a fashion business. Fashion for Profit (10 th edition), Costing for Profit, Brand Building for Profit and Forms for Profit are industry focused texts used both by new companies and for further education programs. www.fashionforprofit.com. Consultant to the United Nations assisting small businesses: Peru- Alpaca products, (women owned businesses), Nepal - Cashmere products and recently assisting Egyptian apparel manufacturer enter the U.S. market (2 nd contract). She consults and speaks internationally on product development, branding, merchandising, sustainability, costing, production and entering the US market. Serves as an industry expert in legal disputes. Timestamps: Introduction to Fashion for Profit (00:00:05) The speakers introduce the topic of fashion for profit and discuss the evolution of the fashion industry. Teaching and Writing a Book (00:00:31) Speaker 3 shares her experience of teaching at Otis College of Art and Design, starting a class on entrepreneurship, and writing a book on fashion business. Content of the Book (00:01:16) The book covers business planning, market niche, branding, and garment costing, providing a roadmap for launching and scaling a fashion brand. Book's Use in Education (00:01:56) The book is used as a curriculum in colleges, and additional books and lesson plans supplement its content. Transition to Fashion Design (00:04:00) Speaker 3 discusses her transition from art college to fashion design, her work in the fashion industry, and her role as an educator. Entrepreneurial Journey (00:08:14) Speaker 1 shares his journey from engineering to building and selling a software company, leading to the establishment of a production agency in California. Interactive Media and VR Experiences (00:11:09) Speaker 1 discusses the production agency's focus on interactive media, including AR and VR experiences. Fashion Industry Trends (00:14:51) Speaker 3 discusses the changing landscape of the fashion industry, emphasizing sustainability, direct sales to consumers, and the shift towards nearshoring and domestic production. Impact of Technology on Garment Manufacturing (00:20:35) The conversation delves into the gap between the need for technology to compensate for the decline in garment sewers and the potential for automation in garment manufacturing processes. Manufacturing intricacies (00:21:21) Discussion on the complexity of manufacturing intricate garments and the use of robots in garment production. Challenges for small brands (00:24:48) The financial challenges for small brands to compete with larger brands and the importance of building a strong community. Building a community (00:26:55) The shift in launching products after building a strong community, and the challenges of website development and social media marketing. Engaging the community (00:28:08) Strategies for engaging a community of potential customers and the importance of trust in building a brand. This podcast is produced by the team at Dillie: a marketing agency with a niche focus on beauty and personal care brands https://dilliecreative.com/

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