Ready to
Make the fashion business
Want to plan, launch and grow your fashion business – with the support of experts and an incredible like-minded community?
We’ve created a 10 step blueprint that designers, brands and entrepreneurs use to start launch, build and scale their successful fashion business.
Where do I start?
- How do I bring my idea to life?
- How do I create a brand?
- How do I develop my product?
- How do I find my manufacturer?
- How do I price my product?
- How big should my range be?
- How much money will I need?
- Where and how do I sell my products?
- How do I use social media for business?
- How much do I invest in marketing?
- Do I need to trademark my brand name?
Let us show you exactly where to start
Those first steps are hard – the questions seemingly endless. But with our decades of experience in the industry, we’ve helped our clients answer them all!
Where do I start?
- How do I bring my idea to life?
- How do I create a brand?
- How do I develop my product?
- How do I find my manufacturer?
- How do I price my product?
- How big should my range be?
- How much money will I need?
- Where and how do I sell my products?
- How do I use social media for business?
- How much do I invest in marketing?
- Do I need to trademark my brand name?
Let us show you exactly where to start
Those first tentative steps are hard – the questions seemingly endless. But with our decades of experience in the industry, we’ve helped our clients answer them all!
Here’s how it works
Step 1
Secure your place
Enrol in our self-paced, industry-first SYFB online programme.
Access it from anywhere in the world, and learn at your own pace. You can complete it in 12 weeks or take up to 12 months.
Step 2
Dive In
Get started immediately, with Module 1 available as soon as you’ve enroled.
Join our private Facebook and engage with your community.
Through step-by-step guidance, video tutorials, best practise tools and templates, and an unrivalled community of like-minded designers, brand owners, and entrepreneurs, you’ll be set for success!
Step 3
Join our monthly zoom calls
Work together as a collective – this is where the magic happens.
Connect with mentors and peers in real-time on our live monthly bonus study session.
Step 4
Insider perks
Step behind the scenes and access our valuable Coaching Call library with over 50 archived presentations covering countless topics with industry insiders.
Take a ‘front row’ seat and be the first to access our podcast interviews with thought leaders and changemakers and be the first to hear about industry news and events.
Step 5
Get set for success
Harness the power of the collective – with our expertise, and the diverse knowledge and experience of our SYFB community you’ll learn how to work smarter, not harder – and take your business to the next level.
Learn at your pace
SYFB IS AN INDUSTRY FIRST PROGRAMME AND A DYNAMIC, ENGAGED COMMUNITY
SYFB will help you craft your idea and better understand business strategies, branding, product development, sourcing, sales, marketing and financing.
You can access SYFB from anywhere in the world and progress at your own pace with the support of some of the best mentors in the business, and a growing community of passionate designers, creators, brand owners and entrepreneurs.
SYFB is all about knowledge, empowerment and confidence – and making the fashion business your business.
Our 10 module programme at a glance
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01
Create a plan
Create a clear and structured plan – the foundation for your business development going forward.
Business Planning
Business Goals
Situational Analysis
Industry Analysis
Target Market + Customer
Unique Selling Proposition
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02
Let's talk money
Learn to calculate your start-up costs, build a sales and inventory plan, manage cash flow, and calculate profit and product cost considerations.
Startup Costs
Sales + Inventory
Profit
Product Costings
Cash Flow
Funding
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03
Define your brand
Discover what makes a great brand, and how to build one and how to protect your intellectual and creative property.
Brand Identity
Visual Identity
Verbal Identity
Brand Experience
Brand Equity
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04
Design your product
Explore trend research and analysis, range planning, sampling, fit and the technical side of the product development process.
Product Concepts
Design + Development
Range Planning
Tech Development
Sampling
Fit Procedure
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05
Price it right
Develop an understanding of the numbers involved in all aspects of your product, from initial costings to final retail price and margins.
Pricing Research
Pricing Methods
Pricing Architecture
Price vs Costs
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06
Source the best
Unlock supply chain know-how, from how to procure suppliers, understand the production process through to logistics, shipment and insurance.
Sourcing Strategy
Production Process
Quality Control
Buying
Supplier Agreements
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07
Sell Sell Sell
Sell online, run a pop-up, wholesale, participate in tradeshows, go global - the choice is yours.
Sales Strategy
Wholesale Model
Selling Online
Pop Up Stores + Direct Sales
Online Sales Channels
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08
Nail your marketing
Develop your marketing strategy and budget - learn the fundamentals of social media, email marketing, influencer marketing and more.
Marketing Strategy
Messaging + Content Plan
Social Media Strategy
Website Development
Email Marketing
PR + Influencer Outreach
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09
Make it official
Cover the essentials of business registration so you’re ready to hit the ground running with all your legal bases covered.
Business Registrations + Structure
Insurance
Accounting + Legal
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10
Run it like a pro
Plan strategies for scaling your business without running out of money or energy – focusing on outsourcing, time management, operations and self-care.
Business Operations
Your Team
Management
WATCH THE REPLAY OF OUR INFO SESSION & Q&A
Want to find out more about planning, launching and growing a fashion business?
Tune in to the replay of our latest online information session and Q&A.
You’ll access:
- A preview of our ‘Start Your Fashion Business’ Programme – this is your step by step solution to launch and scale!
- Insights into Mentorship and how powerful working with a Mentor can be
- A unique SYFB member opportunity to access WGSN, the World’s #1 Fashion Trend Forecaster
- How to join an engaged, like-minded community and not have to do this alone!
- Typical startup mistakes to avoid
- How to build a sustainable brand and profitable business
- Your Fashion Startup and Scale Solution
WATCH THE REPLAY OF OUR INFO SESSION & Q&A
Want to find out more about planning, launching and growing a fashion business?
Tune in to the replay of our latest online information session and Q&A.
You’ll access:
- A preview of our ‘Start Your Fashion Business’ Programme – this is your step by step solution to launch and scale!
- Insights into Mentorship and how powerful working with a Mentor can be
- A unique SYFB member opportunity to access WGSN, the World’s #1 Fashion Trend Forecaster
- How to join an engaged, like-minded community and not have to do this alone!
- Typical startup mistakes to avoid
- How to build a sustainable brand and profitable business
- Your Fashion Startup and Scale Solution
What our clients have to say….
Being in the SYFB community - feeling connected, participating and giving back - is a wonderful part of the journey which strengthens the tapestry of learning, knowledge and growth. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to launch and grow a fashion business. It truly is a priceless investment.
– Naomi Swalwell, House of Lacuna
I loved having a headstrong and inspirational mentor who could tell it to me as it is, and make sure I was set up for achievable success with direction and purpose.
I needed someone to be in the ring with me, in particular advising on my books and financials. I would absolutely recommend working with a mentor – all day, every day.
– Lisa Leverington, HAJA Studio, Lady of Leisure Millinery
Fashion Equipped helped me get to where I am today, and working with Elizabeth has given me the upper hand. I have been able to transform my small handmade business into a fully manufactured label and my orders have increased tenfold. Elizabeth guided me through the whole process from design and production to retail and wholesale pricing, right down to the details like trademarking my brand.
– Andrea Goulding, KaPow Kids
Finding Fashion Equipped was the missing link I needed. Not having a background in apparel but the drive to get my business off the ground, Fashion Equipped, between their one on one consulting and their online SYFB programme helped me fill in the gaps and got my start up moving. The industry knowledge, links and examples in their online programme is great for all levels and makes you look further into your business.
Thank you Elizabeth, we are extremely grateful to you and your team.
– Danielle Sady, Everyday Lingerie Co
FAQs
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Should I start this programme if I am in the discovery stage and still brainstorming ideas?
Yes! The SYFB online programme is designed for businesses of all stages, from start-ups to established brands. You don’t need a name, you don’t even need a concrete idea; if you’re starting out and want to establish strong foundations and define your direction, this course will guide you through the entire process and equip you with the confidence and industry knowledge to succeed. We’ll walk you through the step-by-step process from discovery to launch and beyond, with easy to follow modules, video tutorials and action plans.
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I’m a creative person, not a business person. Can you help?
We sure can! Our community is filled with creatives who are passionate about launching and growing their businesses. We have packaged up the ‘business’ side of fashion in easy-to-understand modules so that you can ensure you develop and fine-tune both your creative and commercial skills.
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I have some great product ideas, but I don’t’ know how bring my designs to life and I don’t know how or where to have them manufactured”. Will this programme help me?
Absolutely! We’ve created entire modules around product development and sourcing that will help you turn your concept into a tangible business. We cover range plans, tech packs, sampling and the production process. You’ll learn about local and off-shore manufacturing so that you can make the right supply chain choice for your business. You’ll be surrounded by a community that will steer you in the right direction when it comes to finding product designers, graphic designers and where to look for manufacturers
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I’m not great with numbers. Will this programme show me how to tackle financials and plan to make a profit?
Definitely! Making a profit and ensuring financial stability is crucial, and no business can survive without it. Even if you’re not ‘a numbers person’, our tutorials and action plans will help you with everything from start-up cost analysis, to costings, inventory planning and pricing strategy. We’ll equip you with the tools to know how to build a profitable business from the start. And all the templates are ‘done for you’ – including costing sheets, inventory and sales plan templates, marketing plan templates and more.
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I’m an established business that has been trading for a few years, but I want to scale. Will this programme help me?
It will! Even if you’ve been operating for years and have an existing business model in place, the SYFB programme will help you to ensure you are working to industry best practice. SYFB will guide you through the fundamentals of establishing a strong fashion business foundation and allow you to analyse your current model and ensure you’re operating at maximum potential. We’ll equip you with the creative tools and strategic plans to increase your sales, improve your profitability, broaden your industry connections and increase your business performance.
