Real testimonials from our clients who’ve transformed with expert guidance and strategy.

Consulting Results | Alexandra

" Having Elizabeth as my business and strategy consultant has been incredible for my professional development, helping me refine processes, build a roadmap, and create exciting opportunities for growth."

— Lexi Bell, Founder, Alexandra Australia

So happy I invested in mentorship
This 3 month mentorship was just what I needed to help me take my business to the next level and start scaling. I had a large brand refresh project to complete in a short time frame and the Fashion Equipped mentorship helped me achieve my goals. As always, Manuela brought so much value to the project through her experience and extensive knowledge of the fashion industry. I love working with Manuela as she’s able to push me out of my comfort zone to achieve ambitious goals whilst offering me support and encouragement to confidently work through the project.

- Liz Archer, The Elsewhere Co
We immediately felt at ease and in safe hands. We came away from our session with so much more clarity and confidence! We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend working with the mentors at Fashion Equipped. If you can’t focus on exactly what you need at different stages, meeting with mentors can save weeks of research and indecisiveness.

– Marika Gazzard & Ilana Adam, Lanamara
I found this mentorship so valuable. There is often a feeling of isolation when you work alone and it’s so important to have someone with the knowledge, background and understanding of the risk factors and decision making paths. I highly recommend mentorship for anyone looking to launch and grow a fashion business. It truly is a priceless investment.

– Naomi Swalwell, House of Lacuna
Time with Manuela made a huge difference - having someone other than myself look at what I had created and focus on my brand’s vision was invaluable. I regularly refer to my sessions and feel much more equipped to self-edit and trust my ability to step back to see if my ideas align with my vision. I believe it’s through putting yourself out there and sharing your creative journey with a mentor, that you slowly build up your own set of tools and little by little become more resilient and build self-belief.

– Melanie McGregor-Clarke, CIRKL
“Having access to a mentor in a niche market such as children's fashion is invaluable and rare. Working with Andrea from KaPow Kids has really helped move my swimwear range to the next level without compromising on my brand's authenticity. The benefits to working with a mentor are many and I would highly recommend it as an investment in your business growth.”

– Lisa Sjoblom, Tyoub
Finding Fashion Equipped and Investing in mentoring had honestly been the best thing I’ve ever done for my business so THANK YOU. Mani has offered so much value to my vision and is always pushing me to step out of my comfort zome. I really feel like I now have a team of people supporting and working with me to achieve my business goals which feels amazing. Thank you.
-Liz Archer, The Elsewhere Co
My interaction with Elizabeth and Manuela has been a total gift. I’ve learned invaluable skills and built knowledge essential to the success of any fashion business. The combination of their industry experience, passion for fashion startups, generosity of spirit and beautiful attitude to both business and life, is a powerful force that is sorely needed in today’s world. The extensive networking has been amazing and I have made wonderful contacts. Without a business like Fashion Equipped, I don’t doubt I would’ve given up on the dream of owning and running my own label. Now, I am looking forward to a bright and successful future in the fashion industry.
– Kimelyn Macphail, Quillan
We were at a point with our brand where we didn’t know how to take it to the next level. And even though we’d been in business many years before working with Elizabeth, we learnt so much and felt so inspired and motivated. Mentoring gives you clear and unbiased ideas about how to make your business the best it can be, encouraging you to think outside the box.
– Amanda and Jasmine, Lulu and Milly
As a sole trader I found myself continually in a state of overwhelm. The intention of my first mentoring session was to gain clarity and direction, which evolved into a deeper exploration and articulation of my vision. This was the turning point for my business. I absolutely love working with a mentor… particularly the higher state you evolve into post session. There have been times where I felt so confused entering the session and coming out of it profusely thanking my mentor and the universe for bringing me such insight and clarity.
– Rose Panza, Rose Panza
With a background in nursing and midwifery, I had very little experience in the fashion industry – so I didn’t hesitate to work with a mentor. The mentors are highly committed, knowledgeable and passionate during all sessions, and always have my business in mind, often sending different pieces of relevant information and images for inspiration through to me which has been very much appreciated.
– Chantelle Fisher, Matchy Mumma

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
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
SYFB was the best decision we’ve made to kickstart our brand. We were instantly struck by Elizabeth’s passion, and amazed at the depth of information that was offered in the course, from guidance around the earliest stages of starting a business, to launching and beyond. The Coaching Calls, Facebook group and Lives are invaluable for connecting with people on the same journey as us. We’ve been well and truly pushed out of our comfort zone – growing as a brand, and personally. We are launching in 2020 and we wouldn’t be in this position without Elizabeth and the Fashion Equipped team.
– Ilana and Marika, Lanamara
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
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

THE AVRY JAMES

JOURNEY

We sat down with Melanie from Avry James to discuss her experience launching her brand with the learning and support from SYFB.

I was seeking structure and guidance, and SYFB gave me just that. It allowed me to take my ideas and work through a structured course step by step and learn about the fashion industry on a completely different level.
It was so enjoyable and informative, each module was easy enough to work through, whilst still challenging my thinking. It allowed me to work through each stage of launching a fashion business and answered so many questions.
Through the program, I was able to determine the style of clothes I wanted to create, what my brand's story would be about and ultimately the steps to executing.
Absolutely yes. There is an unlimited amount of resources available along with support. Topics range from start up costs, business structure, marketing, manufacturing, all the way through to launch. The number questions and concerns you have as start up can be so overwhelming, almost enough to stop. However this course allowed me to follow a process, learn about topics that were new to me and expand my knowledge base. Ultimately it gave me the confidence to move forward with my ideas, and launch my own fashion brand.

Time with Manuela made a huge difference - having someone other than myself look at what I had created and focus on my brand’s vision was invaluable. I regularly refer to my sessions and feel much more equipped to self-edit and trust my ability to step back to see if my ideas align with my vision. I believe it’s through putting yourself out there and sharing your creative journey with a mentor, that you slowly build up your own set of tools and little by little become more resilient and build self-belief.
– Melanie McGregor-Clarke, CIRKL
I found this mentorship so valuable. There is often a feeling of isolation when you work alone and it’s so important to have someone with the knowledge, background and understanding of the risk factors and decision making paths. I highly recommend mentorship for anyone looking to launch and grow a fashion business. It truly is a priceless investment.
– Naomi Swalwell, House of Lacuna
“Having access to a mentor in a niche market such as children's fashion is invaluable and rare. Working with Andrea from KaPow Kids has really helped move my swimwear range to the next level without compromising on my brand's authenticity. The benefits to working with a mentor are many and I would highly recommend it as an investment in your business growth.”
– Lisa Sjoblom, Tyoub
We immediately felt at ease and in safe hands. We came away from our session with so much more clarity and confidence! We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend working with the mentors at Fashion Equipped. If you can’t focus on exactly what you need at different stages, meeting with mentors can save weeks of research and indecisiveness.
– Marika Gazzard & Ilana Adam, Lanamara

THE ELSEWHERE CO

JOURNEY

So happy I invested in mentorship

This 3 month mentorship was just what I needed to help me take my business to the next level and start scaling. I had a large brand refresh project to complete in a short time frame and the Fashion Equipped mentorship helped me achieve my goals. As always, Manuela brought so much value to the project through her experience and extensive knowledge of the fashion industry. I love working with Manuela as she’s able to push me out of my comfort zone to achieve ambitious goals whilst offering me support and encouragement to confidently work through the project. Throughout the process she kept me accountable, on track and focused. Her contacts, connections and knowledge of the fashion industry has been an asset to my business. So happy with the results - the brand refresh looks amazing! Thank you xx

Liz Archer, The Elsewhere Co

Thank you so much Manuela for such an awesome mentoring session. Your guidance and expertise has helped us get back on track. I highly recommend anyone that feels stuck, a little overwhelmed, or needs some clarity moving forward, to invest in a session
You're amazing!
– Marika Gazzard & Ilana Adam, Lanamara
Thank you so much for the mentoring session yesterday! I feel like I’m heading somewhere now! I love how you can see all the details that are so relevant to my brand.
Thank you for suggesting different ideas and helping me create a range plan.
Can’t wait to lock you in for my next session Super happy and so much wealthier.
Mani you are the best!
– Alex, Thirty-Four Dukes
Mani gave me so many insights into my thoughts and concerns that I had about my plans in our Mentoring Session. I did the pre-work as Mani asked and I found that it really helped me better articulate the areas I wanted to explore in the session. I also really appreciate the prep work and investment that Mani also put into prior to our mentoring session to understand my business, where I am now and where I am looking to go. The session really gave me hope regarding my plans for 2023…
– Donna, Pug Parties
The mentorship program was great, to get both guidance and support throughout the start up phase of my business. It was great to know I was working with someone that had experience, was honest and had my best interest at heart.
I loved that the mentoring program was flexible and was able to be moulded to the business needs and what were the desired outcomes. I loved that Mani (yourself) was able to meet me in person to help assist with the sampling and fitting. I really felt that this was helpful and important to the overall growth and development of Nakeko. I really appriecated the follow ups and the check in, as this was also a good reminder that I needed to keep on working.

– Adele, Nakeko