The Business of Apparel

Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be some of the most profitable days of the year for your apparel brand, but success doesn't happen by accident. The brands that see the biggest results are the ones that start planning months in advance with a clear marketing strategy.
I will walk you through how to create a successful Black Friday Cyber Monday strategy that attracts new customers, increases repeat purchases, and protects your profit margins. I'll share how to plan your product launches, discounts, marketing campaigns, customer service, and post-purchase follow-up while using key performance metrics to measure your success and improve future promotions.
📝 Today We're Covering:
Why Black Friday and Cyber Monday planning should begin months in advance
How to create a profitable BFCM marketing and promotional strategy
The key metrics every apparel founder should track before, during, and after the sales weekend
How to balance discounts with healthy profit margins and inventory goals
Why customer retention, community building, and post-purchase nurturing are essential for long-term growth
Whether you're preparing for your first Black Friday Cyber Monday promotion or looking to improve the results of future sales events, you'll gain practical strategies to help you plan with confidence, maximize revenue, and turn seasonal shoppers into loyal customers.
➡️ Your Next Steps:
Say Good-Bye to $20,000 Apparel Brand Mistakes here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/goodbye
Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join
Learn how we can help your business grow further: www.unmarkedstreet.com
‼️ Don't Miss These Episodes:
Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE
Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw
Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao 
🤝 Meet Rachel:
Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, she sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.
After decades working inside major fashion companies, she learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.
Rachel helps founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands:
✅ Build lean, profitable product lines
✅ Streamline operations for growth
✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity
✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion
Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, Rachel will join you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/ and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.

Building an apparel brand can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you're competing against industry giants with resources, data, and strategies you don't have access to. While many founders assume they're simply missing a piece of the puzzle, the reality is that the apparel industry is far more competitive than most entrepreneurs realize, and understanding how it really works can change everything.
In this episode, I pull back the curtain on an eye-opening experience from my corporate career that completely changed the way I view the apparel industry. I share what happened during a leadership meeting at one of the world's biggest apparel companies, why emerging brands were seen as a threat despite holding only a tiny fraction of the market, and how that experience inspired me to dedicate my career to helping independent apparel founders succeed with the insider knowledge they've never been given.
📝 Today We're Covering:
Why even the biggest apparel brands pay close attention to emerging competitors
What I learned inside a corporate strategy meeting focused on protecting market share
Why so much of the advice available to apparel founders feels incomplete or unhelpful
How understanding the industry's hidden dynamics can help you make smarter business decisions
Why having experienced advisors and proven operational strategies gives small brands a competitive advantage
Success in the apparel industry starts with understanding the realities behind the scenes. This episode will give you a new perspective on the challenges you're facing and remind you that success isn't about working harder. It's about understanding how the industry really operates and having the right guidance to navigate it.
➡️ Your Next Steps:
Say Good-Bye to $20,000 Apparel Brand Mistakes here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/goodbye
Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join
Purchase the Business of Apparel Online Course: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/course
‼️ Don't Miss These Episodes:
Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE
Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw
Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao 
🤝 Meet Rachel:
Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, she sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.
After decades working inside major fashion companies, she learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.
Rachel helps founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands:
✅ Build lean, profitable product lines
✅ Streamline operations for growth
✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity
✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion
Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, Rachel will join you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/ and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.

Leaving the security of a steady paycheck to build your own apparel business is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. The uncertainty of replacing your income, finding clients, and giving up traditional benefits can feel overwhelming, but the freedom, flexibility, and opportunity to build a business on your own terms can make it one of the most rewarding decisions you'll ever make.
In this episode, I sit down with two former colleagues and friends, Sarah White and Kayla Clarot, to talk about our journeys from the corporate apparel world into running our own businesses. We share the lessons we learned working in a high-pressure environment, how those experiences shaped our leadership styles, and why creating businesses rooted in collaboration, flexibility, and kindness has become our mission.
📝 Today We're Covering:
Why leaving a corporate career can be the catalyst for building a business that fits your life and values
How high-pressure work environments can develop leadership skills that translate into entrepreneurship
Why collaboration works better than competition to create a strong business
How to lead with honesty, kindness, and clear communication while building a healthy team culture
Why balancing ambition with your physical and mental well-being leads to more sustainable success
Whether you're wondering if it's time to pursue your own apparel business or you're looking for encouragement as you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, this conversation will remind you that your past experiences can become your greatest advantage in building a company on your own terms.
➡️ Connect with Sarah and Kayla:
Sarah: https://www.theoutdoormerchant.com/
Kayla: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-clarot-58351b97/
➡️ Connect with Rachel:
Subscribe to the Apparel Founder's Boardroom Notes on Substack: https://substack.com/@businessofapparel
Get in touch here: http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/
🤝 Meet Rachel:
Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, she sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.
After decades working inside major fashion companies, she learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.
Rachel helps founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands:
✅ Build lean, profitable product lines
✅ Streamline operations for growth
✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity
✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion
Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, Rachel will join you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.

Stepping into the role of CEO requires more than designing great products. It means shifting your mindset from working in your apparel brand to leading and growing it. Learning to delegate, trust your team, and focus on the bigger picture is what creates the foundation for long-term success.
As I work to better understand the financial data behind my own business, build stronger leadership skills, and expand my team, I'm pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to transition from product designer to business owner. I explain why hiring before you feel ready, investing in expert guidance, and creating systems that empower your team can help you break through the growth ceiling that many apparel founders face.
📝 Today We're Covering:
Why thinking of yourself as a product designer instead of a CEO can hold your business back
How hiring and delegating create more opportunities for growth and profitability
Why learning your business numbers is essential, even if finance isn't your strength
How to build a leadership team that can grow alongside your apparel brand
Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, when scaling your company
If you're still trying to wear multiple hats in your business, this episode will help you shift your mindset, embrace your role as CEO, and create a business that can grow beyond what you could accomplish on your own.
➡️ Your Next Steps:
Subscribe to the Apparel Founder's Boardroom Notes on Substack: https://substack.com/@businessofapparel
Get in touch with me here: http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact
Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join
‼️ Don't Miss These Episodes:
Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE
Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw
Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao
🤝 Meet Rachel:
Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, she sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.
After decades working inside major fashion companies, she learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.
Rachel helps founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands:
✅ Build lean, profitable product lines
✅ Streamline operations for growth
✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity
✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion
Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, Rachel will join you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/ and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.

Bringing investors into your apparel brand might seem like the fastest path to growth, but the wrong investment, or the wrong strategy, can put everything you've built at risk.
In this episode we're breaking down why many apparel founders make costly mistakes after raising capital and explain how to use investment dollars strategically to build a stronger, more profitable business. We discuss why investing in education, hiring the right team, and testing products before scaling leads to better long-term results, while also exploring the dangers of chasing rapid growth and partnering with investors whose values don't align with your brand.
📝 Today We're Covering:
Why raising investment capital isn't always the right move for apparel brands
The smartest ways to invest funding to support sustainable growth
Why buying more inventory too soon can hurt your business
How to use product testing before scaling your apparel line
The risks of partnering with investors who don't share your brand values
Whether you're considering outside investment or simply planning your next stage of growth, this episode offers practical guidance to help you make smarter financial decisions to protect your brand and build a business that lasts.
➡️ Your Next Steps:
Subscribe to the Apparel Founder's Boardroom Notes on Substack: https://substack.com/@businessofapparel
Get in touch with me here: http://thebusinessofapparel.com/contact
Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join
‼️ Don't Miss These Episodes:
Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE
Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw
Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao
🤝 Meet Rachel:
Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, she sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year.
After decades working inside major fashion companies, she learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting.
Rachel helps founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands:
✅ Build lean, profitable product lines
✅ Streamline operations for growth
✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity
✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion
Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, Rachel will join you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading.
Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/ and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.