Why You Need a Consulting Session Before Starting Your Fashion Brand

After speaking with dozens of fashion brand start ups, designers, dreamers and planners throughout the year, a common theme started to appear. The production process of creating the products is a mystery. And all it takes is one minute of me giving an overview of what needs to be done just to start the production process, and I can see hearts racing, anxiety levels going up and overwhelm settling in. By the end of that minute, I fear you are feeling defeated before you have even begun.

It doesn’t have to be this way!

Starting a fashion brand is an exciting journey, but let’s be clear, it’s also a lot. And it’s expensive. With so many decisions to make—from sourcing materials to managing production (let alone finding the materials and the manufacturers!)—it’s easy to overlook crucial steps that can make or break your success.

This is why you hire a consultant first.

A consultant, or mentor or even connecting with another brand who has already launched and gone through the process is invaluable.

By working with an expert, you’ll gain the clarity, tools, and strategies needed to build a brand positioned for long-term growth.

Here are 10 reasons why investing in a consulting session before launching your fashion brand is the smartest move you can make.

1. Define Your Vision and Goals Clearly
   A consulting session helps you clarify your brand’s mission, values, and target audience, ensuring your business starts on a solid foundation.

2. Avoid Costly Mistakes
   Starting a fashion brand involves decisions. Many, many decisions. So many decisions. With expert advice, you can sidestep common pitfalls that could cost you time and money.

3. Understand the Industry Landscape
   Gain insights into the current fashion market trends, competition, and consumer demands to position your brand effectively.

4. Navigate Sustainable Sourcing
   Learn how to identify and work with eco-responsible suppliers who meet your quality, budget, and minimum order quantity (MOQ) requirements.

5. Streamline Your Product Development Process
   A consultant can guide you in creating a cohesive collection that aligns with your vision while remaining practical to produce.

6. Master Production Management
   From tech packs to timelines, get expert advice on managing your production process efficiently to avoid delays and ensure quality.

7. Develop a Realistic Budget and Plan
   Understand the costs involved in launching a fashion brand, from sampling to marketing, and create a budget that keeps you on track.

8. Learn the Art of Negotiation
   Gain tips on negotiating with suppliers, manufacturers, and other partners to get the best deals and build lasting relationships. (I have more to say on this in another post.)

9. Tailored Strategies for Your Unique Brand
   No two fashion brands are the same. A consulting session provides personalized advice that’s specific to your goals and challenges.

10. Save Time and Focus on What Matters
    Instead of spending hours researching or making trial-and-error decisions, a consultant helps you focus on the actions that will drive your brand forward.

Tip to Hiring a Consultant

There are many consultants and mentors in the industry.

A note of caution: be wary if you hear the phrase, “I made all the mistakes so you don’t have to!” Run in the other direction.

Because mistakes happen. Mistakes from brands, mistakes from manufacturers.

How you foresee the bumps, and navigate over or around them is what matters.

There are bound to be bumps in the road. Avoiding the bumps isn’t possible or you aren’t even on the road. Anyone promising you that you won’t have mistakes are probably selling you a course.

For Product Development Management,

I suggest finding a consultant who is an expert at product development management in the area you want to manufacture in. Area of product (ie. apparel, shoes, home textiles) and the actual physical area, Europe, Asia, N. America, Oceana etc.

Do you want to manufacture in Portugal? Source within the EU? Or, do you need someone in the industry to connect with you where you are at now?

Book yourself in for a one-to-one session where we can go over your idea or plan, and where you have a safe space to ask all the questions you need answered.

Save for later! 📌

I share a lot about manufacturers and fabric suppliers over on Instagram.

Come say Hello!