Success can be temporary.  It can dry up if you're not prepared. There one day and *POOF* gone the next. That's exactly what happened to my guest in today's episode, Louise Ryan, a freelance footwear trend consultant.  She had a stable freelance income for a while but eventually, it dried up leaving her looking for answers.  She turned to my flagship program FAST and shares how she redesigned her freelance fashion career and essentially tripled her income.  Even with all the strategies at...

Is freelancing in fashion actually as good as it sounds?  From the promises of freedom to the ideas of total flexibility, it can be easy to get swept up in the "dream". There's a lot of positives when it comes to freelancing, but that doesn't mean that you don't have to put in hard work to achieve your freelancing dreams.  In this episode, Kate Knight opens up to share some amazing wins but also gives a realistic perspective of the ups and downs in freelancing.  We also talk about pricing...

Are you struggling to figure out your fashion design freelance rate? Do you find it challenging to determine how much to charge for your fashion design services? That's because no one openly wants to talk about rates or money.  In this episode, I break that silence in the industry by sharing real-life strategies that I've used in my own career and examples from real successful fashion freelancers for setting rates.  If charging hourly, by day, or per project has you scratching your head, push...

Sourcing in your freelance fashion career is a lot like matchmaking!  You want to make good connections that align well with your client's brand. You can build a great career by thinking strategically and approaching sourcing with care. Once you identify that sourcing isn't just about finding products or services; it's about creating valuable connections and delivering exceptional results, you can strategically start setting your clients up for success. Get ready for insights and practical...

If you're new to the fashion industry or unsure of your skills but want to start as a freelancer, you may consider being a fashion virtual assistant (VA) and earning while you learn.  Find out how you can transform your soft skills into hard cash. You don't need to be a super tech genius to work as a virtual assistant in the fashion industry; basic tech skills and a willingness to learn as you go are enough to get started. Tons of business owners are bogged down with tasks they can do, but...

Knowing how to add value to your clients without sacrificing your mental health is a lesson many freelance fashion designers learn on their freelancing journey.  It's all too easy to listen to self-doubt and let imposter syndrome creep in which ultimately will lead to resentment, burnout, or missing out on huge opportunities. So how can you land freelance gigs from big names while overcoming challenges such as low self-esteem and even geographical constraints? It's easier than you may think!...

Let's talk about two easy but often overlooked strategies to avoid the freelancing roller coaster of making $3,000 1 month and a $100 the next, and you're left wondering where your next fashion design is project coming from. By implementing these practical strategies in this episode of Fashion Designers Get Paid, you'll position yourself as the kind of freelancer that brands want to hire again and again, ultimately leading to more referrals and ongoing projects. So, if you're ready to start...

Want to kickstart your freelance career while learning a new industry skill, like Clo3D? In this Fashion Designers Get Paid episode, we hear a clip from a strategy session with fashion designer Sharon Hay, who's breaking into fashion from the tech industry and learning Clo3D. So, how can you build your network and line up clients while still learning? It's not about waiting until you're an expert before putting yourself out there. Instead, it's about engaging and sharing what you're working...

Ever feel like one of the biggest roadblocks in your fashion design career is procrastination? If you find yourself reaching for the newest or trendy technology hoping to finally find your holy grail for staying on task (spoiler alert: it wasn't it), then this episode has your name written all over it!  I talk with Grace Brodeur who specializes in helping entrepreneurs overcome procrastination so they can increase their time, financial, and mental freedom.  She shares her insights on setting...

What if you had to completely restart your fashion career?  And what if you were also faced with a lot of barriers? That's exactly what this fashion designer, mom of two, and my guest, Andressa Iop, faced when she moved from Brazil to the U.S.  Between learning a new language, juggling the hectic schedule of motherhood, and everything else, she found time in the cracks of her day to fit in time to rebuild her fashion career. Andressa shares more about her success and the amazing way she finds...

Is freelancing in fashion worth it? If you've ever wondered about being a freelance fashion designer (or PD, TD, patternmaker, etc!) then this episode will shine some light on the pros and cons of freelancing in fashion.  Let's get super clear on what true remote freelancing means so then we can pull back the curtain to reveal all the good and bad that comes with it.  Is freelancing really worth it?  Tune in to find out! Sick of being tied to a desk and want more freedom in your day, snag my...

Rejection doesn't have to be synonymous with failure. The truth is, there will always be rejection in your fashion design career and that can be scary (and totally normal!).  But whether you hear a yes or no shouldn't be what determines your success.  In this episode, I talk with Anne Benschop about the fear of rejection and the impact that can have as a freelance fashion designer.  We work on reframing her mindset to measure her success based on her actions, not others'. Don't let the fear...

Woah...did we just crack the code of sales conversations to land more freelance fashion design clients?! If you've ever felt sales conversations were scary or just need to elevate your sales game, then our guest, Nikki Rausch, is here to share her best tips and tricks to help you feel confident in your sales calls.  We talk about navigating the sales staircase framework, using the power of smart questions, and leading the conversation with finesse. Learn how to make your potential clients...

Being a freelance fashion designer means you can step outside of the norm and build a career your own way! Just like today's guest, Amanda Russo, who takes a little bit of a backward approach from what we may normally see.  She lives in Brazil and helps factories source new fashion brands and then manages the product development process.  We talk all about exactly how she got her clients, how she put together contracts and retainers to earn consistent income, and about her amazing experience...

Should freelance fashion designers attend a sourcing trade show? Let's go straight to the source with the vice president of the largest sourcing trade show in North America to get the answer and insider tips to make the most of your trade show experience.  Andreu David is the vice president of Sourcing at Magic is here to help find the perfect vendors and suppliers for your freelance clients or your own fashion brand, And so much more. As the Vice President of SOURCING at MAGIC for Informa...

Dreaming of more clients doesn't help grow your freelance fashion career...but these tips will! Hanan specializes in modest women's wear and aims to expand her client base but needs a little help navigating her niche. Heidi and Hanan delve into the importance of having a niche-specific profile on platforms like Upwork, as well as leveraging industry connections to attract new clients. They explore strategies for standing out in a competitive market and rekindling relationships within Hanan's...

There's a mind-blowing amount of nuances that go into being a freelance fashion stylist and who better to share all the deets than someone who's styled for Emmy award-winning TV shows? We have the pleasure of being joined by the esteemed freelance stylist with over 25 years of experience, Darshan Gress. With a diverse background in styling for TV shows like Project Runway and Top Chef, Darshan has now transitioned into personal styling for high-level executives.  From the importance of...

Is your corporate fashion job leaving you feeling beat down?  What if you could quit and land your first freelance client within a month? That's exactly what today's guest did!  Jenny Pflanz the highs and lows of transitioning from corporate to freelance work, including the challenges of projecting confidence, adjusting to the lack of office socializing, and seeking sustainability in the fashion industry.  You'll discover the power of networking, the importance of specific details in...

Is your age holding you back in the fashion industry? Ageism is a legit problem in the fashion industry, with some claiming that you're considered "old" after 35.  That's why I'm sharing some of my best strategies to help you combat age discrimination when looking for fashion design jobs.  From updating your email address to removing graduation dates and outdated projects, I've got you covered. I'm also revealing a hidden gem for avoiding ageism altogether!   It can not only help you escape...

Are you at a crossroads in your career as a freelance fashion designer? Wondering if it's the right time to quit your full-time job and go all-in on your freelance gig? You're not alone and in today's episode, we join Rachel Kranick, a freelance fashion designer who shares her journey and the challenges she's facing. Despite her success in the industry and a year's worth of savings, Rachel is torn between her full-time job and the desire to dive headfirst into freelancing. Heidi provides...

Here's your backstage pass to see the challenges and triumphs of building a global fashion brand with freelancers from around the world. Get ready to hear firsthand stories from Alexander Massey as he shares the ups and downs of working with freelancers and managing the logistics of manufacturing remotely. From surprise welcome hampers to finding the right balance between flexibility and boundaries, this episode is packed with insights and real-life experiences that every aspiring fashion...

A military pilot turned fashion designer?! Yep! And this awe-inspiring journey shows the possibilities of redefining your career path. Trudy Gardner's journey is nothing short of inspiring and she shares her story in today's episode. Expect to hear her secrets to landing clients, finding mentors, and embracing the world of 3D design. Trudy's passion for intimate apparel shines as she discusses her collaborations, courses, and even her very own podcast. Get ready to be motivated and learn from...

Feeling burned out in the fashion industry? Don't throw in the towel just yet! Burnout is real, my friends, and I've been there.  In this episode, I'll be sharing my personal story of contemplating a career change, why starting a fashion brand wasn't the right path for me, and the alternative I found that worked wonders. But before you make that final decision to quit, I want you to consider a few things. Trust me, the next ten minutes could be just what you need to hear before saying...

Break free from the endless tweaking of social media and portfolio and start landing paid projects.  Discover how to prioritize your efforts, create an impactful Instagram profile, and leverage in-person connections to gain clients. Get ready to step out of your comfort zone and make real progress in your fashion design business. In this episode, we approach the common problem of being stuck in the "productive comfort zone" that many freelance fashion designers face.  Just like today's guest,...