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,...

Want to know the ups and downs of building a fashion agency, navigating freelance work in fashion, and the incredible journey of transforming an inexperienced designer into a Clo 3D whiz?  Then this episode is just for you! In this episode, you'll hear how Kristen Anderson, a freelance fashion designer turned agency founder, took on a mammoth project that left her feeling overwhelmed and in need of a break. With pressure to go at lightning speed and a desire for control, Kristen shares her...

Are you tired of the rat race and longing for more control over your schedule? In this inspiring episode, textile designer Masha Khoruzhik shares her journey as a freelancer and how it transformed her life for the better. Masha's freelance career has brought her more than just financial success - it has allowed her to prioritize her mental and physical health, earn more money working fewer hours, and collaborate with renowned brands like Anthropologie. From setting boundaries with her clients...

Dreaming of working in the fashion industry and making money? Well, hold on tight because in this episode, we're diving deep into whether starting your own clothing line or freelancing as a fashion designer is more profitable. With personal experiences and insights from industry experts, you'll discover the surprising truth about which path will fill your pockets faster. Get ready to unlock the secrets of the fashion world and find out if your dream lies in launching a clothing brand or...

Ever wondered how freelance technical designers review garment samples remotely? Look no further! In this episode, we join Heidi and guest Sarah Wattley as they discuss the ins and outs of this fascinating process. From deciding who receives the sample first, to marking up tech packs and coordinating Zoom sessions, Heidi lays out multiple options to navigate the sample review process efficiently. Discover the benefits of having two samples sent to different parties, and explore the role of...

Get ready to unlock your potential as a fashion design freelancer with expert tips on getting clients on autopilot, offering valuable solutions, and becoming a trusted partner in your clients' journey toward success! Working remotely in the fashion industry can have its challenges.  Like confusing language barriers, knowledge gaps, and even plackets! You're not alone and our guest today, Ted Griffith, tells all about his journey as a self-proclaimed accidental fashion entrepreneur. From...

Imagine freelancing for one of the biggest names in the fashion industry while still in fashion school! If you're thinking that's impossible, then listen to today's episode to hear how our guest, Jade Wei, a freelance pattern cutter, did just that - landing a freelance gig with Alexander McQueen! From interning to launching her own brand, Jade opens up about the unique path she took in the fashion industry. Discover how she consistently attracts clients, raises her prices, and maintains her...

Before accepting your next fashion design "freelance" gig, make sure it's not illegal.  I'm exposing the exploitative nature of these so-called "freelance" jobs in the fashion industry so you know the exact red flags to look for. Step away from that temp job in disguise and start looking for real remote freelance fashion design opportunities (or technical design, patternmaking, etc!). When you think of freelance fashion design, you *hopefully* imagine the freedom to work on your terms,...

If you've ever found yourself stuck in your comfort zone and in need of a little push to take your fashion design career to the next level, you're not alone and that's the exact strategies we'll be talking about in today's episode. We'll explore common struggles with seeking permission and the fear of hitting send on important pitches through the lens of our guest, Jacqueline Schumann's, career. But fear not, because this strategy session will provide the guidance and mindset strategies...

Uncover this fashion designer's secrets to attracting clients and growing a successful agency, while also shedding light on the challenges and frustrations she faces when working with freelancers (and what you should do instead.) In this episode, Rachel Batterbee spills the secrets to growing your freelance fashion career, ways to expand your network, and insights on what frustrations she commonly runs into when working with freelancers. We dive into her experience starting Guided Makers and...

Welcome back to another episode of "Fashion Designers Get Paid"!  Today we have a fantastic guest joining us - the talented Mari Medina, a freelance knitwear designer. In this episode, Mari will be sharing her journey of building and growing her fashion career as a fashion designer, navigating the world of freelancing, and the valuable lessons she has learned along the way. From the importance of hands-on experience to seeking feedback and constantly evolving, Mari's insights are sure to...

Welcome back, fashion friends! It's Heidi here, and I am beyond excited to announce that we're back with some BIG changes on the podcast!  Our break was far from idle - we've been reflecting, brainstorming, and working on some exciting things behind the scenes. But let's dive right into what you can expect from our revamped show! First off, we are zoning in on our ideal listeners. We want to reach fashion professionals who are feeling burnt out and looking for more opportunities in their...

This episode is a little bit different than our normal episodes. In this episode, I’m going to talk about some of the amazing benefits of being your own boss while sharing some announcements about the podcast.  You’ll also get to hear some very exciting news about an upcoming event that we are pumped about!    For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

Referrals are one of the best ways to grow your freelance business but they don’t just fall in your lap!  If you’ve ever struggled with the confidence to ask for a referral or have trouble finding the right time or words to say, then this episode is for you!  Meghan is joining me as we dig into her referral strategy to discover what’s working, what’s not, and what could be improved. You’ll also hear Meghan share her challenges of asking for more work and being afraid of taking on anything...

We love all of the great things being a freelancer has to offer, but what about the tasks that seem really intimidating? In this episode, Stayce and I are jumping into these intimidating tasks head first (literally…we’re going to be tackling mindset!)     Find out how Stayce wraps her mind around tackling some of these intimidating tasks and landed a $10k project on Upwork!  Join us as she talks us through the very strategies that she used to pitch to that client, get them on a phone call,...

We’ve all been there – struggling to figure out what in the world to include in your tech pack portfolio, what NOT to include, what’s relevant and irrelevant… That’s why Christina and I work through exactly what her goals are and how to create the optimal portfolio to attract the right brands while doing the work that Christina loves! You’ll also hear about Christina’s struggles figuring out what aesthetic to pursue, since she was told she wouldn’t find work in the industry that she loves....

On this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer Podcast, we bring on Darci, who took an interest to sewing at a young age and followed her interests to fashion school. But, after moving to Florida, USA she quickly found that the only market for her skillset was in factories as a seamstress. This didn’t stop her from continuing her education, since along the way, she picked up crucial skills in software for patternmaking, started listening to the SFF podcast, and took a few of Heidi’s...

Have you ever wondered how much is too much when reaching out to brands? You want to be a proactive freelancer and let it be known that you’re available for projects, but the clients keep giving you the old “not now, maybe later” and you don’t want to be overbearing…What do you do?  This episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast is a clip from a Strategy Session I have with FAST: Freelance Accelerator student Renée, and we work on verbiage and strategies for keeping in touch with...

Can you imagine having the flexibility and resources to just simply… take 2 months off from work? Well, in this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast, I bring back a former FAST: Freelance Accelerator student and we discuss how she did just that. And get this: she funded it by quadrupling her income as a freelancer in the first half of this year alone! Definitely take a listen with Alexandra as we discuss how she accomplished this as well as the personal and philosophical...

One of the most common topics students ask on freelancing in fashion is pricing. Do you charge hourly or by project? How do you know you’re getting paid enough? What do you tell clients when you end up working more than expected? If you can relate to any of these questions, this episode is for you. In this strategy session with Laetitia, a lingerie designer from France, we discuss these issues and work through strategies that help you make sure your project prices are up to par, and that you...

You’ve tried everything to get clients – Upwork, cold pitching, you name it. In this interview with Aashika, she shares the same sentiment and advice on how she handles this hardship. She also shares literally ONE thing that she changed on LinkedIn that not only got her more clients, but made them approach her! Plus, keep listening for some valuable tips and transparent experiences on charging wages based in India, including getting a fair wage both inside and outside of India.  For the...

We can all agree that no matter what you have going on – life can get really busy sometimes. Between your job(s), freelancing, social life, family life – the list goes on – it can get so difficult to keep track of everything while building a freelance fashion career. Productivity and time management skills are quintessential to your success in the fashion industry and beyond, so this is a major talking point on today’s episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast.  While pregnant...

There are millions of reasons we might leave the fashion industry – burn out, starting a family, a big move, or just life in general… And I often find people asking if it’s possible to break back into the industry, whether they’re too outdated and not up with the trends, or that they don’t know the latest software. In this episode of the Success Fashion Freelancer podcast, I’m here to tell you that it’s TOTALLY possible, and how one of my former students did it. In this episode I interview...

Setting your rates is one of the hardest aspects of freelancing, and it might be holding you back. Such was the case of Chad Robertson, a freelancer who was severely undercharging for his services in the book editing and formatting industry. After Heidi hired him for a freelance job to edit her first book, Chad followed her advice to raise his rates and turned his annual earnings from $20,000 a year to a whopping $100,000! In this episode, we discuss how Heidi found Chad through his niche,...