Running your own fashion brand comes with a few things you don't necessarily picture when you first dream about having one. Some are exciting, some are frustrating, and some are just plain ridiculous.
Here are a few things I've learned along the way:
1. You spend money before you even have it
Expenses always come before income. You just have to learn to stay calm when the cash flow is negative AF.
2. The endless internal debate
You might be a one-woman show, making all the decisions yourself, but the meetings inside your head are louder and more heated than a residents' meeting in an apartment building.
3. Working for free (kind of)
You work way more hours than a regular working week, and you don't even pay yourself for most of them. Everything you earn goes straight back into new materials, rent, taxes and, well, investing in the brand.
4. Choosing your battles
Your time is limited, so you have to be smart about deciding what needs your attention the most at any given moment.
5. Finding the silver lining
A quiet period with no orders isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's actually the perfect opportunity to dive into more creative ideas and work on new designs.
6. Surprise! You're a content creator now
You inevitably become a content creator, whether you signed up for it or not.
7. Every commute needs to be productive
While most people are scrolling on the metro, you're editing a Reel or uploading Stories.
8. A crash course in everything
You learn 92721237272727 new skills, all related to pretty much everything except fashion design.
9. A reality check from the tax office
Even if you have another job that already pays your social security contributions, you STILL have to pay them through your own company. Ain't it funnn?
10. The creative vs. commercial dilemma
You're constantly trying to find the balance between creative and commercial products, so that your brand can actually sell things and, you know, survive.
11. You are all in!
You become obsessed with your brand and do absolutely everything in the name of the brand!!!!
