This is a shared version of the original interview that published on https://jordanprindledesigns.com/blog
October 24, 2019 Business
Interviewing Lisa at Launch Your Collection, LLC. was so fascinating!
Not only has Lisa worked in the New York fashion industry for 19 years, she worked with huge brands like Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs and J. Mendel. But, Lisa’s impressive accomplishments don’t stop there.
She has now created a successful business helping entrepreneurs launch their fashion business with ease, even if they have zero experience in the fashion industry.
If that claim peaks your interest, the way it did for me, keep reading to get the full interview!
WHAT IS LAUNCH YOUR COLLECTION?
Launch Your Collection is a one-stop apparel launch consultancy that helps fashion entrepreneurs to launch their apparel brands through our purposefully crafted launch packages that follow our signature 5-step launch process. We also work with celebrities and public figures to expand their brand portfolios within the fashion sector. We are the only apparel launch company in existence today that offers every major service needed to develop, launch, and grow your apparel brand -- all in one place.
WHAT CALLED YOU TO THIS WORK?
I spent 19 years working in the New York fashion industry at the corporate headquarters of Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, and J. Mendel. Using all of the knowledge I gained while working in the industry, I saw a need to help those who were setting out to launch their own apparel brands, but had no experience or fashion background, and had no idea how to start or where to even begin.
WHAT WAS THE PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR YOU THAT MADE YOU WANT TO DEDICATE YOURSELF TO THIS TYPE OF WORK?
When I was offered a book deal from Wiley to write, Becoming a Fashion Designer, I saw how much of an impact the book had on aspiring fashion designers. I knew I could take it a step further by starting a business that made the complex process of launching an apparel brand easy for those who were just starting out.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGH AS A BUSINESS OWNER?
My career high has been in conceiving the unique idea I had for my business. It is not easy to figure out how to launch an apparel brand for any client around the world remotely and I spent a great deal of time and effort building relationships and creating a foolproof launch process for my clients that has helped numerous clients, from interior designers, computer engineers, financial advisors, mompreneurs, nurses, doctors, college students, and people from various different industries, with no background in fashion -- to launch their own apparel brands.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST STRUGGLE?
Time management. When you are a business owner, you wear so many different hats and really have to learn how to prioritize your time and figure out what areas of the business need the most focus.
YOU MENTIONED ANYONE IS ABLE TO LAUNCH AN APPAREL BRAND, NO FASHION EXPERIENCE NEEDED. UNPACK THAT FOR ME.
Using our Learn as You Launch™ philosophy, my in-house team and I will guide, educate, and mentor our clients step-by-step through the launch process, so they can save time and avoid costly mistakes, and always have a knowledgeable team by their side, every single step of the way. We offer all-inclusive packages that give our clients every service they need to successfully launch and grow their apparel brand.
YOU’VE WORKED FOR RALPH LAUREN AND MARC JACOBS, HOW HAS THAT SHAPED YOUR BUSINESS?
To be able to work for the top designers in the world was truly invaluable and such a fantastic and memorable experience! I was honored to be one of the few employees at Ralph Lauren Corporation who was able to participate in design meetings with Ralph himself. I learned so much about how every little detail matters (a trait I already shared with Ralph) and the importance of having and sticking with a vision. I offer these same principles to my clients for each of their launches.
YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU ARE A WILEY AUTHOR. WHAT IS THAT AND HOW DOES IT PLAY INTO LAUNCH YOUR COLLECTION?
I was offered a book deal from Wiley to write the book, Becoming a Fashion Designer, which is part of their Careers in Design series. The English version published worldwide in 2013, the Mandarin version published in 2015, and the Arabic version published this year. Being an authority for how to launch a career in fashion design goes hand-in-hand with helping my clients start their own fashion businesses.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE WANTING TO START AN APPAREL BRAND?
Make sure you work with a trustworthy apparel launch consultancy, who has the knowledge, skill, and a proven system in place to navigate you through the complex process. We have had so many clients who attempted to launch on their own, thinking it wasn’t that difficult, and afterward came to us, with months and months lost and thousands of dollars wasted, with nothing to show for it -- many of whom worked with untrustworthy resources. While I feel so happy to be able to help them get back on their feet, it is much more ideal to work with an apparel launch consultancy from the start, to avoid this highly negative experience.