Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint to see the proven steps to get started.

Have you ever thought, “Someone really needs to fix this” about a product, garment or accessory that just doesn’t work the way you need it to? In this episode, I’m talking about the founders who take that thought and actually do something with it. These are the innovators who create functional, problem solving fashion products that genuinely make life better for the people who use them.

I’m sharing why the best design always begins with a problem, why frustration often sparks the most successful ideas and why you absolutely belong in the fashion industry even if you’ve never studied fashion or worked in it. I talk through real examples from inside my studio, from the triathlete who designed his own kit bag, to Tailored Athlete, to Nixi Body. Each of these founders started with a lived problem and trusted themselves enough to create the solution.

I’m also diving into the fear that so many first time fashion founders have about entering the industry.

Most people imagine fashion as a glossy, intimidating world, but the truth is very different. Innovation almost always comes from outsiders who understand the gap in the market better than anyone else.

If you’ve been sitting on a practical, functional or niche idea, this episode will help you see why that idea might be more powerful than you think.

I also talk about why niche products are often easier to sell, why speaking to a specific customer is an advantage and the question I always ask every founder. How would you feel if someone else launched your idea before you? Your answer usually tells you everything you need to know about your next step.

If you’ve been waiting for permission to get started, this episode is your reminder that the fashion industry needs more problem solvers, more practical thinkers and more people willing to fix what isn’t working.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and the question I always ask founders
03:00 Why design is really problem solving
07:30 Real examples from my own clients
15:00 Why you do belong in the fashion industry
22:00 The power of niche products
26:00 The risk of waiting for someone else to launch your idea
30:00 How it feels to launch a life changing product
35:00 Final thoughts and next steps

About The Fashion Startup
The Fashion Startup is the go to podcast for first time founders who want the courage and know how to start their own fashion brand. Hosted by me, Michelle Ramsay, The Fashion Expert, designer and mentor to hundreds of startup founders.

Subscribe and review
Follow The Fashion Startup on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a review to help more future founders discover the show.

Follow
Instagram: @thefashionexpertuk
Website: www.thefashionexpert.com

Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free ⁠⁠Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint⁠⁠ to see the proven steps to get started.

In this episode of The Fashion Startup, I’m joined by Barbara Chowaniec, founder of Fosho Petite, a Dublin-based womenswear brand creating timeless, perfectly proportioned pieces for women 145–155 cm tall. Barbara shares the real side of starting a fashion brand from scratch – the challenges, breakthroughs, and mindset shifts that helped her go from idea to launch in just twelve months.

We talk about how she spotted a gap in the market for elegant petite clothing, what it’s like to transition from a full-time job to becoming your own boss, and why mentorship and self-discipline are key to a smooth journey.

What you’ll learn:

• How Barbara turned a frustration into a fashion business

• Why self-discipline was the hardest part of being your own boss

• How mentorship simplified her startup journey massively

• What to expect from the first year of brand building

• Why your first launch doesn’t have to be perfect

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction01:27 – Meet Barbara04:10 – Finding a Gap in the Market06:29 – The Lightbulb Moment09:17 – From Idea to Action11:35 – Becoming Your Own Boss13:30 – The Power of Mentorship18:35 – Building a Brand in a Year22:45 – The Launch Mindset27:38 – Barbara’s Top 3 Tips for New Founders34:09 – Where to Find Fosho Petite

Links mentioned:
Fosho Petite: foshopetite.com
Instagram: @foshopetite
TikTok: @foshopetite

About Fosho Petite:
Fosho Petite is a Dublin-based womenswear brand founded by Barbara Chowaniec. Designed specifically for women 145–155 cm tall, Fosho Petite creates timeless, elegant pieces that celebrate proportion, comfort, and confidence – with no compromises.

About The Fashion Startup:
The Fashion Startup is the go-to podcast for first-time founders who want the courage and know-how to start their own fashion brand. Hosted by Michelle Ramsay, The Fashion Expert®, designer and mentor to hundreds of startup founders.

Subscribe & review:
Follow The Fashion Startup on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a review to help more future founders discover the show.

Ready to start your fashion brand? Grab my free ⁠Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint⁠ to see the proven steps to get started.

September is the perfect reset for fashion entrepreneurs.

In this episode, I explore why this month feels like a fresh start in the fashion industry and how first-time founders can harness the momentum.

From overcoming self-doubt to setting clear, realistic goals, I’ll walk you through a framework to plan the next four months and keep your fashion brand launch on track.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why September is the “new year” of fashion entrepreneurship
• How to align your fashion brand with the industry’s natural rhythm
• The mindset shifts to overcome barriers and get started
• Practical tips for goal setting and planning your next steps
• 
  

00:00 Embracing the September Reset

03:40 Aligning with the Fashion Industry's Rhythm

07:50 Reflecting and Planning for Success

12:35 Dreaming Big: Setting Future Goals

15:26 Taking Action Now

Whether you’re in the early stages of your fashion startup or looking for a motivational boost, this episode will help you reignite your spark and move forward with confidence.

Ready to start your journey? Grab my free Fashion Brand Launch Blueprint to see the proven steps to get started.

Or you can book a free and friendly chat with me to see how I can help you launch your brand by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠clicking here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast to be notified of new episodes and give it a 5-star rating and review to help me see which content you love.

See you in the front row!

Michelle Ramsay - The Fashion Expert®

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefashionexpert.com⁠⁠⁠