Can a LinkedIn post really transform your freelance fashion design career?In today's episode, I talk with fashion designer Fernanda Martinelli... more

Are you scared of getting scammed from factories?  Here are the red flags you should look out for.Natalie is a... more

What do you do when the brand says you're too expensive but you know you're the right person for the... more

How do you go from fashion freelancer to owning a design agency?We're breaking it down in today's episode with guest... more

What if you could break the feast or famine freelance cycle with one simple mindset shift?I talked with Kyle Kushner,... more

Curious about turning freelancing into a stable career? It's possible with the help of these secrets on pricing, Upwork strategies,... more

What if getting new projects was as easy as sending a quick catch-up message?You've got a hidden goldmine in your... more

Today we're flipping the script and interviewing the host, Heidi - part 2!One of our FAST students approached with the... more

Today we're flipping the script and interviewing the host, Heidi!One of our FAST students approached with the idea of interviewing... more

If you want to scale your freelance fashion design business, there are three strategies you need to know.Everyone's path can... more

Building relationships even when you don't need that connection immediately is super important for your freelance career.  There are easy... more

With the right foundation and strategies, you can find massive projects on Upwork!No, really.  Upwork may have its cons (just... more

Pricing pitfalls are some of the easiest to fall into when it comes to freelancing in fashion.Are you pricing your... more

Ever feel like fate has a crazy twist in store for you? Courtney Osborn sure did, especially when she got... more

Networking is thrown around a lot in the freelance world. But how important is it really?The truth is, if you... more

Is scope creep devouring your profits and your freelance pricing sabotaging your success?Even seasoned freelance fashion designers can struggle with... more

There's one door to a corporate fashion job, but freelancing has countless doors waiting for you!  But making the switch... more

Ever been caught in one of those vicious circles that looks a little bit like this:  need a job to... more

Taxes aren't fun but paying more taxes than you need is even worse!Choosing the right structure can have a significant... more

How can you tell if a factory is legit?There are easy strategies you can use to vet factories in the... more

Get the eviction notice ready for the imposter syndrome that's moved in!  Imposter syndrome is something so many freelance fashion... more

Ever wondered why some fashion brands are slow to adopt 3D software? My guest, Sylwia breaks it down, sharing real-world... more

What exactly is a fashion consultant?  How is it different from a freelance fashion designer?Find out in this episode as... more

Are unsustainable practices in the fashion industry leaving you fed up and ready to jump ship? You're not alone but... more

When life gives you lemons you make lemonade...but what about when life gives you a job loss?  Or even a... more

Need More Clients? Learn how to use LinkedIn to create endless opportunities and grow your freelance fashion design business!We're not... more

Don't waste your time on freelancing platforms that are known for cheap pay and demanding clients.  But how do you... more

Saying 'Yes' to be a more desirable fashion freelancer is the quickest path to getting caught in a scope creep... more

Success can be temporary.  It can dry up if you're not prepared. There one day and *POOF* gone the next.... more

Is freelancing in fashion actually as good as it sounds?  From the promises of freedom to the ideas of total... more

Are you struggling to figure out your fashion design freelance rate? Do you find it challenging to determine how much... more

Sourcing in your freelance fashion career is a lot like matchmaking!  You want to make good connections that align well... more

If you're new to the fashion industry or unsure of your skills but want to start as a freelancer, you... more

Knowing how to add value to your clients without sacrificing your mental health is a lesson many freelance fashion designers... more

Let's talk about two easy but often overlooked strategies to avoid the freelancing roller coaster of making $3,000 1 month... more

Want to kickstart your freelance career while learning a new industry skill, like Clo3D?In this Fashion Designers Get Paid episode,... more

Ever feel like one of the biggest roadblocks in your fashion design career is procrastination?If you find yourself reaching for... more

What if you had to completely restart your fashion career?  And what if you were also faced with a lot... more

Is freelancing in fashion worth it?If you've ever wondered about being a freelance fashion designer (or PD, TD, patternmaker, etc!)... more

Rejection doesn't have to be synonymous with failure.The truth is, there will always be rejection in your fashion design career... more

Woah...did we just crack the code of sales conversations to land more freelance fashion design clients?!If you've ever felt sales... more

Being a freelance fashion designer means you can step outside of the norm and build a career your own way!Just... more

Should freelance fashion designers attend a sourcing trade show?Let's go straight to the source with the vice president of the... more

Dreaming of more clients doesn't help grow your freelance fashion career...but these tips will!Hanan specializes in modest women's wear and... more

There's a mind-blowing amount of nuances that go into being a freelance fashion stylist and who better to share all... more

Is your corporate fashion job leaving you feeling beat down?  What if you could quit and land your first freelance... more

Is your age holding you back in the fashion industry?Ageism is a legit problem in the fashion industry, with some... more

Are you at a crossroads in your career as a freelance fashion designer? Wondering if it's the right time to... more

Here's your backstage pass to see the challenges and triumphs of building a global fashion brand with freelancers from around... more

A military pilot turned fashion designer?! Yep! And this awe-inspiring journey shows the possibilities of redefining your career path.Trudy Gardner's... more

Feeling burned out in the fashion industry? Don't throw in the towel just yet! Burnout is real, my friends, and... more

Break free from the endless tweaking of social media and portfolio and start landing paid projects.  Discover how to prioritize... more

Want to know the ups and downs of building a fashion agency, navigating freelance work in fashion, and the incredible... more

Are you tired of the rat race and longing for more control over your schedule? In this inspiring episode, textile... more

Dreaming of working in the fashion industry and making money? Well, hold on tight because in this episode, we're diving... more

Ever wondered how freelance technical designers review garment samples remotely? Look no further! In this episode, we join Heidi and... more

Get ready to unlock your potential as a fashion design freelancer with expert tips on getting clients on autopilot, offering... more

Imagine freelancing for one of the biggest names in the fashion industry while still in fashion school!If you're thinking that's... more

Before accepting your next fashion design "freelance" gig, make sure it's not illegal.  I'm exposing the exploitative nature of these... more

If you've ever found yourself stuck in your comfort zone and in need of a little push to take your... more

Uncover this fashion designer's secrets to attracting clients and growing a successful agency, while also shedding light on the challenges... more

Welcome back to another episode of "Fashion Designers Get Paid"! Today we have a fantastic guest joining us - the talented... more

Welcome back, fashion friends! It's Heidi here, and I am beyond excited to announce that we're back with some BIG... more

This episode is a little bit different than our normal episodes. In this episode, I’m going to talk about some... more

Referrals are one of the best ways to grow your freelance fashion design business but they don’t just fall in... more

We love all of the great things being a freelance fashion designer has to offer, but what about the tasks... more

We’ve all been there – struggling to figure out what in the world to include in your tech pack portfolio... more

On this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer Podcast, we bring on Darci, who took an interest to sewing at... more

Have you ever wondered how much is too much when reaching out to brands? You want to be a proactive... more

Can you imagine having the flexibility and resources to just simply… take 2 months off from work? Well, in this... more

One of the most common topics students ask about freelancing in fashion is pricing. Do you charge hourly or by... more

You’ve tried everything to get clients – Upwork, cold pitching, you name it. In this interview with Aashika, a freelance... more

We can all agree that no matter what you have going on – life can get really busy sometimes. Between... more

There are millions of reasons we might leave the fashion industry – burn out, starting a family, a big move,... more

Setting your rates is one of the hardest aspects of freelancing, and it might be holding you back. Such was... more

Everyone has to start somewhere in the fashion world. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Freelancer podcast, you’ll get... more

Starting your own fashion brand is the dream for many – but it’s not a walk in the park. In... more

Surface pattern design is a broad category that includes textile design and print and pattern design for all sorts of... more

If you’re interested in freelancing in the fashion industry, but you don’t know where to start, this one’s for you!... more

Struggling to find a job (even after attending a respected fashion school)? Stuck at a job that sucks the joy... more

Are you charging too much as a freelance fashion designer? Money is one of the most awkward subjects for many... more

Whether you’re new to the fashion industry or you’ve only worked for bigger brands, sourcing fabrics and trims for smaller... more

On the surface, it sounds like Krystal has it all—a thriving freelance fashion design biz, FIFTEEN solid clients, and a... more

“I can’t freelance—I need a stable job.” One of the biggest misconceptions about freelancing in fashion is that it’s feast... more

One of the MOST common reasons aspiring fashion freelancers put off building their freelance career is not having enough time.... more

The high cost of fashion school shouldn’t be the thing that keeps you from working in the industry you love.... more

You’ve landed a new client, and the trial project they requested went great! You’re ready to start the full project... more

Successful Fashion Freelancer Alison Hoenes has grown her freelance business to 75% more than her old full-time income in just... more

How do you grow from your first few clients to a thriving, fully booked freelance biz? After four years as... more

A common myth about freelancing is that it’s unstable, and you have to hustle 24/7 to get enough projects to... more

You’ve put in the time and the work. Now there's only one thing standing between your side hustle becoming your... more

Congrats! You’ve landed your first big freelance client on Upwork… now what? It appears you got your work cut out... more

Pitching on Upwork can be tough. Despite knowing that you're THE perfect fit for projects, it can be a struggle... more

Starting a new career is scary, and it can be easy to underestimate what you bring to the table when... more

"Just realized I'm permalancing and I hate it! How do I 'Quit'?" Finding yourself in the world of... more

One place new fashion freelancers get stuck all the time is figuring out what services to offer. If you’ve been... more

Ever wondered what your clients & potential clients are thinking? What makes them decide to hire a freelancer from a... more

Ah, puberty. That fun phase we all go through. When surprises pop up that NO ONE prepared you for, everything... more

Even if you’ve been in the fashion industry for years (or decades!), transitioning to a freelance career presents a unique... more

“It’s practically impossible to break into fashion.” If you’ve ever believed this myth, you’re not alone. And that’s how today’s... more

If you’ve ever felt rusty or worried that you’re losing your edge in your fashion career, this episode is for... more

You shouldn’t have to choose between your fashion career and your family. That “9 to 5” (more like 7 AM... more

As a freelancer in fashion, should you offer the skills you already know how to do well, or learn new... more

Freelance patternmaker Alexandra doesn’t have a fashion degree, and she doesn’t live in a fashion hub. Yet with only a... more

If you’ve never considered freelancing as an option for your fashion career, you’re not alone. Today’s guest, Amy, liked working... more

In this Fashion Freelancer Q&A you’ll hear from Mari, a freelance knitwear designer who’s working on perfecting her pricing strategy.... more

One of the most common myths about freelancing in fashion is that brands won’t pay a fair hourly wage. Today’s... more

Sometimes the thing you *think* you’re stuck on is just a distraction from what’s really holding you back. In this... more

Launching a fashion brand is expensive. And many designers who dream of having their own brand find themselves stuck in... more

This is a very special episode--and the last episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. But don’t worry. Better things... more

This is my second interview with Noémie Jouas, a young designer who started creating bespoke dresses from her college housing... more

Learn new strategies for finding freelance fashion design clients, and charging a retainer for consistent income! Sophia is a full-time... more

Canadian designer Alexandra Suhner Isenberg studied fashion in Toronto, London, and Paris. She’s worked for brands including Burberry, freelanced, and... more

Karen LePage is a freelance patternmaker and grader who specializes in size inclusivity and sustainability. She’s also a fit consultant,... more

Atlas Menswear founder Aaron Woolf has been athletic his whole life. Although this father of 4 has been an entrepreneur... more

Shilo Byrd has been in the industry for a decade and a half, and she knows her stuff. She’s a... more

Alex is a self-taught freelance technical designer living in Ottawa, Ontario. He didn’t go to fashion school, and he never... more

To celebrate the new year, I'm sharing one of our most popular episodes EVER. Whether you caught this one the... more

Since it's a holiday week here in the US, I'm sharing one of my favorite podcast episodes! Judy Karp worked... more

Have you ever found yourself sitting at your day job, feeling like something is missing? Have you always been full... more

Since it's Thanksgiving week here in the US, I'm sharing one of my favorite episodes from this past year. It's... more

Oni Auer is a design director and fashion career mentor in NYC. She got started in fashion by scoring a... more

Juan Pablo Martínez is a Colombian designer who has worked in sustainability for more than ten years, and in the... more

*Note: This episode has a slight tic on the guest’s audio that we were unable to repair. But the interview... more

Anna Triantafellou designs fantasy couture dresses for girls, and her business is now so successful that she supports her family... more

When you think about starting your own clothing line, you probably imagine garments you designed completely from scratch gracing a... more

Understanding trends and the direction the market is going to go is vital for anyone working in fashion. Print and... more

Mat Booth started his fashion career with a product design degree, some knowledge of sports, and a lot of passion.... more

Not all successful fashion designers go to fashion school. Lila Stewart used to do marketing in the music industry, and... more

Like many people working in the industry, Emilee Goff always knew she wanted to go into fashion. But when she... more

Selena Leong has worked her way up from production associate, to product development, to technical design, to apparel design. Along... more

If you want to see your garments and accessories in the hands of more than just a few customers, you... more

Note: This episode was recorded several months ago, before the influx of major current events took over our collective awareness.... more

Do you really need a contract as a freelance fashion designer? What should your contract include? On this episode of... more

Noemie Jouas is a self-taught designer who runs a bespoke dress brand that keeps her steadily busy with several clients... more

Note: This episode was recorded a few months ago, before the world got turned upside down. While we don't discuss... more

Note: This episode was recorded several months ago, before the Covid-19 pandemic took over all of our lives. While we... more

Freelance pattern maker and product development specialist Alison Hoenes left her full-time job after just 3½ years in the industry... more

How do you prevent your fashion designs from being stolen and safeguard your brand? And as a business owner, how... more

When you’re launching a label, there are so many options and details that it can overwhelm even the most savvy... more

In this special episode, Heidi chats with her husband Marc about her journey in fashion. Heidi talks about the one... more

Steve Villanueva is an entrepreneur with a history of success in multiple industries. And, like at least 40% of men,... more

Michele Mavi is a recruiter and Strengths Coach who’s worked with fashion job seekers for over 15 years. On this... more

Guests on the SFD podcast tend to fall into one of three categories: They’re employed by a company in the... more

In this special episode, check out Heidi’s interview on the Spirit of 608 podcast. The interview, which originally aired in... more

Have you been dreaming of beginning a freelance career, but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’ve been freelancing... more

(On this special episode, I get personal. If that's not your thing, no worries--it's back to fashion insider interviews on... more

When you first decide to work in the fashion industry, going to fashion school can seem like the one thing... more

Is it possible to start a successful fashion brand when your niche is super small?    Meet Erika Neumayer Ehrat... more

Fashion is a tough scene. Even when you manage to break into the fashion industry, how do you get into... more