Fashion Designers Get Paid: Build Your Fashion Career On Your Own Terms – Details, episodes & analysis

Today we're flipping the script and interviewing the host, Heidi!

One of our FAST students approached with the idea of interviewing Heidi.  We talk about the highs and lows of running an online business, from epic launch events to the emotional rollercoasters that come with it. You'll hear about my transition from freelancing to a successful online business, the impact of therapy, and the crucial support systems that made it all possible.

Plus, there's a juicy insider tip on the art of interviewing—think curiosity over scripted questions. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just love a good success story, this episode is packed with insights that will leave you inspired and ready to tackle your own dreams. 💪

Resources:
SFD100 To Reach Your Goals in Fashion (and Life), Just Do ANYTHING

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If you want to scale your freelance fashion design business, there are three strategies you need to know.

Everyone's path can look different but Connie Bourgeois turned her side-gig freelance biz into a million-dollar agency in four short years.  With the right strategies and hard work, you can grow your fashion design business, too.  And if it all seems too good to be true, don't worry, because we are also diving into some of the cold hard truths that are the realities of growing a business.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, this episode is packed with client-finding strategies you can put to use today!  Hit play and kick-start your freelance growth.

Resources:
SFF147: "I turned my side hustle into my full-time hustle."

About Connie:
Connie Bourgeois founded Conjetta Designs to support designers and entrepreneurs by making their apparel dreams a reality! By sharing her extensive knowledge of design, development, sourcing, logistics, merchandising, and brand building, with both her team and her clients, Connie fosters an environment of collaboration, innovation and growth, allowing her clients to focus on growing their business instead.

Connect with Connie:
Visit her website: www.conjettadesigns.com
Email at: connie@conjettadesigns.com
Follow on Instagram
Connect on Linkedin

🎟️ Register for my training on July 24th: The Secret to Remote Clients and a Steady Paycheck in Fashion — now updated for 2025!
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Taxes aren't fun but paying more taxes than you need is even worse!

Choosing the right structure can have a significant impact on your taxes and personal liability.  This episode breaks down the essentials of choosing between a sole proprietorship, LLC, and S Corp so you can be confident in setting up your freelance business. Discover how the right business entity can save you money on taxes and protect your personal assets, all while making the setup process as painless as possible.

If the legal stuff sounds scary and is holding you back from diving in, hit play now (and throw that excuse out the window)!

Resources:
Do I Need an LLC to Freelance Blog Post 

🎟️ Register for my training on July 24th: The Secret to Remote Clients and a Steady Paycheck in Fashion — now updated for 2025!
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Launching a fashion brand is expensive. And many designers who dream of having their own brand find themselves stuck in this dilemma: You need to work to support yourself while you’re starting your brand. But a full time job hardly leaves any time to work on your line! In this interview, Atlanta-based sustainable designer Christina Yother shares how she launched and funded her fashion brand while working full time, freelancing, and navigating the effects of the pandemic on the fashion industry!

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

🎟️ Register for my training on July 24th: The Secret to Remote Clients and a Steady Paycheck in Fashion — now updated for 2025!
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This is a very special episode--and the last episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast. But don’t worry. Better things are coming, and we hope you’ll be along for the ride! In this episode, Heidi & Tara chat about the future of Successful Fashion Designer, and what this huge change means to you. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

🎟️ Register for my training on July 24th: The Secret to Remote Clients and a Steady Paycheck in Fashion — now updated for 2025!
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This is my second interview with Noémie Jouas, a young designer who started creating bespoke dresses from her college housing in small-town Scotland. Since I spoke to her last, she’s had her first runway show, adapted to the pandemic, and gotten her work featured by both Teen Vogue and Vogue. 

For links to Noemie and her original interview, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

🎟️ Register for my training on July 24th: The Secret to Remote Clients and a Steady Paycheck in Fashion — now updated for 2025!
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Learn new strategies for finding freelance fashion design clients, and charging a retainer for consistent income! Sophia is a full-time fashion freelancer who moved from NYC to Texas and grew her freelance business--during Covid! If you’ve been struggling to find clients for your freelance fashion business, this episode is a must listen.

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

🎟️ Register for my training on July 24th: The Secret to Remote Clients and a Steady Paycheck in Fashion — now updated for 2025!
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Canadian designer Alexandra Suhner Isenberg studied fashion in Toronto, London, and Paris. She’s worked for brands including Burberry, freelanced, and taught fashion. But when an antique men’s chemise became her favorite thing to sleep in, Alexandra was inspired to start her brand, The Sleep Shirt. Listen for her fascinating story and how she built a successful luxury brand based around a single garment designed to perfection. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

🎟️ Register for my training on July 24th: The Secret to Remote Clients and a Steady Paycheck in Fashion — now updated for 2025!
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Karen LePage is a freelance patternmaker and grader who specializes in size inclusivity and sustainability. She’s also a fit consultant, a sewing and fit teacher, an author, and a mom. Karen broke into the industry without going to fashion school, and she has built a thriving freelance business doing meaningful projects for clients she loves. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, Karen shares how she did it, and how she’s found happiness in an industry where she never felt she belonged.  

 For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to  Successful Fashion Designer!

🎟️ Register for my training on July 24th: The Secret to Remote Clients and a Steady Paycheck in Fashion — now updated for 2025!
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Atlas Menswear founder Aaron Woolf has been athletic his whole life. Although this father of 4 has been an entrepreneur in other industries since 2014, he never thought he’d get into fashion. But he was fed up with dress shirts that didn’t fit his muscular build. And when he started talking to other men at the gym about the issue, Aaron discovered that he wasn’t the only one who wanted a muscular men’s clothing line. In this episode of the Successful Fashion Designer Podcast, Aaron and designer Jessica Dixon share the steps they took to get from that first idea to a product they’re proud to produce for other athletic and muscular men. 

For the complete show notes, including links to the resources mentioned, head over to Successful Fashion Designer!

🎟️ Register for my training on July 24th: The Secret to Remote Clients and a Steady Paycheck in Fashion — now updated for 2025!
Sign up  at www.sewheidi.com/live