In this episode, Evelina Kaganovitch explores why building trust is more important than increasing traffic for e-commerce fashion brands. She shares her journey from fashion school burnout to becoming a messaging strategist, emphasizing the need for authentic storytelling and meaningful communication. Discover what the key to a successful email marketing strategy is, why brand messaging is crucial to long-term success, and how to enhance engagement and drive conversions through content.

About Evelina Kaganovitch

Evelina Kaganovitch is a data-driven copywriter for fashion brands looking to connect with their customers and drive conversions through engaging content. After burning out in fashion school, Kaganovitch turned to the startup world to combine her passion for writing, fashion, and entrepreneurship. Building off of her own experience in the fashion industry, Kaganovitch connected with fashion entrepreneurs looking to improve their brand messaging to help them better communicate with their audience. Today, Kaganovitch is a successful messaging strategist, using email marketing, ads, and sales pages to increase customer engagement and sales.

Website: evelinakreative.com

LinkedIn: @evelinakreative

Instagram: @evelinakreative

Youtube: @evelinakreative

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Takeaways

In this conversation, Rhea Lana Riner, founder of Rhea Lana’s Children’s Consignment Events, shares her 28-year-long entrepreneurial journey. What started as a simple clothing swap in her living room transformed into a multi-million dollar franchise, striving to make high-quality children’s clothes accessible and affordable. With an emphasis on community, values, and personal growth in entrepreneurship, Riner offers insights into what it’s like starting a business as a woman from the ground up. She discusses how she started her business, challenges she overcame, and rewarding experiences that made the challenges all worth it. The conversation highlights the significance of storytelling, the resale market, and the power of franchising in building a successful business.

About Rhea Lana Riner

Rhea Lana Riner is the visionary entrepreneur, CEO, and founder of Rhea Lana's Children's Consignment Events. In 1997, Riner held a simple clothing swap in her living room, seeking low-cost, high-quality children’s clothes. Since then, she has transformed her clothing swaps into a multi-million dollar national franchise with over 120 locations across 26 states. As a mother of three, Riner has always known that this business is about more than just clothes. Her events aim to empower moms, build community, and create flexible pathways to entrepreneurship. Riner has helped thousands of families access high-quality, affordable children's merchandise and has mentored franchise owners to grow professionally, personally, and spiritually. For the past 28 years, Riner continues to be a leader in the ecommerce space, building a values-driven business and inspiring women to take on leadership roles.

Takeaways

• Franchising offers a unique way to scale a brand sustainably.
• Connecting to the heart of your customer is essential.
• Fostering a community around your brand builds loyalty.
• Women can lead and grow businesses without compromising family values.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool for brand connection.

What does it really take to thrive in the ever-changing e-commerce world? In this special live edition of the Chase Your Dreams podcast from Ecom North, Glynis Tao interviews several inspiring leaders in the e-commerce space.

Hear from e-commerce founders Gillian Liu of Kiyoko Beauty, Hannah Wang of The Aesthetics Studio, Andy Hsu of MotionGrey, and Hellen Harbilas of Hellen’s Boutique, as they share success stories, challenges, and valuable insights on running successful businesses in the rapidly changing digital landscape. Each guest shares their unique experiences and growth strategies, emphasizing the need for adaptability and innovation in the e-commerce industry.

Ready to chase your own dream? Tune in and get inspired by real founders shaping the future of e-commerce.

About the Founders

Gillian Liu is the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Kiyoko Beauty, a Toronto-based online retailer for authentic Asian beauty products.

Website: kiyoko.ca

Instagram: @kiyoko.beauty

Hannah Wang is the founder of The Aesthetics Studio, an Ontario-based sticker and stationery shop with a focus on promoting mental health awareness.

Website: aestheticsstudioo.com

Instagram: @theaesthetics.studio

Andy Hsu is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of MotionGrey, a Vancouver-based ergonomic office furniture company with a mission to make standing desks and chairs more accessible and affordable.

Website: motiongrey.com

Instagram: @MotionGrey

Hellen Harbilas is the founder and creative director of Hellen’s Boutique, a Toronto-based brand specializing in luxury sculptural candles and handmade home decor.

Website: hellensboutique.com

Instagram: @hellens.boutique

Takeaways

• Consistent and quality content is crucial to e-commerce growth.

• SEO is a long-term strategy that requires consistent effort.

• Building trust with customers is essential for success.

• Authenticity and storytelling are important for standing out in crowded markets.

• A good product must be paired with a strong brand identity.

• In-person connections can enhance online business growth.

• Continuous learning and adaptation are vital for future proofing your e-commerce business.

  
  

Jeanel Alvarado, founder of RETAILBOSS, has built her career helping entrepreneurs navigate the fast-changing world of retail. In this episode, she shares how she went from starting a blog to building a global consulting firm, and the lessons you can apply to your own business. You’ll hear how consumer habits are shifting, what AI means for the future of online shopping, and why blogging and content creation are still powerful tools for building authority. By the end, you’ll walk away with practical steps to help you future-proof your retail business and stay competitive in a market that never stops evolving.

About Jeanel Alvarado

Jeanel Alvarado is a visionary leader in media and retail and the founder and CEO of RETAILBOSS, a platform she launched in 2011. With over 15 years in the retail industry, Jeanel has grown Retail Boss from a blog into an internationally recognized retail publication and consulting firm trusted by professionals around the world. She's also the founder and head of marketing at Stylebuy a B2B wholesale platform and fashion label offering women's, men's, kids' wear, and lifestyle products. 

Through her partnership with Glow, Jeanel hosts, manages, and produces fashion events and influencer gifting experiences. Her career includes serving as senior managing director at the School of Retailing at the University of Alberta School of Business, where she led consulting projects for major brands like Victoria's Secret, Tiffany & Co., and various real estate firms that own shopping centers and malls.

Takeaways

• Leverage AI search early to capture new customer discovery.

• Learn core e-commerce metrics to guide smarter decisions.

• Blog consistently to build trust and credibility.

• Optimize product pages for long-tail, detailed searches.

• Create content that proves your expertise versus making claims.

• Understand and embrace AI tools to stay ahead of competitors.

• Use physical retail to deliver memorable brand experiences.

• Pivot quickly when trends, tech, or consumer behavior shifts.

Contact info

Website:  https://retailboss.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/retailboss/

Email: jeanel@jeanelalvarado.com

In this conversation, Laura-Jean Bernhardson shares her experience as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry, from starting a knitwear business to opening multiple retail stores. You will learn about the benefits of building systems, mindset shifts that will help you grow with creativity and confidence, and ways to make your brand memorable. You will also hear about Laura-Jean’s pivot from retail brick and mortar to business coaching. Get ready to learn how to run your business the right way—through Laura’s lessons from decades in the industry.

About Laura-Jean Bernhardson

Laura-Jean Bernhardson has been an entrepreneur since 1994, starting with a handmade knitwear business that she grew into a seven-figure fashion design and retail company. Her boutiques, Fresh Collective, were known for carrying small batch artisanal clothing and accessories by local designers, including her own lines, Fresh Baked Goods, and Palette. But Laura-Jean didn't stop at fashion. She also co-founded a licensed daycare business that she ran successfully for over a decade. Over the years, her passion for mentoring other women entrepreneurs evolved into a full-time coaching business. Now, she helps founders grow businesses with heart, passion, and profit without burning out. And she's also on a mission to build a life that feels fun, flowy, and creatively fulfilling.

Contact info

Website: https://laura-jean.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/laurajeanbizcoach/

Takeaways

• Scale with systems by documenting processes, delegating decisions, and removing bottlenecks.

• Turn setbacks into wins by staying flexible and pivoting quickly.

• Collaborate strategically to share resources, cut costs, and create complementary products.

• Know your ideal customer through market research and tailor everything to their needs.

• Treat business like design by bringing creativity into sales, marketing, and operations.

• Hire expert help early to avoid mistakes and speed up growth.

• Push past fears to sell with confidence and connect authentically.

Welcome to the special Best of: Founder Stories episode of Chase Your Dreams.

If you've ever wondered what it really takes to build a fashion brand from the ground up and stay true to your values while doing it, this episode is for you. Over the past few seasons, I've had the privilege of speaking with some incredible women in fashion, designers and founders who've carved their own paths, built purpose-driven businesses, and stayed resilient through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. In this roundup, you'll hear highlights from four powerhouse conversations.

Stella Carakasi on pivoting her business model and staying authentic as a designer. Linda Lundstrom, a Canadian fashion icon known for her ethical approach to design. Kristi Soomer, who built a profitable slow fashion brand from scratch. And RozeMerie Cuevas, who took her Vancouver-born brand Global while protecting her brand's DNA.

Each story is different, but the common thread is clear. These founders lead with purpose, adapt with grit, and never lose sight of why they started.

Whether you're launching a brand or navigating your next chapter, you'll walk away with timeless advice, hard-won lessons, and the reminder that success in fashion doesn't come from following trends, it comes from following your truth.

About 

Glynis Tao is the founder & CEO of ⁠⁠Chase Your Dreams Consulting⁠⁠, which is an apparel business consulting & online marketing agency that specializes in ⁠SEO & AI search optimization⁠ for e-commerce companies.  She helps fashion, beauty and lifestyle e-commerce brands create optimized content and attract potential customers through organic search results.  

Contact info

Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://glynistao.com/⁠⁠⁠

Email: hello@glynistao.com

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@glynistao⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/glynistao.coach⁠

In this episode, Glynis Tao discusses how AI is changing the way SEO works, especially for fashion brands. She breaks down the differences between traditional SEO and AI-driven search, focusing on why authority and content structure matter more than ever. Glynis shares a case study featuring Nomi Designs to show how consistent, strategic blogging led to a feature in an AI Overview. She wraps up with straightforward tips to help you keep your SEO strategy effective as search continues to evolve.

About 

Glynis Tao is the founder & CEO of ⁠Chase Your Dreams Consulting⁠, which is an apparel business consulting & online marketing agency that specializes in SEO & AI search optimization for e-commerce companies.  She helps fashion, beauty and lifestyle e-commerce brands create optimized content and attract potential customers through organic search results.  

Takeaways

• AI is changing how people discover your brand and products.

• Traditional SEO focuses on optimizing for blue links.

• AI SEO is about optimizing for visibility and AI-generated answers.

• Content must be original, structured, and helpful to be cited.

• Blogs are essential for training AI to see your brand as an authority.

• Topic clusters help build topical authority for search engines and AI.

• Use schema to make content easier for machines to understand.

• Helpful content is prioritized by Google's helpful content system.

• Brands need to create content that aligns with natural language queries.

• Helpfulness beats fluff in content creation.

In this episode, Glynis Tao discusses the reasons behind declining website traffic for fashion e-commerce sites in 2025. She explores the impact of AI on search behavior, the importance of understanding traffic quality versus volume, and how to diagnose traffic issues using Google Search Console. Glynis also explains the need for a solid technical SEO strategy and the role of high-quality content in maintaining visibility and conversions.

About

Glynis Tao is the founder & CEO of ⁠Chase Your Dreams Consulting⁠, which is an apparel business consulting & online marketing agency that specializes in SEO & AI search optimization for e-commerce companies.  

She helps fashion, beauty and lifestyle e-commerce brands create optimized content and attract potential customers through organic search results.  

Takeaways

• Top rankings don’t guarantee clicks if AI answers show up first.

• Lower traffic is not always bad as it could mean better-qualified visitors.

• Use Google Search Console to identify what’s causing the drop.

• Replatforming without redirects can negatively affect SEO.

• Technical issues like slow speed and duplicates hurt rankings.

• Find out if the drop is seasonal, sudden, or gradual to fix it right.

• Blogs still build authority and feed AI content.

• Helpful, specific content keeps you visible in search.

• SEO audits catch hidden issues that impact traffic.

• Prioritize conversions over traffic volume.

Contact info

Website: ⁠https://glynistao.com/⁠

Email: hello@glynistao.com

Instagram: ⁠@glynistao⁠

Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/glynistao.coach

LINKS

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Timestamps

00:00 Understanding Traffic Declines in E-commerce

06:31 The Impact of AI on Search and Traffic

11:27 Diagnosing Traffic Issues with Google Search Console

16:30 Technical SEO and Content Strategy for Recovery

In this conversation, Christine Daal, CEO and founder of Fashion Angel Warrior, shares her journey from fashion designer to coach, emphasizing the importance of confidence, community, and a holistic approach in fashion entrepreneurship. She discusses her unique coaching methods, common mistakes made by fashion entrepreneurs, and the significance of adapting to industry changes. Christine highlights success stories from her clients, showcasing the impact of her coaching on their businesses. She also addresses the future of fashion, including the need to develop more workers for local apparel manufacturing and improving sustainability to keep up with global standards and consumer demands.

About Christine Daal

Christine Daal is the CEO and founder of the fashion consulting and marketing agency, Fashion Angel Warrior. Her experience spans over 20 years in the industry, reaching the position of VP of design and merchandising by the age of 30, and then starting her own successful fashion line. For the past 10 years, she has coached fashion printers on how to leave their nine to five and have a profitable business. Through one-on-one coaching, group coaching masterminds, fractional CMO services, online courses, retreats, manufacturing tours, and digital marketing services, Fashion Angel Warrior has become a one-stop shop for e-commerce brands.

Takeaways

In this episode, Glynis Tao discusses the importance of blogging for fashion e-commerce brands, emphasizing how high-quality content can enhance brand visibility and customer engagement. She outlines the key elements of effective blogging, including the need for SEO optimization and the creation of valuable, engaging content that resonates with the target audience. Glynis also shares real-life examples of successful blogging strategies and encourages brands to invest in a solid blogging approach to drive traffic and conversions.

About

Glynis Tao is the founder & CEO of Chase Your Dreams Consulting, which is an apparel business consulting & online marketing agency that specializes in SEO & AI search optimization for e-commerce companies.  

She helps fashion, beauty and lifestyle e-commerce brands create optimized content and attract potential customers through organic search results.  

Today we’re covering why blogging matters, what makes a good blog, and how you can use SEO to increase your visibility and boost conversions

Takeaways

• High-quality blogs can enhance brand visibility

• SEO optimization is crucial for blog success.

• High-quality blogs can rank in AI Overviews and traditional Google results.

Contact info

Website: https://glynistao.com/

Email: hello@glynistao.com

Instagram: @glynistao

Facebook: facebook.com/glynistao.coach

Links

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In this episode, we chat with Nikki Dindo, founder of Spring Media Co., a boutique agency specializing in social media management, influencer marketing, and media relations. Nikki shares her journey through the fashion and PR industry, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, storytelling, and strategic branding. She discusses her experiences working with notable figures in PR and her approach to launching Spring Media Co. The conversation covers common mistakes in social media and PR, the process of developing a social media strategy, and actionable advice for fashion entrepreneurs.

About Nikki Dindo

With over a decade of experience leading digital strategy in both Vancouver and New York City, Nikki Dindo is a powerhouse in the world of PR, social media, influencer marketing, and event production. As the founder of Spring Media Co., she and her team helps brands show up with confidence, clarity, and creative impact online and off. From managing influencer campaigns for global brands to producing shows at New York Fashion Week, Nikki brings big picture thinking and hands-on experience to everything she does. She's also worked with luxury clients like Park Hyatt and built authentic connections that go far beyond algorithms. When she's not supporting founders and creators through her agency work, Nikki shares her expertise as a social media instructor at Blanche McDonald, mentoring the next generation of digital talent.

Whether she's consulting from her hometown in Vancouver or creating content from a coffee shop in New York City, Nikki's all about empowering people to tell their stories well and build a brand that actually feels like them.

Contact info

Website: https://www.springmediaco.com/

Instagram: @nikkidindo

Takeaways

00:00 The Heart of Branding and Creativity

01:47 Nikki Dindo: A Journey Through Fashion and PR

05:56 Launching Spring Media Co.: A New Approach to PR

09:36 Lessons from Kelly Cutrone: Intensity and Clarity

13:36 Common Mistakes in Social Media and PR

17:30 Developing a Social Media Strategy: The Process

21:27 The Importance of Authenticity in Influencer Marketing

25:27 Case Study: Skip Hop Campaign Success

29:15 Finding the Right Influencers for Your Brand

33:03 Actionable Advice for Fashion Entrepreneurs

37:10 The Creative Influence of New York and Broadway

In this episode, Andréanne Mulaire Dandeneau, founder and designer of Anne Mulaire shares her journey of building a sustainable fashion brand rooted in her Métis heritage. She discusses the importance of authenticity and her commitment to ethical manufacturing and community support in the age of fast fashion. Anne emphasizes the significance of storytelling in fashion and how her cultural background influences her designs. She also highlights her initiatives to reduce waste and promote sustainability within the fashion industry, while offering valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

About Andréanne (Anne) Mulaire

Anne Mulaire is an award-winning fashion brand founded by Red River Métis designer, Andréanne Mulaire Dandeneau. This woman-led brand blends ethical manufacturing, inclusivity and Indigenous teachings, setting new standards for sustainable fashion in Canada. Rooted in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the brand started 20 years ago in Andreane’s parents' basement. Her collections celebrate Métis heritage through vibrant designs, eco-friendly practices, and empowering Indigenous communities.

Innovative practices have cut the brand's carbon footprint by 30%, reduced 15,000 pounds of textile waste, and lowered emissions equal to 143,200 kilometers of driving. In 2024, Anne Mulaire received the Sustainable Business Award from the Red River Métis Excellence Awards, nomination from the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards, and Clean 50 Award in 2025. As Canada's first Indigenous-owned B Corp certified apparel manufacturer Anne Mulaire champions integrity, transparency, and sustainability.

Contact info

Website: https://annemulaire.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemulaire/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnneMulaire

Takeaways

In this episode, we are joined by Shannon, owner of Simply Merino—a sustainable clothing brand based in Vancouver and specializing in Australian Merino wool. She shares her journey from teacher to fashion entrepreneur. She discusses how her values around sustainability, transparency, and community support have shaped the brand. The conversation explores the early challenges of running a business, the benefits of using natural fibers, and how customer feedback plays a central role in product development. Shannon also reflects on her recent trip to Australia to visit wool suppliers and offers a look at what’s next for Simply Merino, including upcoming product launches and textile recycling initiatives.

About Shannon

Shannon is the owner of Simply Merino, a Canadian clothing brand based in Vancouver that creates ultra-soft, sustainable everyday essentials for the whole family. Made exclusively from Australian Merino wool, Simply Merino offers cozy sweats, elevated basics, swimwear, and sleepwear designed with a minimalist aesthetic and a commitment to conscious living. With all production done locally in Canada, Shannon is closely involved in every stage of the process—from design to manufacturing—ensuring both quality and transparency.

Driven by a deep commitment to sustainability, Shannon has grown Simply Merino into a purpose-led brand that goes beyond fabric choices. Under her leadership, the company has diverted over 15,000 pounds of textile waste from landfills through its recycling initiatives. Her values as a mother, environmentalist, and small business owner continue to shape the brand’s mission. Whether it's educating customers on the benefits of natural fibers or building long-term supplier relationships, Shannon is redefining what it means to build a thoughtful, values-led fashion business from the ground up.

Contact info

Website: www.simplymerino.ca

Email: shannon@simplymarino.com

Instagram: @simply_merino

Facebook: SimplyMerino

Takeaways

• Involve your customers, but stay true to your design principles and brand identity.

• Be prepared to learn through trial and error if you’re starting without industry experience.

• Focus on niche communities that naturally align with your brand’s values.

• Local production supports quality, ethics, and long-term operational flexibility.

In this episode, James Friedrich, owner of Ambler Mountain Works and founder of Venturing Up, talks about pricing strategies for entrepreneurs. Drawing from his extensive experience managing a $60 million product portfolio at MEC and his own entrepreneurial journey, James explains how to set prices based on your products’ values and avoid common pricing mistakes in order to maximize profit.

James introduces the Pricing for Profit methodology taught in his free email course. He also provides examples of well-known brands that use value-based pricing to illustrate how companies could potentially charge more for their products.

Whether you’re a fashion brand owner launching a product or looking to create healthier margins on your products, James’ advice will help you to price confidently, attract ideal customers, and build a thriving, standout brand.

About James Friedrich

James Friedrich is the owner of Ambler Mountain Works and Venturing Up. He was formerly a senior merchant at MEC where he ran a successful $60 million product portfolio. He started his career as an entrepreneur and his goal with Venturing Up is to provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge, mentorship and community he wished he had when he started out many years ago. 

Contact info

Email: james@amblermountainworks.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesfriedrich/

Website: https://venturingup.com/

Free Pricing for Profit Email Course: https://venturingup.com/free-course

Takeaways

In this episode, Mia Umanos, CEO and founder of Clickvoyant, illustrates the transformative potential of Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for e-commerce businesses. She explains how using data-driven strategies can significantly boost revenue, and she provides concrete examples of how the approach has helped her clients make more money without increasing their ad spend.

If you're navigating the complex world of e-commerce, this conversation will open your eyes to the often untapped potential of GA4. Understand what GA4 is, what it’s used for, and whether your business is ready to hire a GA4 specialist to configure your website, interpret the data, and offer strategic recommendations that drive growth.

About Mia Umanos

Mia Umanos is the CEO and founder of Clickvoyant, an AI-powered analytics firm for e-commerce companies. She is a 15-year veteran of marketing analytics who grew her career from Junior to Director of Analytics inside Omnicom and JWT Agencies.

Mia has a talent for breaking down complex data concepts, empowering e-commerce business owners to understand their customer behavior and intent to make data-informed decisions. Her passion for analytics extends to education, where she leads workshops on Google Analytics 4 (GA4), making advanced data insights accessible to both new and seasoned entrepreneurs.

Contact info

Email: mia@clickvoyant.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miaumanos/

Website: https://www.clickvoyant.com/

Takeaways

• Adopt a data-driven approach to navigate growth and avoid plateauing in sales.

• Invest in foundational analytics knowledge to make informed e-commerce decisions.

• Use Google Analytics 4 to gain in-depth insights into customer interactions and behaviors.

• Use shopper behavior data instead of gut-feeling to enhance user experience and increase conversion rates.

• Track product efficiency ratios to focus on top-performing items and streamline inventory.

• Prioritize optimizing existing products and website design before adding new products.

• Design your website for your ideal customer.

In this episode, RozeMerie Cuevas, fashion designer and founder of Jacqueline Conoir and JAC by Jacqueline Conoir, shares her experience and lessons learned from over three decades in the industry. From her first fashion show debut at a nightclub in Vancouver at age 18, to establishing her Vancouver-based brand in 1986 with just a small tight knit team, to eventually expanding into the Chinese market in 2013—RozeMerie credits teamwork, adaptability, and a tremendous amount of hands-on effort to make it all possible.

If you’re a fashion entrepreneur, this conversation will inspire you as you hear RozeMerie’s sound advice on how to create long-term success by building a strong brand DNA and making smart operational decisions.

About RozeMerie Cuevas

RozeMerie Cuevas is an icon in the Canadian fashion industry as the designer and founder behind two Canadian brands, Jacqueline Conoir and JAC by Jacqueline Conoir. Growing up, RozeMerie spent her teenage years sewing clothes for herself and for her friends but didn’t consider pursuing a career in fashion. She never thought of herself as a “designer”, but after her first fashion show at age 18 that impressed the attendees—RozeMerie realized that for her, being a fashion designer was possible and that she should go for it! Studying economics and commerce at the time, she decided to change course and apply for fashion school. Soon after, she packed her bags to attend the prestigious ESMOD School of Fashion in Paris.

Upon her return to Vancouver, RozeMerie created the women’s fashion brand, Jacqueline Conoir—the name in honor of her late mother. Over an impressive 36 year career, she has not only created and run successful brands but also received numerous design and influential women in business and business innovator awards in Canada.

In 2013, RozeMerie expanded into the Chinese market after a serendipitous meeting with a Chinese brand developer. That new partnership led to rapidly growing JAC to 100 stores in major cities in China within three years. By 2021, JAC further solidified its position by welcoming the founder of the Alfini Group as a key shareholder, enhancing its management, development, and operations. This strategic move aims to establish JAC as a leading international designer brand.

Contact info

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rozemerie-cuevas-72b3531b

Website: https://jacbyjc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacbyjc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JACbyJC/

Takeaways

• Believe in yourself and have a clear vision.

• Establish a strong brand DNA to make yourself identifiable.

• Create engaging experiences for your customers to create a strong customer base.

• Respect and adapt to different cultures and business customs when entering new markets.

• Focus on taking one step at a time when building and expanding a brand.

• Empower your team and lead by example.

Summary

In this episode, Carol Shih, founder of ⁠Qode Space⁠, a Shopify web development and creative agency, shares her journey and the ethos behind her business and community work. Her approachable and outgoing personality, combined with a deep understanding of the challenges and nuances of being an Asian female entrepreneur in tech, allows her to connect and uplift others who face similar challenges and experiences. Not only does Carol share valuable advice for e-commerce business owners, she also shares about the impact of creating meaningful connections, embracing one's identity, and openly giving and asking for help from peers in the industry and wise mentors. As she balances her professional goals with motherhood, Carol also shares her honest perspective around “wanting it all” and how certain aspects of American Westernized culture can create challenges for mom entrepreneurs.

About Carol Shih

Carol Shih is an Australian-Taiwanese immigrant and the founder of Qode Space, a female and minority-owned web development agency. With a focus on Quality, Community, Transparency, and Purpose, Carol is committed to fostering inclusivity in the tech industry for women and minority leaders. She aims to balance the industry by delivering outstanding and high-quality design development work for e-commerce business owners. Additionally, Carol serves as a senior partner for Major Asians, an organization dedicated to providing exclusive and unique branding strategies to the AAPI community.

Contact info

Website: ⁠https://qodespace.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/karolz/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shihcarol/⁠

Takeaways

• Leaning on your network and mentors can provide valuable support and insights as a founder.

• The vision and mission of a company should align with its core values and target audience.

• Understanding customer behavior through data analysis is crucial for effective website development.

• Avoid the common mistake of trying to replicate competitors without considering your own unique customer base. Using data and analytics is crucial for making informed creative and development decisions.

• Balancing design aesthetics with conversion optimization is a challenge, but it's important to prioritize functionality and best practices for better conversion rates.

• Having mentors and a supportive community is essential for overcoming entrepreneurial challenges.

• American Westernized culture which tends to be more individualistic than other cultures can create challenges of isolation for mom entrepreneurs who think they have to do it all.

• Qode Space aims to continue supporting e-commerce clients for web development as well as be an incubator for young females in tech, and support Asian-founded brands.

• The A Major Asians podcast highlights and supports Asian-founded brands and aims to create a more inclusive community.

Chapters

00:00 Overcoming Challenges and Leaning on the Network

10:13 The Vision and Mission of Qode Space

15:26 The Common Mistake of Replicating Competitors

29:39 Using Data and Analytics to Inform Creative and Development Decisions

32:57 Balancing Design Aesthetics with Conversion Optimization

38:37 The Importance of Mentors and Community Support

43:53 Impact of American Westernized culture on mom entrepreneurs

46:40 Future vision for Qode Space

50:49 Major Asians: Highlighting and Supporting Asian-Founded Brands

Maggie Lord, founder of Rustic Wedding Chic, shares her journey of starting, scaling and selling her online publication while balancing motherhood. In this episode, you will learn about how Maggie started with blog writing and eventually worked with vendors in the wedding industry, diversified her revenue streams, and adopted new digital platforms to grow her audience, up until she sold the company to David’s Bridal. Maggie also talks about her current role as a strategic advisor to female-founded brands and shares her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

About Maggie Lord

Maggie Lord was an early pioneer in the online digital wedding media space, establishing her media company Rustic Wedding Chic in 2008. As a founder and CEO of Rustic Wedding Chic, Maggie led the company for 12 years before it was acquired by David’s Bridal in 2020. Maggie is also the author of six books. Today, Maggie has become a sought after strategic advisor to female founded brands allowing her to focus on sharing her knowledge and expertise with other like-minded entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses. Maggie and her businesses have been featured in the New York Times, Fast Company, Forbes, Business Insider, Success Magazine, and much more.

Contact Info:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggielordandcompany/

In this episode, Kristi Soomer, founder and CEO of ethical clothing brand Encircled, shares her insights on entrepreneurship in the fashion industry.

Kristi Soomer emphasizes the importance of understanding your customer and differentiating your brand. She discusses the evolution of Encircled from a travel clothing brand to a versatile athleisure brand. She also shares her motivation for starting her own business and the initial hurdles she faced. Kristi highlights the value of finding support and mentoring, as well as the need to adapt to industry trends. She offers advice for aspiring fashion entrepreneurs and gives a sneak peek into upcoming projects for Encircled.

About Kristi Soomer

Kristi Soomer is a visionary entrepreneur and sustainability advocate known for her work as a founder and CEO of the slow fashion brand Encircled. With a background in management consulting, retail and supply chain management, Kristi brings a wealth of expertise to the sustainable fashion space. Holding both an MBA and bachelor's degree in business administration prepared her for the challenges of disrupting the traditional fashion industry.

Encircled, under Kristi's leadership has become a beacon for ethical production, eco-friendly materials, and versatile garment design. As a certified B Corporation, Encircled exemplifies Kristi's commitment to making a positive impact on the environment, her team, and her customers.

A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Kristi shares her insights on sustainable fashion at conferences, events, and podcasts, inspiring others to embrace conscious consumption. Kristi Soomer's dedication to her community, philanthropic efforts, and passion for ethical practices are demonstrated through her coaching and online education business at kristisoomer.com where she helps up and coming entrepreneurs learn how to scale their business through coaching, her eCommerce Maven podcast, Facebook community and mentoring.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristisoomer/

Website: https://www.kristisoomer.com/

Company Website: https://www.encircled.ca/

Encircled Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encircled_/

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Understanding Your Customer and Brand Differentiation

06:16 Starting Encircled as a Travel Clothing Brand

09:57 Creating a New Category: Wander Leisure

11:50 Motivation to Take the Leap into Entrepreneurship

16:34 Initial Hurdles and Overcoming Challenges

25:38 Transitioning to Full-Time Entrepreneurship

30:11 Navigating Changes and Adapting to Industry Trends

36:41 Lessons Learned from the Pandemic

39:26 Advice for Aspiring Fashion Entrepreneurs

43:59 Exciting Projects and Future Plans

45:48 Contact Information

In this episode you will discover the journey of Canadian fashion designer, Linda Lundström. 

Linda shares her insights on embracing change, the impact of technology in manufacturing and why challenges should be seen as gifts. Join us for inspiring conversation with this true fashion innovator.

About Linda Lundström

Linda Lundström is an award-winning fashion designer, lean manufacturing practitioner, inspirational speaker, Indigenous ally, and creative director of online outerwear brand Therma Kōta.

Linda’s career spans over five decades in the fashion industry. She's well known for designing and building the Linda Lundström brand and a state-of-the-art Canadian lean manufacturing facility. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including three honorary PhDs. She was named to the Order of Ontario in 1995 and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. She is recognized as a champion of First Nations awareness, ethical manufacturing practices, and a proud supporter of the Made in Canada label. Linda's entrepreneurial journey is marked by synchronicity guided by mantras from her parents and a deep commitment to social responsibility.

Summary

Linda Lundström, a renowned Canadian fashion designer, shares her journey of resilience, innovation, and spirituality in the fashion industry. With over five decades of experience, she emphasizes the significance of seeing every life event as a gift, even setbacks like her company's bankruptcy in 2008. Lundström highlights the importance of paying attention to the universe's signs and believing in one's path. Her career is marked by her dedication to Canadian manufacturing, ethical practices, and empowering Indigenous communities through the Sewing Circle Project. She also discusses the transition from running a multimillion-dollar business to founding Therma Kōta with her daughters, focusing on sustainable, made-to-order outerwear.

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehackslinda

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lundstromlinda/

Website: www.thermakota.com