Listen to my LIVE interview on Disrupt Radio's Start-Up Nation show with Jules Lund to learn about dealing with setbacks.

I was recently interviewed by Jules Lund for Disrupt Radio's Start-Up Nation show on my experience with setbacks and how I deal with them. Delving into one of my biggest setback stories was such a great reminder that when you're growing a business, it's a constant process of two steps forward and one step back, or sideways. Business is never linear, and that's ok.

Nothing in business is easy. You can have a great strategy to make it easier, and you can have a strong purpose to enjoy it more, but there will always be challenges and hurdles to overcome. That's the only guarantee in business.

How you deal with setbacks, challenges and curveballs is what sets you apart in the business world, and sometimes you have to get really creative to get through it all. 

Read the key takeaways from the interview below or you can catch up on the recording here...

1️⃣ Setbacks are going to happen. You can plan and plan and plan, but in business, the occasional meltdown is unavoidable. In 2020, I'd fitted out our second retail store and we were ready to go. The lease was signed, our racks were full, the float was in the till, the lot. And the week we were meant to open, the first round of the Melbourne lockdowns happened, and we couldn't do a single thing about it. 

2️⃣ How you deal with setbacks is what sets you apart as a business owner. After the shock subsided and I'd drank my fair share of red wine, it was time to find a solution. I spent a week stressing, crying and questioning how we were going to get out of this debt and come out alive as a business, and I'd lulled in it long enough. Instead of focusing on all the things I couldn't do, I focused on what I could do, and even though I couldn’t open my doors, I could reach customers in a really personal way through social media, so I came up with a plan.

3️⃣ When you look for the silver lining, you give yourself an opportunity to grow. Setbacks in business are the only guarantee, but if you approach them with an open mind, work through them, give yourself the space to deal with them and then look for the silver lining, you can give yourself an opportunity to grow. Being in business isn't just about growing as a business, it's about personal growth too, and every challenge is an opportunity to work on yourself, test your resilience, and get outside your comfort zone.

If you’re running an ethical, sustainable, circular or slow fashion business and you're facing some challenges, know that it's normal. 

If you want to learn how to work through them, book a strategy session here and I’ll help you move forward with an action plan. 

Claire x

Listen to my LIVE interview on Disrupt Radio's Start-Up Nation show with Jules Lund to learn about dealing with setbacks with Claire Goldsworthy The Fashion Advocate

 

The Fashion Advocate ethical sustainable circular slow fashion business strategy mentor online course marketing how to

I spent my first five years in business stressed and in debt.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or if you're not making enough sales to survive, you're not alone. I've been there.

I was exhausted and I wanted to quit.

Then I worked out a strategy that dramatically changed my business, increased my sales, and saved me time. I want to share it with you!

READ MY STORY

Want to know the top three ways to grow a successful and sustainable fashion brand?

  • ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS

    Every week on Instagram, you can ask me anything about fashion, business, ethical manufacturing, sustainability, and growth to get the answers you need to overcome challenges. Marketing, PR, your strategy, sales, how to wholesale, Instagram engagement, customers, sourcing... Whatever it is, ask me your questions and I'll go LIVE on Instagram with the answers you need to move forward.

    FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM HERE

  • KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

    To build a successful, sustainable and profitable fashion business, you have to empower yourself with knowledge and learn from others in the industry. I ran one of the largest online stores for ethical and sustainable fashion for over a decade, and I learned the ins and outs and the rights and wrongs of building a business. Now I'm sharing my strategies on my blog so you can take what you need to grow!

    READ THE BLOG HERE

  • BUILD YOUR SKILLSET AND LEVEL UP

    The only difference between a big fashion business and a small fashion business is a different skillset. Everything your competitors know - you can learn. My online courses and masterclasses are specifically designed for ethical and sustainable fashion brands, labels and businesses, so you can build your skillset, level up, fast-track your success and increase your impact.

    BUILD YOUR SKILLSET NOW