This was the scariest decision I've ever made in my business.

I've made some crazy decisions over the years and I've tried some wild things in my business. When you're in business for a decade, trying and testing, facing tough decisions and sometimes failing is all part of the journey.

There was the time I thought I was ready to hire staff when I wasn't, and did it anyway. There was the time I decided to throw an event with only 30 days lead time to promote it. There was the time I decided to enter into a 12 month retail lease, but miraculously it fell through and a few months later we went into lockdown. Then there was the time I decided to close my online store, the little-bit-famous one that I grew over ten years to become one of the largest online stores for ethical and sustainable fashion - and I made that decision just last week. 

Closing the 1.0 version of The Fashion Advocate was the scariest decision I've ever made in my business. I ummed and ahhed for months. I debated, I questioned, I justified, I journaled, I talked it out, I even dreamt about it.

But I knew deep down I had outgrown what The Fashion Advocate was, and it was time for change. I knew deep down that making the decision to close The Fashion Advocate 1.0 meant losing something, but it also meant gaining something else. I knew I couldn't keep ignoring the feeling I had deep in my bones that something bigger and better would come if I had the courage to make a choice and change. I just couldn't ignore the feeling.

When I finally pulled the pin and relaunched The Fashion Advocate 2.0 as what you know it now - online courses and mentoring for ethical, sustainable, circular and slow fashion brands - I felt calmer, more centred and more sure than I ever have in business.

It was simultaneously the scariest and the best decision I've ever made - and the best decisions often are.

I still get to work in fashion. I still get to create positive change. I still love what I do. I still get to inspire people to think more ethically and sustainably - it's just that now those people are founders of fashion brands and businesses, instead of customers and shoppers.

If you're faced with a business decision or a big choice or a big problem and you can't work out what to do through talking it out or mapping out the pros and cons, you're looking in the wrong places for answers. Take some time out and stop trying to solve your problems literally, and start trying to feel your solution laterally. Sometimes when we're running a business, we can get so stuck up in our heads that we forget about why we started our businesses in the first place, and it's easy to get disconnected from our purpose when we're so caught up ticking off the to-do list.

If you're struggling in business and need a different perspective or you need help to approach a business problem in a new creative way, reach out. I'd love to help! I'd love to help you make a scary decision in your fashion business that could be the best decision you ever make.

Claire x

The Fashion Advocate ethical sustainable slow fashion marketing strategy mentor business coach

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