Shannon Lohr – Factory 45

Launch your sustainable & ethical fashion brand with Factory45.

Factory45 is the business school trusted by fashion entrepreneurs since 2014.

Learn how to source fabric, set up manufacturing and raise money to launch your brand — even if you don’t have a fashion background.

Here’s How It Works

Factory45 is a self-paced program that takes sustainable fashion entrepreneurs from idea to launch. Through action-based modules, vetted supply chain databases, templates and virtual training, Factory45 entrepreneurs are equipped to build a sustainable fashion business from idea to launch.

What You’ll Learn In Factory 45

Module 1: Sourcing

Effectively research and source the fabric and materials you need to create your apparel product, accessory line or collection.

• Connections to a database of hundreds of suppliers who sell sustainable fabrics and low minimums.
• Strategies to get a response from these suppliers, including exact scripts outlining what to say (and what not to say), so that you can build relationships and start confidently sourcing the materials you need.
• An in-depth understanding of sewn manufacturing, how it works, what you need to know to avoid mistakes and how to efficiently source materials for production.
• An overview of sustainability so you’ll have a clear understanding of what makes a fabric “eco-friendly” and whether it’s the right fit for your product.
• A materials inventory template so you’ll know the exact fabric and materials you’ll need to go into production.
• Training on how to create your sketches and a professional spec sheet — even if you can’t draw!

Module 2: Brand Identity

Identify who your ideal customer is, how to effectively communicate what you sell and learn proven strategies that will get a potential customer’s attention.

• An understanding of smart business principles that will keep you “lean” and out of debt.
• A complete brand strategy that speaks directly to your target market and represents the visual identity of your company.
• A pre-launch strategy that generates customer leads to create ‘early adopters’ of your product.
• Implementation of the #1 most effective marketing tactic for an ecommerce product launch.
• A “traffic engine” that will turn interested customers into repeat customers over time.

Module 3: Pre-Production

Connect with top industry designers, samplemakers, patternmakers and production partners that will help you turn your ideas into prototypes and patterns.

• Connections to dozens of vetted pattern/samplemakers who will work with you to create a “production-ready” pattern and prototype.
• Guidance and resources for navigating the sewn manufacturing industry as an outsider.
• Connections to production partners who will happily work with low minimums and pay a fair and living wage to their workers.
• A cost and budget analysis so you’ll know how much capital you’ll need to go into production.
• A database of resources for sustainable packaging, hangtags and labels.

Module 4: Ecommerce Marketing

Ensure that you’ll have buzz around your product launch. You can’t launch to crickets, so you need to learn how to build an audience before you start selling.

• A tried-and-true content marketing strategy that attracts CUSTOMERS.
• A media strategy for reaching out to press outlets so you can launch your product with buzz.
• New social media tactics to connect with your target market and turn them into “early adopters.”
• Implementation of my top 10 proven launch strategies and how to leverage them for your product.
• The marketing strategies you should actually focus on, so you don’t waste time and energy on what doesn’t work.

Module 5: Preparing for Launch

Test your product at market by pre-selling. See first-hand how your target market responds to your product and raise money before creating inventory.

• A complete plan-of-attack for launching a successful pre-sales campaign that will fund your first production run.
• Creative direction for marketing videos, photography, campaign strategy and product pre-selling.
• PR strategy for effectively communicating your unique selling position so you tell a compelling story that gets re-told.
• An exit plan for going into production without the headache, hassle or stress of not knowing what to do next.
• A SUCCESSFUL BRAND LAUNCH!

Bonus Workshop Recordings

In addition to the program curriculum, access 100+ recordings of Factory45 Workshops. For anything that isn’t covered in the portal, the live workshops fill in the gaps and offer topical advice. Examples of Workshops include:

• How to Avoid Red Flags and Scams
• How to Use Email Marketing Automations to Nurture Your Audience
• Crafting a Brand Story to Use for Pre-Launch PR Opportunities
• Managing Your Supply Chain Remotely
• Financial Fluency & Your First Tax Season
• Self Care & Overcoming the Mental Load of being an Entrepreneur
• Working with Fit Models, Grading & Sizing
• Working with Influencers, Building Relationships & Negotiating Partnerships
• And so many more!

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