Busyness won't launch your brand - this will.

When I first started working with founders who wanted to know how to start a fashion brand with no experience, I noticed the same pattern over and over (and still do). Being frank, they're all over the place!

I'm talking Pinterest boards full of inspiration, Notes app full of musings, endless bookmarks of resources and lists of factories to “look into.” Hours fiddling with logo ideas and late nights scrolling for hacks.

Absolutely busy as anything with a head full to the brim...but not actually moving forward.

The Founder Trap

You’ve been sold the idea that if you just hustle harder, stay up later, and research all the things, eventually our brand will take off.

But in all honesty activity isn’t the same as progress and busyness certainly isn’t the same as building a brand. It might feel uncomfortable to hear, especially when you see yourself in some of this, but really, if you don’t know what stage you’re in, you’ll just waste your energy trying to master everything at once.

The Strategic Shift

This will surprise you, but when founders join me inside The Fashion Startup Academy, the first thing we do isn’t more.

It’s about doing less, and focusing on the right things in the right order.

I call it quieting the noise and it's a gamechanger.

Instead of asking, “How can I get this done faster?” We ask, “Is this even the thing you should be doing right now?”, and ironically, this is what will get you there faster.

Because setting up an Instagram account or website won’t help you if you don’t have a product ready.

Finding a manufacturer is pointless if you haven’t nailed your designs.

Perfecting your logo doesn’t matter if you don’t even know who you’re designing for.

The sewing class you're doing is your way of trying to take action but will you ever sew your garments yourself?

So why are you doing it? Harsh but true.

Busyness vs. Strategy

Busyness feels like this:

– A to-do list that never ends

– Spinning plates and hoping nothing crashes

– Googling every answer at 1am

Strategy feels like:

– Knowing exactly which step comes next

– Building in the right order so nothing collapses

– Saving your time, money, and sanity

The Questions That Stop the Spiral

When I work with Academy members, we ask things like:

– Am I designing products people actually want, or what I just like?

– Do I know how to find the right factory, or am I gambling on Google?

– Am I building a brand that’s ready to launch, or just collecting a list of tasks?

The Startup Realisations

You can’t hustle your way out of a lack of strategy. Productivity won’t fix an unclear vision. Knowing the right next step is more powerful than doing all the steps together right now.

The Fashion Startup Academy

Inside the Academy, I walk you through the exact roadmap from idea to launch in very clear stages.

– No more second-guessing.

– No more wasted time.

– No more running yourself into the ground with nothing to show for it.

The most successful founders I work with aren’t the busiest. they’re the most strategic, the ones with a plan, because they know what to do, when to do it, and why it matters. And that’s exactly what I’ll show you inside The Fashion Startup Academy.

If you’re ready to stop running in circles and start building your brand with clarity, you can join me here...

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See you in the front row,

About me...

I’m Michelle Ramsay, a fashion designer and startup mentor with over 20 years in the industry. Through The Fashion Expert® and The Fashion Startup Academy, I help first-time fashion founders (usually with zero experience in the industry) go from raw idea to launching a fully fledges brand.

Over the past 10 years, I’ve guided hundreds of entrepreneurs to launch their own clothing lines by designing their collections and tech packs, helping them find a suitable manufacture, and mentoring them throughout the whole launch process. I've worked on everything from functional activewear and gender neutral streetwear to sustainable trend-led brands for men, women and children.

If you’re dreaming about starting a fashion brand but feel stuck Googling “how to start a clothing line in the UK” late at night, you’re in the right place.

My step-by-step process helps you avoid common mistakes, save money, and launch a brand you’re proud of. Want to take the next step? Find out more about The Fashion Startup Academy here.

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