The Fashion Ambition Podcast

In this episode of The Fashion Ambition podcast, I was lucky enough to get Tiffany Kwong to dish her best advice for aspiring brand managers, as well as career tips for fashion creatives. On top of being a brand marketer, Tiffany is a content creator and the founder of the blog @thepickyprincess where she shares fashion and beauty reviews. So when it comes to advice, you *know* she doesn't pull any punches. We cover everything from what makes a good brand manager, to how to grow your brand, to creating branded content. We even jump into navigating employment contracts and negotiations as a newbie.  If you're considering a career as a brand manager, if you want to grow your own brand, or if you're new to the job search, you're going to want to tune in! 

Hi everyone, and welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, I'm chatting with Kristina Derrick and Regi Sankey from STRAY Model Management, a Saskatoon-based boutique modeling agency. Kristina is the Founder and Agency Director, and Regi is the Director of Development and lead makeup artist at STRAY. We talk about each of their career trajectories, how they got into the fashion industry, as well as advice for aspiring young models, and what they look for in their models. We also touch on what it's been like opening a boutique modeling agency for Kristina, and advice they would give their younger selves while just starting their careers. Connect with STRAY: https://www.straymgmt.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/straymgmt/ Follow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/ Follow Nomade & Mode: https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/  

Hi everyone! In this episode of The Fashion Ambition, I'm reflecting on what I wish I knew when I first started a fashion blog back in 2016. There are so many things that I've learned since first launching the blog, from building a lean startup model, to writing for SEO, to web design, and digital marketing. If I could go back to 2016 when I was first starting my blog, these are the pieces of advice I would give myself.  In this episode, I get into the differences between running an informational fashion blog vs. being a fashion influencer and how both can be beneficial to your business, depending on your goals.  Thank you so much for tuning in!  **Disclaimer: These are my personal insights, and are not meant to substitute for business advice. Every business model is different, and you should always consider your own goals and situation when making decisions.  To get in touch: Follow The Fashion Ambition on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/   Follow Nomade & Mode on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/   Visit the blog: https://nomadeandmode.net/  

In this episode, I'm reflecting on the process of launching The Fashion Ambition podcast. If you're interested in starting a podcast, whether it be for marketing purposes for an existing brand or as a brand new content channel, this episode is for you! I talk about why I started a podcast helping aspiring fashion entrepreneurs, how I chose the visual branding of the podcast, as well as the framework I had for choosing the guests.  If you'd like to jump ahead and just hear what I learned from starting this podcast, I'm also sharing my 5 biggest takeaways at 13:20.  Follow The Fashion Ambition on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/   Follow Nomade & Mode on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/   Visit the blog: https://nomadeandmode.net/        

Are you an artist or creative who wants to turn their work into a business?   Spoiler alert, there's no secret formula. But if you want to learn what you should focus on as you turn your work into your income, this episode is for you! Joi T. Arcand is the visual artist and designer behind the jewelry line Mad Aunty. Her brand transforms the Cree language into a collection of colourful laser cut & 3D printed cursive & syllabic words in the form of jewelry.  In this episode, we talk about how Joi's work as a multidisciplinary visual artist and designer influenced her jewelry designs, and what she has learned so far as an artist turned business owner.    Shop Mad Aunty  https://mad-aunty.com/   Instagram @mad_aunty_ https://www.instagram.com/mad_aunty_/   Follow The Fashion Ambition Podcast on Instagram: @thefashionambition https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/   Follow the Nomade & Mode blog on Instagram: @nomadeandmode https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/   Nomade & Mode https://nomadeandmode.net/

How can you be more inclusive as a fashion brand?   In this episode, I'm talking with Abbie Ginther and Deena Simair, two teachers turned fashion retail business owners. After pivoting from careers as teachers, they opened Belong Lifestyle, a clothing boutique in Martensville Saskatchewan that promotes body positivity and inclusivity.  Size inclusivity continues to be an issue in the fashion industry, so I was really looking forward to hearing what they've learned on their journeys so far. We talk about what inspired them to open the store, some of the challenges that they've faced as an inclusive retailer, and why they feel inclusivity is so important.   Shop Belong Lifestyle  https://www.thebelonglifestyle.com/   Follow Belong on Instagram @belonglifestyle https://www.instagram.com/belonglifestyle/   Connect with Abbie & Deena @grumblinggrace https://www.instagram.com/grumblinggrace/   @shoestoshiraz https://www.instagram.com/shoestoshiraz/ Follow The Fashion Ambition Podcast on Instagram: @thefashionambition https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/   Follow the Nomade & Mode blog on Instagram: @nomadeandmode https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/   Nomade & Mode https://nomadeandmode.net/

Whether you're a business owner or professional, it's a good idea to have a communications plan to map out what your values and mandates are. And in the event that a crisis does come up, having a PR plan in place isn't a bad idea either. In this episode, I'm chatting with Véronique Loewen, PR and Communications expert, and the founder of Verolingo Communications, an English and French translation, communications, writing, and editing company. Véronique outlines some of the key elements that will guide you in creating your own PR and communications plan, as well as certain frameworks you can think back to whenever you're posting online. Véronique gives great advice on how you can continue to share authentically, while also representing yourself in the best way possible. You can connect with Véronique at https://verolingo.com/ Instagram @veroniqueyxe https://www.instagram.com/veroniqueyxe/ Facebook: Verolingo https://www.facebook.com/Verolingo YouTube: Verolingo Communications https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfWKcI_OBTl4_G36rB--8Ng  

In this episode, I'm chatting with Fifa Tran, who is a web designer, brand strategist, and founder of FeiModern. Fifa specializes in branding and web design for women entrepreneurs, and she's also the co-founder of Boss Babe Imperial, which is a platform that helps women entrepreneurs build community while they build their brands.    Fifa talks about her experience as an entrepreneur, how getting a business coach helped her focus on her areas of genius, common mistakes she sees entrepreneurs make when representing themselves online, and often overlooked elements of a website that can really make a difference in your business (when you get them right!), and so much more.   To connect with Fifa and FeiModern, you can find her website at https://www.feimodern.com/   Follow Fifa on Instagram @feimodern https://www.instagram.com/feimodern/ Follow The Fashion Ambition Podcast on Instagram: @thefashionambition https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/   Follow the Nomade & Mode blog on Instagram: @nomadeandmode https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/   Nomade & Mode https://nomadeandmode.net/

"Who are you already? And then just build on that." -Emily Salsbury-Deveaux In this episode of The Fashion Ambition, I'm chatting with Emily Salsbury-Deveaux, founder of Edmonton-based womenswear brand EMMYDEVEAUX. If you're an aspiring designer, or you hope to have your own brand one day, this inspiring episode is an absolute must! Emily's personal values as a designer are reflected throughout the EMMYDEVEAUX brand, from her products to the brand's business model, to production practices, and prolonging their clothing's lifespan, through innovative programs such as FUNDIT and BUYBACK. Emily also shares her own personal philosophy about building your career around your strengths, and who you inherently are.  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out the brand's newly launched podcast @theemmyeffect    Shop EMMYDEVEAUX https://emmydeveaux.shop/ Follow EMMYDEVEAUX on Instagram @emmydeveaux https://www.instagram.com/EMMYDEVEAUX/ The Emmy Effect Podcast https://www.instagram.com/theemmyeffect/   Follow The Fashion Ambition Podcast on Instagram: @thefashionambition https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/   Follow Nomade & Mode on Instagram @nomadeandmode https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/   Nomade & Mode https://nomadeandmode.net/

So, you want to be a fashion blogger?   Is everyone telling you to find your niche, but you're not even sure of what that is?  In this episode, I'm talking with Mariam Jangda, fashion blogger, and founder of the blog Bauble Stories, about her tips and advice for finding your niche as a blogger, and building a community around your brand.    We cover strategies to help you grow your brand online and offline, and how to balance blogging while working full time.    Make sure to check out Mariam's blog @baublestories and baublestories.com. It's become my go-to place to find up-and-coming Canadian fashion businesses to support! Check out the Canadian Brand Directory on baublestories.com to browse the businesses of hundreds of local makers and designers in the fashion space.     Follow Mariam on Instagram: @baublestories https://www.instagram.com/baublestories/   Bauble Stories Blog https://baublestories.com/   Canadian Brand Directory https://baublestories.com/canadian-brand-directory/   Follow The Fashion Ambition Podcast on Instagram: @thefashionambition https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/   Follow the Nomade & Mode blog on Instagram: @nomadeandmode https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/   Nomade & Mode https://nomadeandmode.net/

Are you starting your business with very few resources? Or maybe you're just trying to get your foot in the door in the industry, but you have no connections, and you're not sure where to start. In this episode, I'm talking with Kendal Netmaker, successful entrepreneur, author, and speaker originally from Sweetgrass First Nation in Saskatchewan. Kendal has an incredibly inspiring story of starting his business from humble beginnings and growing it into the successful multi-channel company and personal brand it is today.  He got his start in entrepreneurship as the founder of Neechie Gear, an apparel company driven to empower youth through sports. He is also the founder of Netmaker Leadership Academy which provides business coaching to entrepreneurs and is the co-founder of IndigiFund a nonprofit that helps support Indigenous youth in sports, education, and culture. Kendal talks about the importance of mindset, why it's so important to have a "million-dollar" story that customers can connect to, and the challenges that he faced and overcame while building his business. To connect with Kendal for business development coaching go to https://kendalnetmaker.com/ Follow Kendal on Instagram: @kendalnetmaker https://www.instagram.com/kendalnetmaker/     Follow The Fashion Ambition Podcast on Instagram: @thefashionambition https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/ Follow the Nomade & Mode blog on Instagram: @nomadeandmode https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/ Nomade & Mode https://nomadeandmode.net/

Does marketing your business feel overwhelming? Do you have no idea where to start? In this episode, I'm interviewing Sara Wheelwright, the founder of Trusted Marketing Services Saskatchewan, and Trusted Online Directories Canada, about what businesses and professionals should be doing to be marketing themselves during the pandemic, and in general.  Sara shares her story of going from being let go from her job to launching her online directory business only two months later, with over 50 clients. She also breaks down easy-to-follow marketing tips that optimize the skills you already have, mistakes she sees businesses making when marketing themselves, and best practices for new graduates when it comes to representing themselves as they step into the job market. To connect with Sara and Trusted Marketing Services, go to https://trustedmarketingservices.com/ Follow The Fashion Ambition Podcast on Instagram: @thefashionambition https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/ Follow the Nomade & Mode blog on Instagram: @nomadeandmode https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/ Nomade & Mode https://nomadeandmode.net/  

In this first mini-episode, I'm talking about the behind-the-scenes of launching this capstone project as part of my degree in Fashion Communication, my experience blogging, and why I decided to start a podcast helping aspiring fashion entrepreneurs & professionals launch.  Grab a coffee and a notebook, and mark your calendars for every Monday & Thursday when new episodes come out! Follow The Fashion Ambition Podcast on Instagram:  @thefashionambition https://www.instagram.com/thefashionambition/ Follow the Nomade & Mode blog on Instagram: @nomadeandmode https://www.instagram.com/nomadeandmode/ Nomade & Mode  https://nomadeandmode.net/