The 4 Things That Instantly Prove You're an Amateur to Factories

Getting a response from the manufacturer you want to work with can feel like a challenge, especially when you're building an apparel brand and still learning how the industry works. But sometimes, the way you approach a factory can be the very thing keeping you from getting a response. In this episode, I'm breaking down four things that can make you look like a beginner to manufacturers and suppliers, and what you should understand before you reach out. I'm sharing the questions you should be asking, the information you need to have prepared, and the tools that can help you build credibility and create stronger manufacturing partnerships. 📝 Today We're Covering: Why asking a manufacturer for their "best price" can be a major red flag What MOQ means and why it's so important to your budget and cash flow Why understanding lead times and a factory's production calendar is essential Why having a professional tech pack can completely change your conversations with manufacturers What information should be included in a tech pack, including garment measurements, construction details, and a bill of materials How asking the right questions can help you build stronger relationships with manufacturing partners The more you understand about how apparel production actually works, the more confidently you can approach the manufacturers and suppliers you want to work with. I hope this episode helps you feel more prepared, professional, and equipped to have better conversations as you build your apparel brand. ➡️ Your Next Steps: Learn about our product development services: http://unmarkedstreet.com/contact Say Good-Bye to $20,000 Apparel Brand Mistakes here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/goodbye Pre-order my book, The Business of Apparel, here! Pre-order the e-book version here! ‼️ Don't Miss These Episodes: Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao  🤝 Meet Rachel: Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industry Consultant, and founder of Unmarked Street and The Business of Apparel. With 20+ years in technical design and product development leadership, she sat at the executive table of a $25M apparel line and helped scale it to $60M in one year. After decades working inside major fashion companies, she learned the truth behind billion-dollar brands, and it's not about chasing trends or pumping out endless products. It's about building clean processes, tightly edited assortments, and obsessively focused customer targeting. Rachel helps founders and CEOs of performance apparel brands: ✅ Build lean, profitable product lines ✅ Streamline operations for growth ✅ Replace overwhelm with executive clarity ✅ Create garments that fit bodies in motion Whether you're just hitting $1M in revenue or trying to break through the $10M ceiling, Rachel will join you as an embedded operations and product partner—running fittings, line plans, tech packs, and vendor communications so you can get back to leading. Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-erickson-pmp/ and visit her website at www.unmarkedstreet.com.