Visionaries

What makes a brand feel authentic?

In our digital era, we’re constantly being bombarded with distractions, things we should be doing, ways we should be thinking, behaviors we should be adopting…so much so that such overload often leaves us craving authenticity and honesty even in the most mundane aspects of life.

All of this to say that finding a good quality product isn’t always enough. People look for genuine brands they feel comfortable consuming and being associated with. Brands they can relate to and that offer transparent experiences.

In today’s episode, Neri goes over a few questions from the audience. Learning to build an authentic brand being the most common one, she starts out by sharing a glimpse of a useful exercise she performs with her clients when it comes to identifying your authenticity.

Creating a compelling story is also part of this mix!

So, throughout the episode, you will hear Neri talk about how you can tell your brand story by using the power of storytelling as well as the steps to crafting your brand story.

This episode is loaded with practical information as Neri also covers the importance of stopping the comparison game and remaining grounded within ourselves, why letting go of external expectations is key to creating an authentic, unforgettable brand and more.

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 13 where Neri talks about Practical Tips For Building a Successful Fashion Business, then go back and check it out!

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Through her fashion business consultancy firm, Neri helps emerging and established designers find partners in the supply chain and manufacturing areas. Feel free to reach out for more details at modametiers.com/strategicbusinessconsultancy.
-Neri is a published author! Read her book, Fashion Entrepreneurship: The Creation of the Global Fashion Business here!

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

Building a successful business has plenty of moving parts. From finding the right suppliers to knowing the best advertising practices, to knowing when to raise capital…the list goes on.

Regardless of your situation, education, or even mastery in the business of fashion, we’re sure today’s episode will shed some light on some of the most common mistakes and concerns when establishing your brand.

“Instinct and data, theory and practice go hand in hand when it comes to creating a successful brand”. - Neri Sillaman

In this solo episode, Neri gives advice based on theory and practice. She also answers some very interesting questions from the audience, while sharing her own experience building not only a successful but sustainable and creative brand.

Listen until the end and learn how to scale your business as well as the importance of partnering up with the right people, when to raise money, how to align your values with those of your investor, and more.

Don't forget to tune in next week as Neri will delve deeper into how you can find your authenticity and create a unique brand language.

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 13 where Neri interviews Alexis Arragon and Florent Sroka on fashion, NFT, and the Metaverse, then go back and check it out!

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Through her fashion business consultancy firm, Neri helps emerging and established designers find partners in the supply chain and manufacturing areas. Feel free to reach out for more details at modametiers.com/strategicbusinessconsultancy.
-Neri is a published author! Read her book, Fashion Entrepreneurship: The Creation of the Global Fashion Business here!

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

Do you remember those science fiction movies or novels where the virtual space was presented as a way to escape our physical reality?
With the arrival of the metaverse, we can dare to say real technology has surpassed those days!
In fact, nowadays more brands and businesses are looking to get into this space, and the fashion industry isn't the exception.

While there are still many questions surrounding this new trend, it is clear this fast-growing environment is developing new opportunities, ways of thinking, and undoubtedly shaping the newer generations.

Unless you're part of Gen Z, it is likely this new virtual reality is a bit hard to grasp. But don't worry! We promise you it'll be much easier to understand after you listen to this conversation.

Help Neri welcome Alexis Arragon and Florent Sroka to the show.
Alexis is the managing director of Skinvaders, a next-generation platform for in-game branded skins and digital clothing.
Florent is the co-founder of In Rift, an end-to-end solution for brands to enhance digital presence.

In today's episode, Neri and her guests cover a lot of ground.
They start out by talking about their journeys and what spurred them to work on the digital space. They also explain, in a very digestible way, the concepts of metaverse and NFTs to then delve into how the fashion world is navigating them and what they believe is going to happen in the coming years.

This is a very interesting topic and the conversation is beyond educating! Listen until the end and let Neri know your thoughts via Instagram @modametiers.

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 12 where Neri interviews Andy Torres, founder of StyleScrapbook, then go back and check it out!

Also, don't forget to check out our 3 in 3 episodes released every week after our interviews where Neri shares her knowledge and expertise!

In this episode, we cover:
-What Skinvaders is all about.
-The definition of NFT and metaverse.
-The relationship between digital fashion and NTF's.
-The rise of the metaverse in the coming years.
-How the new generations interact with the metaverse.
-How brands can work with Skinvaders and In Rift.
-How fashion brands can make money from an NFT.

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Visit Alexis's website at skinvaders.io and Florent's at inrift.com.
-You may also follow them on Instagram @skinvaders.io and Twitter @InRift_NFT.
-Neri is a published author! Read her book, Fashion Entrepreneurship: The Creation of the Global Fashion Business here!

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

How far can your dreams take you?

Truth be told, dreaming without the act of doing doesn't work as one would expect. However, mixing the two can definitely make the difference between achieving your dreams and being left on the bench.

Our guest today, Andy Torres is what people would call a go-getter. The precise embodiment of perseverance and resilience.
Andy is the founder of StyleScrapbook - a curated fashion blog focused on presenting fashion in a relatable, inspiring, and affordable way.
Her resume includes working as a host for Cosmopolitan TV and E! Entertainment Television series “ELLE Mexico Diseña”. She has also collaborated with several brands including Dior, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Levi’s, Nike, Reebok, to name a few.

But 14 years ago the landscape was completely different. Andy started her blog out of finding herself unemployed, with big aspirations yet with very few people that believed in her potential.
Despite the roadblocks, she managed to keep her lively spirit alive and become one of the most successful fashion bloggers worldwide.

“I am so much more than just a content creation machine”. - Andy Torres

In today’s episode, Andy tells it all! From where she grew up and what motivated her to work in fashion, to the dark moments she has been through in the industry.
This is a very authentic conversation where Neri and Andy speak some oftentimes untold truths about what it means to be a fashion entrepreneur and influencer. They also delve into Andy’s take on the future of fashion, social media, and what it means to be an influencer.

If you’re looking for a purposeful approach to fashion, tips on building a loyal audience, and inspirational advice, this episode is for you!

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 11 where Neri interviews Matthew Herman, founder of gender-neutral brand Boy Smells, then go back and check it out!

Also, don't forget to check out our 3 in 3 episodes released every week after our interviews where Neri shares her knowledge and expertise!

In this episode, we cover:
-How Style Scrapbook started.
-Where Andy’s passion for styling and fashion came from.
-Challenges, rejections, and roadblocks Andy faced in the early days.
-The influence of blogging in the fashion industry.
-Advice to business owners who want to grow an audience.
-How Andy helps brands and what working with them looks like.

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Check out Andy’s website at www.stylescrapbook.com and connect with her via Instagram @stylescrapbook.
-Neri is a published author! Read her book, Fashion Entrepreneurship: The Creation of the Global Fashion Business here!

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit www.modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

When we’re young we’re taught the distinction between what is made for boys and what for girls. So much so that when we grow up we commonly associate pink with femininity and blue with masculinity.

But what if we told you not everyone feels represented with these interpretations?

Today we welcome Matthew Herman, the co-founder of Boy Smells - a brand that isn’t intended for one gender but that rather embraces the masculine and feminine flow, and everything in between.

Graduated from Central Saint Martins art school in London, UK, Matthew has worked with multiple fashion brands in both Europe and the U.S. including Zac Posen and fast fashion company, Nasty Gal.

Today’s conversation is affable and inspiring, to say the least. Matthew has undoubtedly managed to build a successful business while celebrating identity beyond limited constructs. Not only does he see beauty through a very innovative and inclusive lens, but he knows the importance of living by what the brand stands for as a factor of its success.

Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear our guest talk about his previous experience in the fashion industry, fun anecdotes about the company’s early days, the DNA process of the brand, what a typical day looks like for him as a beauty business owner, and much more.

This enriching episode is filled with great tips and perspectives for those in the journey of beauty and fashion entrepreneurship. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 10 where Neri and beauty entrepreneur Noelly Michoux chat about beauty, diversity, and innovation, then go back and check it out!

Also, don't forget to check out our 3 in 3 episodes released every week after our interviews where Neri shares her knowledge and expertise!

In this episode, we cover:
-How the idea of Boy Smells came to be.
-What the term Genderful means.
-How Matthew and his partner overcame challenges early on.
-Escalating and building a team.
-What the comfort economy is.
-Living and breathing your brand as the foundation of your business.
-Similarities and differences between beauty and fashion.

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Check out Boy Smells at www.boysmells.com and follow them on Instagram @boy__smells.
-Book: #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso.

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

Some people believe that everything that can be invented has been invented already. While this is partly true, there is another entwined factor that comes into the invention scene: innovation.

Today’s episode is filled with inspiration, innovation, and relentlessness.

Our guest, Noelly Michoux is the CEO and founder of 4.5.6 Skin - a custom skincare brand for melanin-rich skin. Her story is one to learn from and her success to look up to.

Noelly is an immigrant originally from Cameroon who broke stereotypes by becoming a successful entrepreneur in the beauty industry.
Her early years of struggling to find a suitable product for her skin type led her to identify a gap in the market which later on translated into an innovative skincare product line now sold all over the world.

During this sparkling conversation, Noelly covers everything from what spurred her interest in the beauty industry to the roadblocks she overcame to launch her brand, to some interesting facts about skin types and products.
Our guest knows best how skin health can impact one’s confidence and has become an expert at embracing diversity by creating personalized skincare backed by research and science.

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 9 where Neri and make-up artist Tania Grier talk about make-up, career growth, and sustainability in the beauty industry, then go back and check it out!

Also, don't forget to check out our 3 in 3 episodes released every week after our interviews where Neri shares her knowledge and expertise!

In this episode, we cover:
-What empowered Noelly to start her skincare brand.
-Initial steps in her entrepreneurship journey.
-The process of creating authentic, signature formulas for her business.
-How she came up with the name 4.5.6.
-Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the beauty industry.
-How she jiggles motherhood, being a wife, and an entrepreneur.

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Connect with Noelly on Instagram @noellychouxx.
-Check out 456 Skin at www.456skin.com and follow them on Instagram @456skin.

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

Confucious once said, “choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”...

Today on the show, we welcome celebrity makeup artist, Tania Grier.

Incredibly talented Tania is the former UK Make-Up Artist Ambassador for Sisley-Paris. She has worked with top fashion magazines, from Vogue to Harpers Bazaar as well as famous faces such as Emma Thompson, Poppy Delevigne, Jemima Khan, Sabine Getty, Suki Waterhouse, Laura Bailey, Charlotte Dellal, to name a few.

Neri and Tania have been friends for a long time and during this fun and spontaneous conversation, they cover a lot of ground!

Grier opens up about her beginnings when she set out to be an actress and worked in New York City. However, it was shortly after that the universe revealed a different plan for her, therefore conceiving a new and unexpected career path.

Tania broke into the beauty industry in one of the most organic ways possible and until this day, she makes sure she keeps it that way.

Besides her phenomenal skills as a makeup artist, Tania shines at the art of letting things flow, enjoying what she does, and never forcing anything. She highlights the importance of staying true to yourself regardless of how big the people you work with, turning up early, and staying focused at all times in order to succeed in the industry.

Want to hear some of the artist's best beauty tips and all about her favorite makeup product? Our host and guest talk about that too!

We’re very excited about this conversation and we hope you enjoy it just as much as we did!

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 8 where Neri and Louise Xin chat about the world's first rental-only, non-sale Haute Couture brand, then go back and check it out!

Also, don't forget to check out our 3 in 3 episodes released every week after our interviews where Neri shares her knowledge and expertise!

In this episode, we cover:
-The journey that led Tania to become a makeup artist.
-Finding your professional tribe and aligning with your values.
-Challenges Tania faced at the beginning of her career.
-The importance of evolving as an artist.
-Sustainability and diversity in the fashion and beauty industry.
-Tania’s advice for those looking to start a beauty brand.

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Connect with Tania on Instagram @taniagrier

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

Just like in the fashion industry, beauty entrepreneurs face very similar challenges when starting their businesses. Whether it is finding the right suppliers, meeting the demand, or coming up with the most adequate package for their products, the foundation remains the same.

During the month of November, Neri will focus on the beauty industry. In today's episode, she shares some rich tips on how to start a successful beauty business. She talks about the importance of leading with conviction, knowing when it's time to pivot, standing out from other brands, and more.

If you're looking to get started in the beauty industry or maybe you're already working on building your beauty brand, this episode is for you!

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 8 where Neri and Louise Xin chat about the first rental-only, non-sale Haute Couture brand in the world, then go back and check it out!

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

Finding the right name for your fashion brand may take a great deal of thought and research. Besides ensuring the name isn't taken, it's important to look inwards and confirm with ourselves that we are making the right choice.

Do you think this is easier said than done?

In today's episode Neri covers the 5 step process to name your fashion brand.
She starts by sharing the story of how Neri Karra was born to continue by delving into the pros and cons of using your personal name when naming your brand or using something other than your name, how to validate it, the importance of trademarks, and more!

If you'd like to learn more about the process of coming up with a name for your fashion brand, be sure to read Neris' article, What’s in a Name? How to Name Your Fashion Brand.

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 8 where Neri and Louise Xin chat about the first rental-only, non-sale Haute Couture brand in the world, then go back and check it out!

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Read the article: What’s in a Name? How to Name Your Fashion Brand.

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.

One of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to the fashion industry is “how can I make money as a fashion designer?”

There are a good amount of determining factors to consider when trying to make money with your brand. Some to be implemented from the very beginning and others to be put into action as your business grows.

In today’s episode, Neri lays out the foundation for a smoother entrepreneurship experience and talks about how fashion entrepreneurs can start making money in this challenging, ever-changing industry.
She delves into the type of campaigns you should launch with, why you should be open to taking calculated risks, what it means to start small, and more!

We hope this episode helps pave the way for your development in the fashion industry. If you want to know more about Neri’s best tips to make money as a fashion entrepreneur, check out her article, How To Make Money as a Fashion Designer.

Thank you for tuning in! If you haven't listened to episode 8 where Neri and Louise Xin chat about the first rental-only, non-sale Haute Couture brand in the world, then go back and check it out!

Resources and links mentioned during this episode:
-Read the article: How To Make Money as a Fashion Designer.

Connect with Neri:
-Follow Neri on Instagram @nerikarraworld and @modametiers.
-Visit modametiers.com and check out our services, resources, and previous work.
-Enjoying what you hear? Follow and leave a review HERE.