Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Blending Cultures while Building a Brand: The Mixed Up Clothing Story with Founder Sonia Smith-Kang
Description
In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta interviews Sonia Smith-Kang, founder of Mixed Up Clothing, a children's brand that blends culture through fashion. Sonia shares her journey from being a registered nurse to launching her clothing line, driven by a desire to celebrate diversity and representation. She discusses the challenges of starting a business without a fashion background, her experiences in retail, and the importance of community and culture in her work.
In this conversation, she discusses her journey in the retail industry, focusing on strategic partnerships, navigating consignment sales, and the importance of re-engaging with major retailers. She shares insights on preparing for retail success, the reality of launching products, and the challenges of marketing and visibility. Sonia emphasizes the need for funding and resource allocation, networking to accelerate sales, and expanding product lines through collaborations. She also highlights the importance of building a team for growth and the challenges faced during her retail journey, particularly during the pandemic. Finally, Sonia outlines her future goals and aspirations for her brand, Mixed Up Clothing.
Links Mentioned:
Mixed Up Clothing Website: https://mixedupclothing.com/
Mixed Up Clothing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mixedupclothing
Event Partner: Nourish Summit & Expo (Oct. 5-7, 2027 | Baltimore) - Use code SHELFTALKS10 for 10% off full registration https://bit.ly/4sx0Zba
How to Follow Shelf Talks Podcast on social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelftalkspodcast/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shelf-talks-podcast
Love what you hear on Shelf Talks? You can now support the podcast. Every contribution helps bring more indie voices to the mic. Thank you for being part of this journey! ✨
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2411532/support
Contact us via email: Hello@shelftalks.com
Reach out if you know of a female founder with an impactful brand and retail story and leave a review if you found value in this episode! Hello@shelftalks.com
Purchase the book Shelf Talk: A step by step guide to launching your product in Retail Stores by Roberta Townes Buy Book