Define your customer  - A strong foundation is key to a successful business

Taking some time out at the very beginning of your business journey will create a plan towards success. We have a tried and tested process that has been followed many times and is such proven to be a valuable start to any business

• Start your journey with our 1 on 1 Business Planning Session to flesh out your brand ideas into a reality.
• Establish Your Business Goals so we can help you achieve them
• Finding your Niche and how to explain it so everyone is on the same page Find your Customer and Validate your ideas so you can Build your Database ready for Launch
• Understand what you need to Plan for an Ethical and Sustainable Label 

Prepare for Your Design Meeting – It Is Time To Bring Your Designs to Life

There is no need to search around to find a pattern maker and sample maker. We will work with you to create your patterns and samples in our one stop shop to take the stress away and bring your idea to life.

• We will show you how to take your rough ideas and create a document to communicate with a pattern maker, even if you say you can’t draw.

• There is no need to outsource to a designer, we will transform your sketches into designs that are used by the industry

• We will discuss with you how to Plan your full range and what to think about to create your brand

• You will have access to our garment library so we can visually communicate your ideas in a way that is sometimes too hard to draw.

• We pride ourselves on getting your design right in 2 samples. No need to waste time and energy running around.

How Much Will It All Cost – It Is Important To Understand What Your Outlay Is As Early as Possible

You will be given an accurate cost breakdown before we even start pattern making and an understanding of how we can help you stagger those costs along the development and manufacturing process.

• A Sales strategy is important to understand what the growth of your business will be over year 1, 2, 5 & 10. Learn what you can do to stagger your costs and build a sustainable business
• A clear understanding of what your retail price point should be as your business grows and business model changes is important for business planning. We can work out what the best Sales strategy Strategy is for you to plan and grow your business
• We can discuss the many different business models to find which one is right for you and your budget with our Fashion Label Launchpad exclave Budget Tool
• Use the timelines we create for you to know what to buy and when to you should be buying fabrics, trims, labels, etc.
• Learn about the avenues for funding

Fabric & Trim Sourcing – Learn About Fabric To Make It Easier for You

Even if you know what you want, you will now need to find it in the local market. For this you need to understand the names of each of the components of your garment or accessory

• Talk like a pro with the right language to get the fabric and trims you need.
• Learn about the 4 key pillars to identify any fabric to find what you are looking for
• Connect with the right supplier for your products, fabrics and trims with our verified database of over 100 suppliers who are ready to help you as a Fashion Label Launchpad member
• Looking for a unique print? We work with specialists with the latest technologies and capabilities to get your surface print design right for you.
• Perhaps it is something else you need? Again our in depth knowledge extends across Embroidery,/ Heat Transfers/ and Placement Prints

Brand Identity and Marketing – Finding and Speaking to the Right Customer Is Essential to the Sale

Learn how to defined your brand identity so your product and your brand communicate the right message to the right people

• Understand the key principles of Working out your Brand Identity
• How to get the right result from your Graphic Designer
• Establish your brand voice and messaging
• Learn the Social media fundamentals to create a social media plan and learn how to establish your social media presence.
• Plan your website with our step-by-step guide to everything ensure you have everything you need so you are ready at launch

In House Development and Production – We Are There With You Doing the Development and Production

What this means is that you don’t have to worry about not knowing what you are doing. We answer know and understand where you are at right now and will give you the information and support you need to launch your brand with the right products

• We will support you as your own design and production manager. Let us solve the problems and catch the mistakes before they happen so you don’t need to worry
• You will receive accurate quotes for development so you know what it will cost before we even started making a pattern
• We will discuss the production price up front before we start making a pattern to see how this affects your retail price point and profit to see which of the lever of fabric, design, quantity or details we can change before you have spent any money on pattern making or sample making
• You can search our in-house resource library of patterns and stitch samples to make it easier to communicate the details of your design.
• You can enjoy the process knowing we are there to guide you along the process.

Getting It Made – We Move Onto Our In-House Production Process

Production Preparation includes looking at the numbers, ordering fabrics and preparing documentation for  manufacturing. Signing off your Preproduction samples, looking at colour ways and planning your range releases.

• Learn how to contact suppliers so that they answer your emails
• Get the real facts about manufacturing onshore vs offshore including the complete story on costs
• What is Quality Control? Learn how to do this valuable process or how to outsource it and have the confidence that your products are what you expect
• Get an in in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing process so you can be prepared at every step and avoid wasting money through the process
• How to ensure you know what is involved in your development process so you can get everything ready at the right time to reach your launch date
• We offer in house manufacturing of MOQ 20 (over 4 sizes) to mentees in the FLL- let us create the product for you and keep an eye on it every step of the way

Building Your Business – As Your Business Grows, You May Look To Expand Your Team or Sell Your Business

This requires organization and planning so you can pass on the tasks and focus on what you need to be doing. We will show you how to organize and your resources so you run a professional show that is good enough to sell and profit from all your hard work an attractive proposition for someone to take over with minimum effort to hand over.

• Stay on top of the development process through Organizing your resources so you know what is where to get the most out of what you have invested in

• Learn how to build the dream team and what they will need to succeed

• Understand time- lines and critical paths so you know how to stay on track through the development and manufacturing process

• Learn how to protect your business and your ideas

• What legal and accounting assistance you require for your business

• Understand what insurance and business registration can means for you

Launching Your Label – What You Need To Know To Prepare for Your Launch Day

You have done all the hard work on your development and manufacturing. Our small run manufacturing allows you to test the market, but it is important to make a great first impression to win the sale.

• Learn what is involved in planning for a successful launch day
• A step-by-step guide on how to create an amazing photoshoot
• What your website needs so that you can maximize opportunity to sell
• How to plan for a rerun of your best-selling products to make the most of your hard work
• We want to be there with you, helping you over the hurdles to get you to your launch day. How to create a pre-launch strategy to build your list  and get customers when you need them

Bonus Library – Webinars From Experts in Their Field Interviewed so You Can Learn and Their Contact Details

In addition to all this information above, we have a library of content from past mentees and industry experts to help you with industry expert information.

• Learn how to obtain Ethical Accreditation from Ethical Clothing Australia
• Hear from a lawyer about how to secure you’re the IP on your products
• Get the step-by-step guide on how to grow your audience on social media from a social media expert
• Learn about what a retailer needs from you if you wish to wholesale to an online store
• Learn from an expert about how to ensure your website is set up for conversion
• Find out about Digital Fabric printing from a Digital Fabric Printing expert
• And hear from past mentees on how they launched and grew their business from starting out just like you.

In addition to that $30,000+ in Value you also get

100% Risk-Free

Money Back Guarantee!

Try the Fashion Label Launchpad Program for 2 Weeks and if it's not right for you let me know before the end of the 2 weeks and we'll give you a full refund, no questions asked.

Fare use policy applies

Hi I'm Julia

I’m so excited that you’re taking the time to discover the amazing value on offer in our highly-personalised mentoring program. I’m Julia Van Der Sommen, director and head pattern maker at Sample Room, Australia's Most Experienced and Leading Development House.

For well over 28 years, I’ve been working with and helping to grow successful businesses in the industry.

My obsession with fashion and clothing started at the very tender age of 8 when I asked my mum if she would take me shopping to buy my first ever pattern. After spending my hard-earned pocket money, I took that pattern home, and with mum’s help on the sewing machine, I made my first garment – a small but significant step that set me on a satisfying career path.

After leaving high school in Adelaide I completed a fashion design course, taking this knowledge with me while travelling overseas, before coming back to Melbourne. During this exciting adventure I raked up endless hours as a designer, pattern maker, managing businesses, but also as a machinist, cutter, sales person and off-shore specification coordinator, learning the ropes and sometimes making mistakes the hard way.

It was a slow process, but it provided me with a massive amount of knowledge. The insider knowledge, the tricks of the trade – I have learnt these through much trial and error. It's an industry where few people  like to share those tricks.

This insider knowledge was like gold – giving me the boost to take the plunge and establish my own successful business creating garments and accessories for others. Sample Room is the culmination of many years of industry experience and the absolute love I have for the industry and I want to share this information with you.

Andrea's Story