Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Can y'all already believe it's been 5 years since I got fired?! That moment is what pivoted my journey in fashion into the brand you know today - so I'm using that as the catalyst for the 2025 version on how to get your start in fashion!

✨ Mentioned in This Episode:

• 🇨🇳 How China’s tariffs and luxury factory tea are shaking up the entire fashion game (and what that means for small brands and consumers)

• 💰 Why it’s time to lock your spending down, find your community, and prepare for the financial storms ahead

• 👜 The real deal behind buying dupes and sourcing overseas — and why it ain’t as easy (or drama-free) as TikTok makes it seem

• 🎭 The behind-the-scenes of the Met Gala, why most people ain’t invited, and why Wisdom Kaye deserves a damn seat at the table

• 🛣️ My 4 non-negotiables for starting your career in fashion in 2025:

  • Research your market BEFORE you move

  • Build a strong personal brand — yes, even for corporate life

  • Get serious about networking online and in-person

  • Give yourself grace, space, and TIME — real growth ain’t overnight

Shoutouts + Special Mentions:

• Carlos and Milwaukee Fashion Week 🔥

• Black Fashion STL and my student Kendal 💖

• Shelby Ivey Christie — fashion historian GOAT, go follow her

🔗 Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to my YouTube! 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/@akbrownstl

• Milwaukee Fashion Week Details: https://www.mkefw.com/

• Grab The Intro Into Fashion Workbook: https://www.akbrownstl.com/product/intro-into-fashion-pr-workbook/

• Wanna be a guest on the show? Apply here: https://www.akbrownstl.com/be-a-gusest/

• Want to be a 2025 client or mentee? Apply here: https://www.akbrownstl.com/2025-client-applications/

• Follow me everywhere: @akbrownstl

• Website: www.akbrownstl.com

• Read Advisor. Magazine: www.advisormag.co

💬 Love the episode? Leave a review and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway!

Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Today we’re diving deep into financial literacy for fashionpreneurs—a topic we often avoid but need to master. In this episode, I break down the financial struggles of running a fashion business, share my own experiences from starting out as a blogger to building multiple brands, and discuss the biggest financial mistakes fashion entrepreneurs make.

PLUS, I have a special guest—Michael Rangel, Founder & CEO of Novo.Co, which is my business bank platform of choice. We discuss how fintech is changing the game for small business owners and how you can take control of your business finances.

💻 Novo Platform – My go-to for small business banking. Sign up here: https://onboarding.novo.co/signup?referral_code=AlexandriaBrown1&first_name=Alexandria
🛍 Jance Chartae – E-commerce & boutique expert. Follow her for fashion biz tips!
💡 ChatGPT & AI – How I use AI to optimize business strategy

📌 Audit your finances: Are you separating personal & business expenses?
📌 Research business banking options: If you don’t have a business bank, start with Novo
📌 Check your pricing strategy: Are you actually making a profit?
📌 Plan for the future: Look at your cash flow, taxes, and funding option

📲 Follow me on Instagram: @akbrownstl
🌐 Website: www.akbrownstl.com
📖 Read Advisor. Magazine: www.advisormag.co

💬 Love the episode? Leave a review and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway!

*Novo is a fintech company; not a bank. Deposit account services provided by Middlesex Federal Savings, F.A., Member FDIC. Physical debit cards issued by Middlesex Federal Savings or Patriot Bank, N.A., Member FDIC; virtual cards issued by Patriot Bank, pursuant to licenses from Mastercard® International Incorporated. Mastercard can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.