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Fashion Business Mindset

Fashion Business Mindset

By: Elizabeth Formosa
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Fashion Business Mindset is your FROW seat to 'real' stories from Designers, Brands, Entrepreneurs, Makers & Mentors. Our mission? To increase the success rate in the Fashion Industry by creating a dynamic fashion business eco-system. Fashion Business Mindset provides industry insights and insider access to The Future of Fashion. Hosted & created by Elizabeth Formosa, the Founder of Fashion Equipped.

https://fashionequipped.com.au/

2026 Elizabeth Formosa Art Economics Education Leadership Management Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Wear Nature, Not Plastic: 20 Years of Building Kowtow | Gosia Piątek

    Wear Nature, Not Plastic: 20 Years of Building Kowtow | Gosia Piątek
    Mar 31 2026
    In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa sits down with Gosia Piątek, Founder of Kowtow, a pioneer in sustainable and circular fashion. Founded in 2006, Kowtow has built a global reputation for its commitment to ethical production, Fairtrade organic cotton, and a fully transparent supply chain. But what truly sets the brand apart is its long-term vision. From the very beginning, Gosia set out to create clothing that comes from the earth and can safely return to it. Nearly 20 years later, that vision has been realised. Kowtow has developed a groundbreaking process using biochar, allowing garments to be returned to the soil without harm and completely free from plastic. In this conversation, we explore: The original vision behind Kowtow and what inspired Gosia to challenge the fashion industry Building a sustainable brand before sustainability was mainstream The reality of creating a fully transparent and ethical supply chain Kowtow’s biochar innovation and what it means for the future of circular fashion Customer demand for sustainability and how it has evolved The current state of fashion trade and navigating economic uncertainty Balancing purpose and profitability in a values-driven business Marketing and storytelling for a conscious brand Leadership, mindset and founder growth What the future holds for fashion and the opportunity for brands willing to lead change This episode is a must-listen for founders, designers and industry leaders looking to build commercially strong, responsible and future-focused fashion businesses. About the Guest: Gosia Piątek is the Founder of Kowtow, a globally recognised sustainable fashion brand known for its commitment to Fairtrade organic cotton, ethical production and circular design principles. Explore Kowtow at: Web: Kowtow Ethical & Organic Clothingl Download the Kowtow plastic-free guide here: Plastic Free Handbook Read about biochar here: Our garments now feed the earth How Kowtow went plastic-free here: Plastic Free _________ About Fashion Business Mindset Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses. ________ Work with Fashion Equipped in 2026 Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution. Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction. This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last. Interested in Strategic Advisory? The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth.Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business. Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here. The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting Connect with us: Instagram: @‌fashionequipped Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindsetFacebook: www.facebook.com/fashionequippedWebsite: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped Interested in Sponsorship? We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion. To learn more, reach out via email at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.auor DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • The Resilience of Independent Fashion Retail | Adella Greenwood | Grace & Willow

    The Resilience of Independent Fashion Retail | Adella Greenwood | Grace & Willow
    Mar 18 2026
    What It Takes to Run a Resilient Fashion Boutique Running an independent fashion boutique today demands resilience, commercial discipline, deep customer connection and the ability to adapt as the retail landscape continues to evolve. In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, I’m joined by Adella Greenwood, co-founder of Grace & Willow, a much-loved multi-brand boutique located in the seaside suburb of Williamstown in Victoria. With more than two decades in fashion and retail, Adella has built a thriving boutique known for its strong sense of community and its carefully curated mix of Australian and international designers. Together with her sister Hannah, she has created a space where confident, expressive women can discover pieces that reflect their personal style. In our conversation, Adella shares the journey of building an independent retail business over more than a decade, and the realities of operating on the front line of fashion retail. We explore how she approaches brand selection and buying, how independent boutiques navigate competition from larger retailers and online platforms, and why customer relationships and community remain at the heart of Grace & Willow’s success. Adella also shares her perspective on the current retail climate, how customer behaviour has shifted in recent years, and where she sees both risk and opportunity for independent retailers moving forward. This is a thoughtful and honest conversation about what it truly takes to build and sustain an independent fashion business today. In this episode, we discuss: How Grace & Willow began and the vision behind the boutique The evolution of Adella’s buying strategy and brand mix Navigating competition from larger retailers and online platforms The importance of community and customer relationships in boutique retail Leading a small retail team and building a strong culture Shifts in customer behaviour and the current retail climate What discipline and resilience look like in independent retail today Explore Grace & Willow at: https://www.graceandwillow.com.au/ https://www.instagram.com/graceandwillow/?hl=en _________ About Fashion Business Mindset Fashion Business Mindset explores the real stories behind fashion brands, retailers and industry leaders. Hosted by fashion business strategist Elizabeth Formosa, the podcast shares practical insights on leadership, strategy and building resilient fashion businesses. ________ Work with Fashion Equipped in 2026 Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution. Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction. This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last. Interested in Strategic Advisory? The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth.Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business. Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here. The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting Connect with us: Instagram: @‌fashionequipped Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindsetFacebook: www.facebook.com/fashionequippedWebsite: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped Interested in Sponsorship? We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion. To learn more, reach out via email at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.auor DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    54 mins
  • The Pathway to Profitability in 2026

    The Pathway to Profitability in 2026
    Feb 24 2026

    In this opening episode of Season 7, Elizabeth Formosa unpacks what profitability really requires in 2026 — and why net cash in the bank matters just as much as the P&L.

    Across the industry, many brands are growing. Revenue is up. Orders are flowing. From the outside, things look strong. But internally, margins are tighter, cash flow feels heavier, and decision-making has become more complex.

    This episode explores the shift required for founders who want sustainable, commercially sound growth.

    Elizabeth shares the five core pillars she sees separating reactive businesses from intentional ones:

    • Clarity before growth

    • Intentional product and inventory decisions

    • Channel discipline

    • Structure that matches the stage of the business

    • Reducing founder and leadership decision load

    You’ll also hear why:

    – Profit is an accounting outcome
    – Cash is operational reality
    – And disciplined decision-making is the true driver of both

    This is not a tactical episode about quick wins.
    It’s a strategic conversation about building resilient fashion businesses that can grow, reinvest and stabilise with confidence.

    If 2026 feels like a year where your next decision truly matters, this episode is for you.

    _____

    Work with Fashion Equipped in 2026

    Ready to scale with clarity, confidence and intention?

    Fashion Equipped partners with established fashion businesses at pivotal stages of growth and evolution.

    Elizabeth Formosa provides senior-level strategic advisory across strategy, structure, profitability and decision-making — helping founders and leadership teams navigate increasing complexity with commercially grounded perspective and clear direction.

    This is experienced, considered guidance for building resilient, high-performing fashion businesses that are designed to last.

    Interested in Strategic Advisory?

    The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap is my signature strategic advisory engagement for founders and leadership teams at pivotal stages of growth.
    Together, we bring structure, financial clarity and a dynamic 12-month growth plan into the business.

    Book a Clarity Call with Elizabeth here.

    The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting

    Connect with us:

    Instagram: @‌fashionequipped
    Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/fashionequipped
    Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped

    Interested in Sponsorship?

    We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers and industry partners who want to support commercially grounded conversations shaping the future of fashion.

    To learn more, reach out via email at elizabeth@fashionequipped.com.au
    or DM @‌fashionbusinessmindset

    Let’s build your next phase of growth — with clarity and confidence.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
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