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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
  • Inside THE ICONIC’s Platform Evolution: Media, Fulfilment and Customer Obsession — Joshua Nunan, Director of Platform Media & Services

    Inside THE ICONIC’s Platform Evolution: Media, Fulfilment and Customer Obsession — Joshua Nunan, Director of Platform Media & Services
    Sep 30 2026
    Joshua Nunan is the Director of Platform Media & Services at THE ICONIC, where he leads the company’s retail media, partner marketing and fulfilment services. Since joining THE ICONIC in 2018, Josh has progressed through several roles, from Senior Buyer to General Manager of Sports, Beauty and Home, before stepping into his current position. In this episode, Josh takes us inside the evolution of THE ICONIC and the rapidly changing relationship between brands, retailers and platforms. He explains how THE ICONIC is helping its brand partners reach customers, create more seamless experiences and fuel mutual growth through media, marketplace and fulfilment solutions. We discuss: Josh’s dynamic career journey and the experiences that shaped his approach to retail THE ICONIC’s evolution from start-up to scale-up and its continued focus on profitable growth Why customer obsession must be lived throughout an organisation—not simply written on the wall How THE ICONIC works with brands to create memorable physical and digital campaigns The growing importance of data, real-time insights and measurable marketing The differences between wholesale, marketplace, dropship and fulfilment models How brands can combine marketplace reach with greater control over pricing and assortment Why faster, consolidated delivery can strengthen trust and improve the customer experience How retail media can support customers from discovery and consideration through to conversion The changing customer journey and why the phone remains some of the world’s most valuable retail real estate Why AI is foundational—not optional—and how it is accelerating content, personalisation and decision-making What THE ICONIC’s B Corp certification represents for the business and its brand partners The role of trusted leaders, mentorship and curiosity in Josh’s career progression Josh’s approach to wellbeing and the routines that help him perform as a leader and working parent What excites him about the next evolution of THE ICONIC and the future of retail Energetic, insightful and generous, Josh shares a fascinating perspective on the future of retail and the opportunities ahead for brands willing to embrace change. CONNECT WITH JOSH Joshua Nunan Linkedin _________ 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 US Work with Fashion Equipped 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. Explore here: The Fashion Business Growth Roadmap | Fashion Equipped — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting Connect with us: Instagram: @‌fashionequipped Podcast Insta: @‌fashionbusinessmindset Facebook: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC 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.
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Are You Killing the Profit in Your Fashion Business?

    Are You Killing the Profit in Your Fashion Business?
    Aug 21 2026
    There are plenty of external pressures impacting fashion businesses right now. Rising costs, cautious consumers, increasing competition and the growing cost of customer acquisition are all very real. But what if some of the biggest threats to profitability are actually coming from inside the business? In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa looks at the decisions and behaviours that can quietly erode profit in founder-led fashion businesses. From overbuying, poor merchandise planning and unplanned markdowns to margin erosion, marketing inefficiency, warehousing costs, data hygiene and operational cost creep, Elizabeth explores some of the profit leaks she sees most consistently across the industry. She also looks at the responsibility of the founder as the business grows. You don't need to know everything, but when you find yourself acting as the buyer, merchandise planner, marketer or commercial leader without the necessary knowledge or training, how are you building that capability and getting the right support around you? The episode explores: Merchandise planning, inventory and open-to-buy Protecting intake margin and reducing margin erosion The true commercial impact of markdown and promotional activity Sourcing, supplier terms and cash flow Marketing efficiency, customer acquisition and lifetime value Warehousing, technology and operational cost creep Data hygiene and the numbers you should understand AI, technology and productivity as part of the profitability equation Training, upskilling and knowing when to seek external support Founder accountability and stronger commercial decision-making With the final months of the year still ahead, Elizabeth challenges fashion business owners to identify the biggest profit leaks in their business now, rather than waiting until year-end to ask where the profit went. Because profit isn't just what happens at the end of the year. It's the outcome of the decisions you make all year. WORK WITH US __________ Upcoming Online Masterclass — Register Now Join our upcoming AI for Fashion Masterclass https://fashionequipped.com.au/ai-for-fashion-e-commerce-register-now 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 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: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC 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.
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    45 mins
  • Building Brands with Creativity, Conviction & Care | Laura Liles, Founder Kinga Csilla & Ciao Ciao Vacation

    Building Brands with Creativity, Conviction & Care | Laura Liles, Founder Kinga Csilla & Ciao Ciao Vacation
    Sep 17 2026
    What does it really take to build two fashion brands while protecting their creative identities, commercial foundations and long-term value? In this episode of Fashion Business Mindset, Elizabeth Formosa speaks with Laura Liles, founder and creative director of Australian fashion labels Kinga Csilla and Ciao Ciao Vacation. After spending a decade working across the Australian fashion industry, Laura launched Kinga Csilla in 2017 with a small collection, a $5,000 investment and a desire to create a more considered fashion business and workplace. Laura shares the realities of building the brand through years of reinvestment, family sacrifice and what she describes as blind faith. She reflects on the early production challenge that forced her to strengthen the business, the importance of learning through difficult moments and the confidence that comes from experience. The conversation explores Laura’s creative process and how she balances design instinct with customer feedback and commercial performance. She also takes us behind the scenes of her production network across India, Indonesia and China, sharing how she has built long-term relationships while maintaining quality, transparency and artisanal craftsmanship. Laura discusses the inspiration and strategy behind launching Ciao Ciao Vacation, how she maintains a distinct identity for each label and the different roles wholesale and ecommerce play across the two businesses. Elizabeth and Laura also explore selecting the right retail partners, supporting independent boutiques, protecting brand value, founder-led marketing and what is connecting with customers in the current fashion landscape. They also discuss how Laura and her team are using AI across data analysis, reporting, technical processes and supplier communication, while protecting the human creativity at the heart of the brands. The episode explores: Laura’s decade of industry experience before starting her own brand Launching Kinga Csilla with a $5,000 investment and no formal business plan Building a self-funded fashion business through reinvestment and resilience Learning from production challenges and strengthening quality-control processes Balancing creative instinct with customer insight and commercial performance Building production partnerships across India, Indonesia and China Preserving artisanal craftsmanship as the business grows The inspiration and strategy behind launching Ciao Ciao Vacation Managing two brands with distinct identities, customers and price points Balancing wholesale and direct-to-consumer growth Choosing retail partners and protecting long-term brand value Founder visibility, storytelling and what is working in fashion marketing Using AI to support fashion operations, data and production The mindset and support systems behind Laura’s journey What excites Laura about the future of her brands and the fashion industry CONNECT WITH LAURA AND HER BRANDS Laura Liles on Instagram: @‌laura_liles_ Kinga Csilla: kingacsilla.com Kinga Csilla on Instagram: @‌kinga_csilla Ciao Ciao Vacation: ciaociaovacation.com Ciao Ciao Vacation on Instagram: @‌ciao.ciao.vacation WORK WITH US –––––––––––––––– Upcoming Online Masterclass — Register Now Join our upcoming AI for Fashion Masterclass AI for Fashion E-commerce | Practical AI Systems to Create, Convert and Grow — Fashion Equipped: Fashion Business Consulting 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 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: Fashion Equipped | Melbourne VIC Website: Fashion Business Consulting and Mentoring | Fashion Equipped Interested in Sponsorship? We invite expressions of interest from aligned brands, retailers...
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    1 hr and 31 mins
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