243 | Business Idea and Product Validation in a Festival | with Michael Hodgen

Michael Hodgen is a visionary entrepreneur and the dynamic CEO of Freedom Rave Wear, a trailblazing company that designs and manufactures cutting-edge, sustainable festival clothing.

Under Michael's leadership, Freedom Rave Wear has become a frontrunner in the festival fashion industry, known for its innovative designs, eco-friendly practices, and commitment to the community.

Driven by a strong belief in sustainability and manufacturing, Michael has integrated environmentally friendly materials and processes into the company's operations.

With his finger on the pulse of the latest Ecommerce trends, Michael has skillfully navigated the ever-evolving online marketplace, ensuring Freedom Rave Wear continues to thrive and expand.

In This Conversation We Discuss:

• [00:00] Intro
• [01:00] What is Freedom Rave Wear?
• [03:17] Validating the idea for FRW
• [04:46] Starting to grow the brand organically
• [05:53] How FRW became an online business
• [08:46] Evolving the manufacturing capacity
• [10:55] Why FRW choose to manufacture in-house
• [13:16] Production based on what the customer really wants
• [14:54] Minimums can be a limiting factor for your business
• [15:38] Apparel brands don’t have to manufacture in-house
• [16:46] Sponsor: Electric Eye https://electriceye.io/connect
• [17:44] Sponsor: Shopify https://shopify.com/honest
• [19:26] Sponsor: Sendlane https://sendlane.com/honest
• [20:52] Cashflow advantages of not having deadstock
• [22:15] COVID was especially challenging for FRW
• [22:39] Pivoting to Fabric Punch
• [23:32] The advantages of having a micro factory
• [24:18] Having a close feedback loop with customers
• [25:40] Scaling up from “festival” customer acquisition
• [26:51] The innate synergy in FRW’s niche
• [27:57] When you should consider paid ads
• [28:42] How FRW does their paid ads
• [29:51] Where to support FRW

Resources:

• Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on Youtube
• Body positive, eco-friendly, & affordable reedomravewear.com
• Follow Michael linkedin.com/in/michaelhodgen
• Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connect
• Take your retail business to the next level today shopify.com/honest
  Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period
• Schedule your free consultation with a Sendlane expert sendlane.com/honest

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