A lot of you ask me about my clients and where you can find them, so it is time to start another blog series. Even though this new series will fall under the INSIDE THE FASHION INDUSTRY umbrella, it will be focused on my amazing clients and their work. But, before introducing my clients to you all, I decided to introduce myself. Not as the Barbara Sessim that you already know, but just as Barbara. The product development/production management coach.
To be clear, I am not doing this only because you all asked, but because my amazing clients deserve it! And, since this topic has (also) been at the top of my most requested blogs, it seems fair to start this new series writing about who I am as a personal Fashion Business coach and how it is to work with me.
The fact that I love what I do is no news, but the truth is that I love my job because I am a problem solver, and helping designers to launch a successful business is my main goal! And this is something that certainly spills on the clients that I attract.
When I first started my business I promised myself that I would only work with clients who are worth my time and knowledge. I come from a fashion coaching background and I worked at a company that offered coaching services, but half of the clients who hired us were not 100% serious about launching a clothing line. So I promised myself that I would never let that happen with my clients. It turned out that I am not only very selective about my clients, but I also see (successful) results in the work they put in.
Some of my clients come from a fashion background and some of them don’t. Regardless of where they are coming from, my job is to make sure they have everything they need to achieve their goal. This means that they will have the knowledge and the sources to get the work done. This also means that I keep my foot on the ground and push them to do their best, stay focused, get work done, and be realistic - which is not always their favorite thing to do.
If you talk to any of my clients their reaction about working with me will always be good and they will show gratitude for the work we did together. But the truth is that working with me is quite tough and you should expect to provide, as well as receive, discipline because, at the end of the day, everything goes down to getting the work done.
I am the kind of person who is black & white (no wonder this is my favorite color combination). Why? Well, there is a reason why I have been doing this for so long: I understand the fashion industry! Product development and production management do not have a secret formula and do not always happen in a certain order. The way how things are done can change according to each client's needs, and that is why working with me means no room for error, as well as being straightforward.
As a coach, I adapt well to what is needed, but not all my clients tend to adapt very easily. That is the main reason why working with me can be tough! Designers and investors can have their heads everywhere because they are passionate about what they do and, when you are like that, ideas seem to keep flowing. It can be hard to say no to your ideas and visions but, if I were your coach, I will certainly make you keep your feet on the ground and follow realistic ideas that can be done according to your budget, timeline, costing, and whatever else is involved in your particular project.
Let’s make one thing clear, I am understanding! Personal problems can get in the way, creative minds have trouble focusing, and, sometimes, things just happen. I treat my coaching clients as clients (first of all!), but also as friends and people who need to be listened to. In that way, I can understand how their mind works and how I can get the most productivity out of them.
I am not a psychologist, far from that, but I will admit that sometimes it feels like that, because I constantly catch myself telling my clients “it is ok that this task has not been done, but it is important to take a step back, see what is blocking you from getting it done, make sure you are organized with your to-do list and be on top of the result you are looking for. Otherwise, we will both lack productivity and we will not achieve the best results”. It is easy for me to show my clients that I care (because I do) and that I am patient, but do not expect to not have your but* kicked for not getting the work done.
I promised myself that I would not be the coach who does not care if the client got the work done or not. The opposite! I promised myself that I would only work with clients who show me results. Remember what I said about working with clients who are worth my time and knowledge? This is exactly what I am talking about!
As I said, it turns out that I am very selective about my clients. I certainly do not accept clients just because they like the fashion industry and they want to know more about it. You can read my blogs for that! I only accept clients that I believe in, people who are determined to make things happen and who are passionate about the career they want to build. The most important tips for working with me are: always be proactive, get the work done, have discipline, and be curious. Always be eager to learn!
What do you need to do to work with me? Start scheduling a free 30 min strategy call with me through the link below.
How does the Fashion Coaching Program work and everything that is involved in the coaching classes? Hm… You can find all the answers here, you can schedule a call with me, or you can wait for next week's blog and the special content I am planning for you.
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