Blending Cultures while Building a Brand: The Mixed Up Clothing Story with Founder Sonia Smith-Kang

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta interviews Sonia Smith-Kang, founder of Mixed Up Clothing, a children's brand that blends culture through fashion. Sonia shares her journey from being a registered nurse to launching her clothing line, driven by a desire to celebrate diversity and representation. She discusses the challenges of starting a business without a fashion background, her experiences in retail, and the importance of community and culture in her work. In this conversation, she discusses her journey in the retail industry, focusing on strategic partnerships, navigating consignment sales, and the importance of re-engaging with major retailers. She shares insights on preparing for retail success, the reality of launching products, and the challenges of marketing and visibility. Sonia emphasizes the need for funding and resource allocation, networking to accelerate sales, and expanding product lines through collaborations. She also highlights the importance of building a team for growth and the challenges faced during her retail journey, particularly during the pandemic. Finally, Sonia outlines her future goals and aspirations for her brand, Mixed Up Clothing.Links Mentioned:Mixed Up Clothing Website: https://mixedupclothing.com/Mixed Up Clothing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mixedupclothing Support the showEvent Partner: Nourish Summit & Expo (Oct. 5-7, 2027 | Baltimore) - Use code SHELFTALKS10 for 10% off full registration https://bit.ly/4sx0ZbaLooking for more? Visit our Linktree for the latest episodes, free resources, retail tips, and ways to connect with the Shelf Talks community.https://linktr.ee/shelftalkspodcastLove what you hear on Shelf Talks? You can now support the podcast. Every contribution helps bring more indie voices to the mic. Thank you for being part of this journey! ✨https://www.buzzsprout.com/2411532/supportContact us via email: [email protected] Reach out if you know of a female founder with an impactful brand and retail story and leave a review if you found value in this episode! [email protected] the book Shelf Talk: A step by step guide to launching your product in Retail Stores by Roberta Townes Buy Book