Using What’s in Front of You: Sarah Vander Neut on Starting a Fashion Brand Without Waiting

In this episode, Sarah Vander Neut, founder of Vanderjacket, talks about what it's like to start before you feel ready, and to create using only what’s available to you.Sarah shares how her fashion and running brand began with deadstock fabric not as a mission-driven statement, but out of necessity. She opens up about the early fear of using materials that couldn’t be reproduced, the pressure of making irreversible decisions, and how those moments forced her to trust her instincts and learn fast.Throughout the conversation, Sarah reflects on failure as a teacher, the steep learning curve of entrepreneurship, and the importance of listening to the people around you, because often, the best ideas don’t come from doing it alone. As she puts it, “I started from ‘I didn’t know’ to ‘now I know,’” a quote that left our host speechless because this is a mindset that truly captures the heart of growth through experience.This episode is for founders, creatives, and professionals who are waiting for the right time. Sarah’s story is a reminder that clarity can come from action, and that confidence really does come from learning. Sarah also teaches us that resilience is built by surrounding yourself with people who can pull you through the hard seasons.In this episode, we cover:Starting a business with limited resourcesLearning from mistakes and early failuresMaking decisions when there’s no do-overWhy listening to others can accelerate growthBuilding confidence through experience, not perfectionThe power of surrounding yourself with the right peopleAre you learning as you go? Good. You're in the right place. And if you've been waiting, take this as a sign: Start.Sarah can be found on Instagram here, and you can check out what's in stock on Vanderjacket.com.Sarah's currently reading Good is the New Cool Guide to Meaningful Marketing: Guide to Meaningful Marketing by Afdhel Aziz and Bobby Jones, and a theological book written by Katherine Parr, King Henry VIII's sixth wife.That's the With Hat and Cattle promise: Bringing you stories from people who walk the walk and leave you better off for listening.Connect with Dani Raschel Chou on Instagram @withhatandcattle or via email at [email protected]. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more conversations that leave you better off for listening: With Hat and Cattle I Hosted by Dani Raschel Chou - YouTube! Go to www.withhatandcattle.com to sign up for our mailing list so you don't miss weekly insights. Be sure to check out our affiliate links!