Filter The Feedback

If you’re a designer hustling to make your mark in the fashion world, you’ve probably been hit with a lot of advice—like, a lot of it. Between incubators, mentors, and investors, there’s no shortage of people telling you what you should or shouldn’t do. It’s tempting to take all that advice and run with it, but here’s the kicker: not all advice is good advice, and sometimes you’ve gotta throw it right back.

Investors: They Should Love You as You Are

Let’s talk investors. You want their money and they want a piece of your brand—it’s the business world’s version of dating. But here's where things can get tricky: if you keep changing who you are just to get that "yes," you’re in trouble. Imagine getting into a relationship where you have to change your style, your personality, even your hobbies, just to keep the other person happy. Sounds miserable, right? The same goes for your business.

Your brand is your baby, and the last thing you need is someone trying to reshape it into something it’s not just because they’re holding the checkbook. Sure, investors have experience and ideas, but if you keep bending over backwards to make them happy, you’re going to end up losing what makes your brand unique. A good investor will believe in your vision and back you without trying to run the show.

So, here’s a little reminder: if they don’t love your brand for what it is, they’re probably not the right match. Don’t sell out just to secure the bag—you’ll pay for it later when they’re asking for a hundred little changes that chip away at your vision.

Incubators: Take What You Need, Leave the Rest

Then there are incubators. These can be super cool—full of other creatives, resources, and guidance to help your business grow. But just like how not all Netflix shows are binge-worthy (sorry, some are a waste of time), not all advice you hear in incubators is worth following. You’ll get a lot of well-meaning suggestions, but here’s the thing: not every mentor or peer in these programs knows your market or brand like you do.

Sometimes the advice is trendy or based on whatever’s hot at the moment (cue the latest TikTok fashion craze), and that’s not always the best path for your brand. It’s important to recognize when the advice feels more like “fitting in” than standing out. You didn’t get into fashion to be just another copycat, right? So, take the good advice, smile politely at the stuff that doesn’t fit, and keep doing you.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

Here’s the bottom line: this is your brand, and you know it better than anyone else. Yes, investors and incubators can help get you where you want to go, but not if they’re steering you off course. Trust your gut, stay true to your vision, and don’t be afraid to say “no” when advice or feedback doesn’t align with what you’re building.

In the end, the right investors will be the ones cheering you on from the sidelines, not trying to change your playbook. And incubators? They’re tools to help you grow, not places where you need to overhaul your brand to fit someone else’s idea of what works.

So, go ahead and be picky. Your brand is worth it. And the next time someone says you should “pivot,” just remind them that you know exactly where you’re headed.

Photo courtesy of fizkes / Shutterstock.