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Sometimes the best way to grow as an entrepreneur, especially in the world of independent retail, is to learn from those who’ve been in your shoes. When it comes to being an independent business owner, connecting and growing through conversations with fellow entrepreneurs in the retail industry can be a vital component of success.
To help you connect with this community, and to help you along your entrepreneurial journey, we’re hosting Entrepreneur Faire—a free, first-of-its-kind educational series broadcast live on Instagram. Attendees will learn from industry experts and connect with Faire community members through 20–30 minute Instagram Live sessions. Topics include navigating the current economic environment and inventory planning to landing your dream retail partner, leaning into your brand values, and more.
Broadcasting will run daily from 10 AM PST–12:00 PM PST, October 17–20.
How to tune in:
- Follow @faire_wholesale.
- Open Instagram at the broadcast time in the app or at Instagram.com.
- Find the @faire_wholesale profile picture above your feed. You’ll see a colorful ring around it and the word “Live”.
- Tap the profile picture to join the session.
Hear from industry experts and trend forecasters
Our live educational programming will include insights from experts and trend forecasters from across the retail industry.
Therese Ørtenblad, founder of Small Business Collaborative
Ørtenblad offers guidance and knowledge to help creative business owners succeed in the world of wholesale. Therese will use her skills as a small business mentor and her expertise from 13+ years in the retail industry to answer your questions about growing wholesale sales, pitching your dream retailers, and more.
Lauren Cooks Levitan, Chief Financial Officer at Faire, and Ashley Alderson, founder of The Boutique Hub
Alderson—founder of an online community of retail industry professionals called The Boutique Hub—and Cooks Levitan will discuss navigating turbulent times as a small business owner during the holiday season and beyond.
Carla Nikitaidis and Kathryn Humphries of All You Need Method
Join Nikitaidis and Humphries in their Q&A on building a brand. The co-founders and longtime PR professionals will answer your questions about setting your brand apart, marketing best practices, building a loyal customer base, and more.
Kristin Fisher, retail strategy coach, mentor, and founder of custom gifting studio Bocu
Fisher will use her years of experience in corporate retail as a buyer for brands like Urban Outfitters and Lands End to offer tips on how to succeed in retail, including merchandising advice, wholesale outreach tips from a buyer’s perspective, and sales and inventory planning.
Mark Cohen, Director of Retail Studies at Columbia University and former Chairman/CEO of Sears Canada Inc
Cohen will share his wisdom from 30+ years of experience in the retail industry on building a resilient business, what it takes to succeed in today’s retail landscape, and more.
Analyst and CEO of research company Telsey Advisory Group (TAG), Dana Telsey
Telsey will join us to provide insights on 2022 retail trends, predictions for 2023, and a look at the mindset of today’s consumers.
Alexa Allamano, founder of retail store and jewelry brand Foamy Wader
Allamano will share her experience implementing virtual window shopping and opening a second retail location.
Learn from Faire’s community of brands and retailers
Entrepreneur Faire will also feature community panels with members of Faire’s inspiring brand and retailer community.
The entrepreneurs behind beverage brand Droplet, drinkware brand Well Told, and sticker brand Big Moods will join us to discuss succeeding in the world of wholesale. They’ll share their journeys as entrepreneurs, how they got started in wholesale, tips for success, and more.
TikTok expert Kaila Uli will join two social media savvy members of the Faire community—Cassandra Thurswell, CEO of viral beauty brand KITSCH, and Keewa Nurallah, Founder of children’s store Kido—to discuss leveraging social media to build community and grow your business.
We’ll also hear from Jane Moon, CEO of apparel brand Lucca Couture, on how she grew her company, the importance of preorders, tips for wholesale success as an apparel brand, and more. Plus, snack brand Emmy’s Organics and spice brand Spiceology will share the importance of brand values, how they live by those values, and how to promote your brand values authentically.
To close out, members of the Faire team will give you an inside look at what’s trending in the marketplace for winter 22/’23.
Save the lineup
Follow us on Instagram for updates leading up to the event, and to watch each live session at Entrepreneur Faire.
