Tag: product

It’s time to create the next generation of business leaders. Yes, we’re talking about you!

Posted on | by Shelly Caldwell

MICHAEL KORS SAID IT BECAUSE IT IS TRUE.

But if you have a unquenchable passion for fashion, if you are ready to get into the apparel business, we’re here to help.

    Want your info in short bursts?  That’s our Saturday morning seminars.
Want something more in-depth information so you can get your ideas produced?  Are you looking to beef up your resumé?  Those are the business classes.
Either way, our goal is to make you a success and keep you from going broke while enjoying your creative life.
All classes are taught by professionals from international companies, local production companies and fabric manufacturers.  Wherever they work, they all know the industry rules.

Saturday Seminars

10 am-1 pm. Online

Sign up for one or sign up for the whole series and get juicy info from the best in the biz who will share the secrets of their success.
Here’s the what, when, who is teaching it and what’s in it for you.

> Start an Apparel Business
January 14
Karen Spencer, Searchfunder
Learn the basics & rules of setting up your apparel business.

> Future of Fashion

January 21
Jena Nesbitt, PCF

    Spot & forecast fashion trends months and even years ahead.

> PR Techniques
January 28
Kim Bedwell, Wild Hive Marketing

    Get noticed and get coverage from media & bloggers.

> Excel for Apparel
February 4
Dana Ditto, Nike

    Manage your costs, track your business, create spec sheets & more.

> Costing & Pricing
February 11
Dana Ditto, Nike

    Learn what you can afford & how much to charge.

> Sourcing
February 18
Dana Ditto, Nike

    Where will you get your fabric and labor?

> Apparel Business Legal Basics
February 25
Talya Tapley, attorney

    Protect what you are creating through LLC, IP & contracts.

> Working with Production
March 4
Corazon Reynolds, A&K Design

    Find out how to get your product made at the right time, right way, right price.

> E-Commerce Concepts (AI, digital, DTC)
March 11
Jena Nesbitt, PCF

    Get the basics of successfully selling online.

> Selling Wholesale
March 18
Jena Nesbitt , PCF

    Learn how to approach stores and enter a wholesale relationship.

> Social Media Marketing
March 25
Rebecca Russell W+K

    Get the secrets of how to use social media.

> Accounting Basics
April 1
Christina Gallagher, accountant

Get the basics of QuickBooks to set up a business & get ready for the IRS.
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Business Classes

At the end of each, you will have serious results and understandings you can put to use.

Here’s the what, when, who is teaching it and what’s in it for you.

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Fashion Analytics

with Robert LaCosse, UX expert
Mondays, Jan 9-Feb 13, 6-9 pm
Do they like you?  Really, really like you?  What did you do right?  What did you do wrong?  User experience or UX is in nearly every job description for good reason.  You need to know how to interpret analytics to better succeed in today’s online world.

A UX strategist with more than 15 years experience, Robert shares insights with large and small companies, agencies, freelance engagements, and universities.
——————

E-Commerce

with Jena Nesbitt, PCF
Tuesdays, Jan 10-March 28. 6-9 pm
Create your own e-commerce website without wasting time and money.  Have it work for you rather than you working for it.

Visual Merchandising

Fridays, Jan 13-Feb 17, 2-5 pm
Present your merchandise — whether online or bricks & mortar — by using tried and true marketing secrets to show your stuff at its best and increase sales.

Fashion Buying & Merchandising

Fridays, Feb 24-March 31, 2-5 pm
Learn how meet manufacturers and sales reps and make friends, as well as a profit.

Nesbitt has more than 10 years of experience as a product designer, creative director, brand strategist and business developer.
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Strategic Marketing

with Karen Spencer, Searchfunder
Wednesdays, Feb 22-March 29, 6-9 pm
Who is going to buy your stuff?  Where?  At what price?  How are you going to promote & distribute?  Find the answers in this class.

As a trainer and counselor, Spencer consults and works hands-on with start-ups, non-profits and established businesses from Silicon Valley to Nike.
——————

Materials Development

with Anna Fort, Exit21
Thursdays, Jan 12-Feb 16, 6-9 pm
You can’t patent a design but you can patent a textile or a component.  Learn how to create your own, how to use them and where.

Fort is a leader in fabric & fiber and has worked in materials for Columbia Sportswear, Merrell and Nike.
——————

Product Development

with Daniel Roeder, Nike
Thursdays, Feb 23-March 30, 6-9 pm
Live the life of a typical industry job with a seasoned product developer.

Roeder has worked in the industry for more than 20 years and currently leads product integrity operations at Nike.
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Sustainable Design

with Trish Langman, internally acclaimed sustainable designer
Fridays, Jan 13-Feb 17, 10 am-1 pm 
Work with a leader in waste couture.  Find ways to reduce energy, water and chemicals and use circularity in your designs — all while staying in business.

Langman has over eighteen years experience designing for prestigious fashion companies worldwide.  She just completed a community-funded sustainability project for the city of Los Angeles.
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We’re ready to give you the #business. Let’s get started on the new year with a new you.

How to get a job

Posted on | by Sharon

How to get a job at Columbia Sportswear — or any of Portland’s major apparel companies.

We asked Adam Andreas, senior product developer at CS and instructor at PFI.  Here’s what he had to say.

Q. In your field of work, what education, skills, and training do you seek in the ideal candidate?

A. I seek someone with concrete skills in design and computer applications like Adobe Creative Suite who can demonstrate and show those skills. Ideally someone with a college degree and certificate, or certificate in apparel and demonstrating high level of skills and understanding of apparel construction and design. [Editor’s Note:  PFI offers these certificates.]

Q. Does your field of work genuinely hire full time?

A. Yes generally 90% of roles in design/development are full-time. Usually if temp there is opportunity to be hired on which happens quite often.

Q. Are there specific schools or training you recommend?

A. I recommend a training in apparel design or tech design. It is important that the person who has training has it specifically in apparel and not another design concentration such as industrial or interior design as the ideal candidate has knowledge in apparel construction.

Q. Does this job have any special requirements? (Ability to travel, shift work, special licenses, etc.)

A. Ability to travel is a must. Typically 1-2 international trips to vendors, some domestic travel at times. No other special requirements.

Q. Do you know other employers that hire for this or similar occupation?

A. Yes.  There are quite a few apparel companies [in the Portland area].

Q. What is your entry-level salary range?

A. $40-50K per year is typical entry level salary.

Q. Are there advancement and educational opportunities?

A. Yes. There is an online and onsite Learning and Development department with classes available to increase skills in every way possible. For advancement opportunities there are many. There are opportunities to move up in departments and there is also opportunity to move laterally between many different apparel focused departments such as design, development, materials, quality, merchandising, sourcing.  All areas are valid to move into with an apparel design background.

[Editor’s note:  Adam teaches Flats & Techs plus Concept & Development for PFI.  Look for all of these classes at PFI.  After all, “we are apparel people teaching apparel people.”  Flats by Erich Treeby, PFI graduate and tailor at Wildwood & Company.]