Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Today we’re diving deep into financial literacy for fashionpreneurs—a topic we often avoid but need to master. In this episode, I break down the financial struggles of running a fashion business, share my own experiences from starting out as a blogger to building multiple brands, and discuss the biggest financial mistakes fashion entrepreneurs make.

PLUS, I have a special guest—Michael Rangel, Founder & CEO of Novo.Co, which is my business bank platform of choice. We discuss how fintech is changing the game for small business owners and how you can take control of your business finances.

💻 Novo Platform – My go-to for small business banking. Sign up here: https://onboarding.novo.co/signup?referral_code=AlexandriaBrown1&first_name=Alexandria
🛍 Jance Chartae – E-commerce & boutique expert. Follow her for fashion biz tips!
💡 ChatGPT & AI – How I use AI to optimize business strategy

📌 Audit your finances: Are you separating personal & business expenses?
📌 Research business banking options: If you don’t have a business bank, start with Novo
📌 Check your pricing strategy: Are you actually making a profit?
📌 Plan for the future: Look at your cash flow, taxes, and funding option

📲 Follow me on Instagram: @akbrownstl
🌐 Website: www.akbrownstl.com
📖 Read Advisor. Magazine: www.advisormag.co

💬 Love the episode? Leave a review and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway!

*Novo is a fintech company; not a bank. Deposit account services provided by Middlesex Federal Savings, F.A., Member FDIC. Physical debit cards issued by Middlesex Federal Savings or Patriot Bank, N.A., Member FDIC; virtual cards issued by Patriot Bank, pursuant to licenses from Mastercard® International Incorporated. Mastercard can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! After a brief hiatus (sorry yall!), I’m back with an insightful episode about branding, social media strategy, and how to refine your brand for success. I break down my own brand refresh process, how I’m reworking my content strategy, and how you can do the same for your fashion business, whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or industry professional.

• Why I took a break and what I’ve been working on
• My personal branding overhaul and why it’s necessary for 2025
• The role of social media in business growth and how I’m approaching my strategy
• How to use ChatGPT and AI for branding and content planning
• Breaking down audience personas and why knowing your audience is key
• My content pillars and how they shape my strategy
• Homework: Steps to analyze your brand, define your audience, and track your content strategy

✅ A deep dive into branding and refining your social media strategy
✅ The importance of visuals and working with a branding expert (shoutout to Joan Fisher!)
✅ Using ChatGPT for content creation and branding insights
✅ Creating an audience persona to tailor your content and engagement strategies
✅ A step-by-step approach to developing a strong brand and content strategy

• Follow Joan Fisher (Saint Louis) – An absolute visual powerhouse! If you're in St. Louis or beyond, I highly recommend working with her for branding & editorial photography. You can book her whether you’re local or willing to fly her out! Follow Joan & connect: https://www.instagram.com/joan_fisher/
• Identify your brand pillars
• Define your audience personas and where they show up online
• Analyze your social media stats (followers, engagement, CTRs, etc.)
• Start building out your content strategy

🔜 Special guest interview with Michael Rangel, CEO of Novo Bank! We’ll be discussing financial strategies for fashion entrepreneurs—don’t miss it! (If you want to go ahead and apply for an account, you can do so here!: https://onboarding.novo.co/signup?referral_code=AlexandriaBrown1&first_name=Alexandria)

📲 Follow me on Instagram: @akbrownstl
🌐 Website: www.akbrownstl.com
📖 Read Advisor. Magazine: www.advisormag.co

💬 Love the episode? Leave a review and tag me on Instagram with your biggest takeaway!

Welcome to episode 2 of the second season of The Haute Guide! If I was ever to do a TedTalk - it would be on this topic. Remember when I did the episode on if fashion school is a scam?

Well with the continous conversation regarding education as a whole, and if majoring in a "passion" or a hobby is the reason why many aren't finding success, I wanted to give my perspective as someone who technically has done that and found some sort of success.

Why You Should Listen:

• You're a student entering college who's interested in fashion
• You're a current fashion student who's looking on how to use their degree after college
• You're a fashion education professional like myself!

Make sure to subscribe, follow, share - and leave us a review on whereever you listen to The Haute Guide.

Host Bio:

AK Brown - The Fashion Connector is a multi-talented fashion expert and thought leader dedicated to empowering fashion creatives, entrepreneurs, and brands. With over a decade of experience in the industry, AK provides invaluable insights and services through her coaching programs, intensives, and various resources. She is passionate about helping others find their unique path in the fashion world, offering guidance on everything from styling to branding.

Contact Information:

For questions, comments, or to suggest topics, email me at hello@akbrownstl.com and follow me below:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akbrownstl
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akbrownstl/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@akbrownstl
• The Akademy:
  • https://www.facebook.com/theakademy.co
• The Fashion Firm.:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557579432872
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefashionfirm.co/
• Advisor.:
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/advisor.mg
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advisor.mag/
  • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@advisormag
  • Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-advised/id1
• Fashio Career & Educational Resources:
  • Where to Find Fashion Jobs:
    • https://www.akbrownstl.com/over-10-of-the-best-places-to-find-fashion-jobs/
    • https://advisormag.co/careers/
  • Additional Fashion Certifications:
    • https://www.akbrownstl.com/5-online-fashion-certificates-to-help-boost-your-career/
  • My IG Reels on Fashion Jobs & Education:
    • https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9GPI7pJXId/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
    • https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7Z6CPLpsVS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
    • https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9fWhEcsD5l/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
    • https://www.instagram.com/reel/C64qCavM62v/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
    • https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6mOq48pP3o/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==