September 27th, 2015
In the current design landscape, where there’s a trend in limited pieces and customized one-offs, it’s nearly impossible for designers…
September 26th, 2015
We love seeing American Made blossom, and it’s all thanks to the strength of relationships between factories and brands. Want…
September 25th, 2015
With costs of labor and fabric soaring, budget-conscious designers are cutting costs wherever possible, especially in the early years of a…
September 24th, 2015
Let’s get into the time machine and fast forward to the point where you’re going to a factory and putting your ideas into work. If you don’t have EVERYTHING available and ready to go for…
September 18th, 2015
The one piece of advice (and possibly the best) that we always give new designers is to start small. Specifically, that means launching with only a few styles and then producing a small number of…
September 17th, 2015
After a year and a half in the research and development phase researching factories, I’ve picked up a few things about selecting the…
September 14th, 2015
Factories work hard to produce fantastic work and reviews are a great way to showcase those efforts. Reviews let you know what kind of…
September 10th, 2015
Exclusively Kristen was born out of necessity: there were few brands that made quality shirts for large-busted women. I had a great…
September 8th, 2015
At Maker’s Row, we’re honored to work with some incredible factories who prove that American Made is going from strength to…
August 31st, 2015
Made in America is getting stronger and stronger, and there are plenty of young guns flying the flag for domestic design and manufacturing….
August 29th, 2015
I imagine most entrepreneurs know this feeling at the outset of whatever it is they’re trying to get off the ground: you’re simultaneously crystal clear…and totally lost. You’re…
August 28th, 2015
Meeting in-person with a factory before starting the production process is a great way to work out if they’re a good fit with your brand….
August 22nd, 2015
After immersing yourself in the world of design, it’s inevitable that the language of the industry will start creeping into your day-to-day conversations. What you need to be aware of, however, is…
August 17th, 2015
Ready to take things to the next level? Factories deal with countless inquiries from designers hoping to team up to produce their wares,…
August 10th, 2015
Roadtrips have a special place in America’s heart, and we’d take any excuse to get behind the wheel. So did the team at Shaveface, purveyors of American Made strops (yeah, we needed a dictionary…
August 7th, 2015
When it comes to samples, we don’t believe in unicorns. Because while it certainly costs more to produce more than one sample, it’s an investment that’s entirely worthwhile when you weigh up…
August 6th, 2015
You’ve made vows, exchanged rings and committed to manufacturing in the United States. Mazel tov! Still, there’s a learning curve…
August 3rd, 2015
This year, we’ve teamed up with SOURCING at MAGIC to give designers, small business owners, and creative entrepreneurs unparalleled,…
Had a flash of brilliance for a hot new footwear collection? You’re off to a great start. However, tackling the footwear business is often a step into unchartered territory, and this is a…
August 1st, 2015
As a designer, it’s easy to get immersed in the details of a piece or collection, but…
July 27th, 2015
When ideas are flowing thick and fast, it can be tempting to jump on every single one to execute, but not always viable: either for your…
July 22nd, 2015
Hardware startups are hard, and require a lot of money upfront for design and tooling….
July 21st, 2015
So, you know the ropes of working with contractors. But what’s the deal with materials suppliers? Do you need an agent or a broker? And…
July 18th, 2015
You’ve had the lightbulb moment – the idea that you know you’ll do anything to bring to fruition. But what does ‘anything’ entail? How do you secure funding? Should you take out a loan?…
July 17th, 2015
Being an entrepreneur is an exhilarating roller coaster ride! One moment you’re killing it, and the next minute you are asking…
July 14th, 2015
When 17 people meet on a rooftop at sunrise, it’s an experience. When you capture them naked, their stories etched onto their bodies, looking out over the industrial stomping grounds of Brooklyn at…
July 13th, 2015
You might have an idea that needs to be fleshed out, or perhaps you’re trying to figure…
July 11th, 2015
Speaking with Chris Williams of New York-based Union Surfboards, there’s no mistaking the brand’s devotion to building enduring…
July 10th, 2015
Living and hustling in the city that never sleeps isn’t short on challenges – but ask any New Yorker, and they’ll just tell you how much they revel in the curveballs. One thing that…
July 6th, 2015
Cyclewear: it’s not exactly known for both style and comfort. With that in mind, Lift…
As consumers increasingly look for transparency around the making and sourcing of the…