In this week's CFC Newsletter, you'll find:

🧵 Why most freelancers are building in the wrong order

🧵 News, industry events and a freelancer spotlight

🧵 Scholarships for UK design students and a textiles award 

🧵 15+ new jobs in conscious fashion

Hi First name / readers,

Most people starting their freelance services or consultancy spend weeks, months, or even years building an offer. They define their services, set their rates, design a website, and start posting content.

Then they go looking for clients — and are met with crickets. 

Why? Because they built an answer before they understood the problem.

I see this again and again. But the freelancers getting traction fastest aren't the ones with the most polished websites (though it helps). What they do have is a deep understanding of the problem they're solving.

Instead of starting with defining what they do (like email marketing), they start with the problem their client is experiencing (“slow fashion brands struggling with inconsistent sales from social media”). 

Then not only does understanding the client's problem lead to more compelling sales copy, but it makes it far easier to pivot when needed.

Business of Fashion founder Imran Ahmed's first venture — a fashion brand incubator — quickly failed. But because he was clear on the problem he was solving (designers lacking business knowledge), he pivoted to build one of the industry's most influential media companies.

So if you're in the early stages of building your services offerings or consultancy or any other kind of business, here's the most valuable thing you can do: get in the room with your future clients before you build.

While “I build circularity strategies for mid-size brands” is fine, fine won't cut it in an era of shrinking sustainability budgets.

But if you know clients are struggling with unsold stock that’s occupying inventory space, now you’re not just selling a nice-to-have, you’re solving an expensive issue. Your positioning gets stronger, your offer more compelling, and your pricing is rooted in your value, not an hourly rate.

If you're sitting with a big idea but not sure what problem you're actually solving or for whom, that's exactly what I dig into with clients in my Clarity Calls. These are focused, collaborative sessions to help you get unstuck, cut through the overwhelm, and walk away with a defined multi-step plan for your next steps.

→ Book your Clarity Call here. (Heads up, pricing is going up June 15.)

💚 Cheering you on,

Elizabeth Joy | Director, CFC

Not a member yet? Learn more & join the waitlist.

Leah Cahill is an innovative, sustainable clothing designer and creative director. With over two decades of experience at Blue Fish Clothing, as their Design Director, she has honed her expertise in clothing design and development, bringing over 10 collections to life annually. Her approach to sustainable fashion blends nostalgic elements with contemporary design, ensuring that both style and environmental responsibility are at the forefront.

🎓 British Fashion Council Scholarships

Supporting the next generation of British fashion talent — from craft and manufacturing to contemporary design — BFC is offering financial support, mentoring, and industry connections in partnership with leading fashion brands including Barbour, Chanel, and Dior. 

Scholarships: Varies (e.g. BFC Barbour Scholarship: £5,000 to 3 students)
Open to: Students enrolled in BA or MA Fashion Design courses at a BFC Colleges Council university in the UK
Deadline: June 22

🧶 Textile Exchange Climate and Nature Impact Awards

This annual award celebrates individuals and partnerships creating measurable change in how fibers and raw materials are produced.

Awards: Conference ticket, feature across Textile Exchange platforms
Open to: Brands, retailers, farmers, producers, suppliers, and recyclers
Deadline: June 30

👗 ICYMI: Cartier Women's Initiative

Award and fellowship program funding talented impact entrepreneurs from around the world who are leveraging business as a force for good. The organization awards grants of $30,000 - $100,000 across 9 global regions. Deadline: June 16

Conscious Fashion Collective (CFC) is a global community and resource hub for sustainable fashion founders and professionals. Dive deeper: