Chase Your Dreams: Fashion Business Podcast

In this milestone 80th episode and Season finale, Glynis sits down with longtime friend Charlene Li, co-founder of EATABLE, to explore how she and her husband, Vincent, transformed a whisky-infused popcorn made at home into a million-dollar product brand carried by more than 1,600 retailers. Charlene shares how a pitch competition validated their idea, why customer feedback mattered more than perfecting the product behind closed doors and how EATABLE evolved into a brand centred on joy, celebration and connection. She also discusses bootstrapping the company from zero to more than $1 million in revenue, balancing ecommerce with wholesale growth, building an in-house production facility, working with her spouse and navigating entrepreneurship as a mother. Whether you are building a fashion, food or product-based business, this conversation offers practical lessons about validating an idea, understanding your numbers, choosing the right partners and taking the next step before everything feels certain.About Charlene LiCharlene Li is the co-founder of EATABLE, a premium snack brand offering gourmet popcorn and globally inspired flavours. After more than a decade in finance as a CPA, she combined her financial expertise with a passion for ecommerce, marketing and brand building to grow EATABLE from a home-kitchen idea into a million-dollar business carried by more than 1,600 retailers. The brand has collaborated with Disney, Netflix, Bacardí and other major organizations and has been featured on Dragon’s Den, the TODAY Show and in Entrepreneur. Charlene has also been recognized by the Mompreneur Awards, Markham Board of Trade and NACO’s Women Who Build.Connect With Charlene and EATABLEWebsite: eatable.comInstagram: @eatableincLinkedIn: Charlene LiIn This Episode, You’ll LearnHow Charlene transformed a pitch-winning kitchen idea into the EATABLE brandWhy speed to market and customer feedback matter more than perfecting a product behind closed doorsHow EATABLE bootstrapped its growth from zero to more than $1 million in revenueWhat it took to balance ecommerce and wholesale while expanding into more than 1,600 retailersHow building a business with her spouse and raising a family shaped Charlene’s approach to boundaries, risk and successConnect With GlynisLearn more about Glynis and Chase Your Dreams Consulting at glynistao.com.Instagram: @glynistaoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glynistao/If you enjoyed this episode, follow Chase Your Dreams on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share it with another founder building a product-based business.

In this episode, Glynis speaks with Michael “Mike” Klein, Director of Revenue and E-Commerce at Avease, an AI-powered virtual try-on and fit platform for fashion e-commerce brands. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in apparel sales, distribution, brand development and e-commerce, Mike explains why fit uncertainty remains one of online fashion’s biggest conversion challenges. Together, they discuss the true cost of returns, where the customer journey breaks down between search and sale, why many virtual try-on tools only solve half the problem, and how garment-specific sizing recommendations can help customers make more confident purchasing decisions. Whether you’re building a growing fashion brand or looking for ways to improve conversion and reduce returns, this conversation offers practical insights into the future of fit and fashion e-commerce.About Michael KleinMichael “Mike” Klein is the Director of Revenue and E-Commerce at Avease, an AI-powered virtual try-on and fit platform for fashion e-commerce.Before joining Avease, Mike spent more than a decade working in apparel sales, distribution and brand development, helping fashion brands grow across Canada and international markets. That experience gave him a firsthand view of the challenges brands face with sizing, returns, inventory and online conversion.At Avease, Mike works with fashion brands to improve fit confidence by helping shoppers understand how an item may look on them and which size is right for them before they buy. Mike is based in Toronto, Canada.Connect with MichaelWebsite: avease.aiLinkedIn: Michael KleinEmail: [email protected] TakeawaysGenerating traffic is only half the job. The customer journey can still break down on the product page when shoppers cannot answer one essential question: “Will this fit me?”Returns are often a symptom of uncertainty before the purchase. Inconsistent sizing, limited fit information and uncertainty about how a garment will look can cause customers to guess.Free returns may remove friction at checkout, but they can also encourage shoppers to order multiple sizes and decide what to keep later—creating a costly margin problem for brands.Many virtual try-on tools solve only half the problem. A visual without sizing guidance is still a guess, while a size recommendation without a visual may be difficult for the shopper to trust.Effective fit technology should combine a realistic visual experience with a recommendation based on the measurements of the specific garment—not a general brand or category size chart.Enjoyed This Episode?Follow the Chase Your Dreams Podcast so you never miss an episode. If you found this conversation helpful, please leave a review and share it with a fashion founder or e-commerce leader who would benefit from it.Connect with Glynis:Website: glynistao.comInstagram: @glynistaoLinkedIn: Glynis TaoUntil next time, keep chasing your dreams.

In this episode, Glynis Tao speaks with Ëmi Antal, founder of atëmier. Ëmi shares how building and scaling her activewear brand, Daquïni, across 26 countries changed the way she thinks about entrepreneurship, growth, and success. Together, they discuss how a founder’s capacity can become the ceiling for a company’s growth, why systems can protect rather than diminish a brand’s creativity, and how to build a profitable business that doesn’t depend on the founder for every decision. Ëmi also shares how stepping away from Daquïni led her to redefine her identity and create a business around the way she wants to work and live. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, preparing to scale, or questioning what success means to you, this conversation offers a thoughtful approach to building a more sustainable business without losing your brand’s soul.About Ëmi AntalËmi Antal is the Founder of atëmier, where she helps fashion and beauty founders grow sustainable, profitable businesses aligned with their strengths, values, ambition, and capacity.Before launching atëmier, Ëmi built and scaled the activewear brand Daquïni across 26 countries. That experience transformed the way she thinks about entrepreneurship, growth, and success. Today, her work sits at the intersection of founder psychology, operations, and brand strategy, helping founders create businesses that can grow without depending on them for everything.Ëmi also writes The Saturday Ritual, a weekly newsletter featuring reflections, insights, and practical tools for founders building their lives and businesses in greater alignment.Connect with ËmiWebsite: https://www.atemier.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiantal/The Saturday Ritual (newsletter): https://www.atemier.com/subscribeKey TakeawaysA founder’s personal capacity can become the ceiling for a company’s growth.A successful business doesn’t have to be big; it can be small, profitable, and supportive of the founder’s life.Founders should document not only what they do, but how and why important decisions are made.Systems and structure can protect a brand’s creativity, values, and customer experience.A perceived visibility problem may actually be an underlying positioning, profitability, or operational problem.Sustainable growth begins with defining how you want to work and live, and designing your business accordingly.Intuition is valuable, but founders also need to understand their financial, customer, and market data.Success means something different to every founder and should be defined on your own terms.Enjoyed this episode?If you enjoyed this conversation, I’d love for you to subscribe to the Chase Your Dreams podcast and leave a rating and review. It helps more fashion entrepreneurs discover the show.You can also connect with me:Website: https://glynistao.comInstagram: @glynistaoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glynistao/Until next time, keep chasing your dreams.

What happens when the business you've spent more than a decade building no longer fits the life you want?In Part 2 of my 30-year journey in fashion and entrepreneurship, I share how winding down my clothing brand, led to an unexpected career reinvention from fashion entrepreneur to founder of Chase Your Dreams Consulting and e-commerce growth strategist.I reflect on the setbacks and lessons that shaped that transition, how COVID accelerated my move into SEO and e-commerce, and why combining decades of fashion industry experience with SEO and AI visibility became my competitive advantage.I also explore how fashion e-commerce has changed over the past decade—from wholesale and trade shows to Shopify, live selling, virtual fit technology, on-demand manufacturing, AI agents, and agentic commerce.After 30 years in fashion, my biggest lesson is simple: keep learning and adapting, but don't chase every opportunity. Knowing when to let go, setting boundaries, staying grounded in your values, and defining success on your own terms are just as important as growth.About Glynis TaoGlynis Tao is the founder of Chase Your Dreams Consulting and a Fashion E-commerce Growth Strategist. With over 30 years of experience across fashion design, product development, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, ecommerce, and digital marketing, Glynis brings a business-first perspective to SEO and AI visibility.Today, she helps fashion, beauty, and lifestyle e-commerce brands become the brand search engines & AI recommend when customers are ready to buy.Through her consulting work and Chase Your Dreams podcast, Glynis is passionate about taking the mystery out of SEO, sharing practical business knowledge, and helping entrepreneurs adapt to a rapidly changing industrywithout losing sight of the fundamentals that make a business successful.Connect with GlynisWebsite: https://glynistao.comInstagram: @glynistaoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glynistao/Free Webinar: Designing for DemandOn September 24, join Glynis and product development expert Belinda Jacobs for Designing for Demand: How Fashion Brands Can Validate Demand Before Investing in Inventory.Learn how to validate customer demand before committing to inventory, avoid costly product development mistakes, think strategically about MOQs and margins, and start building visibility before your collection launches.Register here: https://go.glynistao.com/designing-for-demand

What does it really take to build a career that spans more than three decades in the fashion industry?In this special solo episode, I step out from behind the interviewer’s microphone and share my own story for the first time. From discovering a passion for sewing in high school to studying fashion design, working for iconic brands like Club Monaco and Reebok, surviving the fast-paced New York fashion scene, and eventually building my own clothing brand that landed Google as a client—this is the journey that shaped who I am today. This episode isn't just about career milestones. It's an honest look at the realities of working in fashion: the long hours, unexpected layoffs, entrepreneurial highs, industry disruption, and the difficult decisions that come with changing seasons of life.If you've ever wondered how I went from fashion product development to helping fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands grow through SEO and AI visibility, this is where the story begins.About Glynis TaoGlynis Tao is the founder of ⁠Chase Your Dreams Consulting⁠, and a Fashion E-commerce Growth Strategist. With over 20 years of experience in the apparel industry, Glynis is an expert in creative entrepreneurship and fashion business operations. Driven by a mission to empower and help her clients build e-commerce businesses that are purposeful and profitable, Glynis uses her industry experience to develop data-driven strategies. Beyond SEO consulting, Glynis is passionate about fostering a community of like-minded business owners. Through her Chase Your Dreams podcast, blog, and collection of free resources, Glynis provides guidance and inspiration for entrepreneurs striving to grow their brands. Connect with GlynisWebsite: https://glynistao.comInstagram: @glynistaoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glynistao/Join the Fashion SEO Visibility AcceleratorIf you're a fashion, beauty, or lifestyle e-commerce brand looking to increase your visibility across Google and AI search, learn more about the Fashion SEO Visibility Accelerator.Subscribe & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams and leave a rating and review. Your support helps more fashion founders discover the show.

In this episode, Glynis sits down with Christina Florencio, Founder of REVIVAL Colour Analysis Studio. Christina shares how a passion for vintage and a growing awareness of the environmental impact of fast fashion led her to pivot from running a vintage clothing store to building one of Vancouver's only dedicated colour analysis studios. Together, they discuss the power of colour analysis, why intentional shopping is the foundation of a sustainable wardrobe, how colour influences confidence and personal branding, and what fashion brands and retailers can do to help consumers make more thoughtful purchasing decisions. Whether you're a fashion entrepreneur, creative professional, or simply looking to build a wardrobe with greater purpose, this conversation offers practical insights into style, sustainability, and building a business around your values.About Christina FlorencioChristina Florencio is an Accredited Colour Analysis Educator, Slow Fashion Stylist, and Founder of REVIVAL Colour Analysis Studio in Vancouver.After spending years in the vintage fashion industry, Christina shifted her business toward helping people discover the colours that naturally enhance their appearance while encouraging more intentional shopping habits. Today, she works with individuals, groups, and corporate teams to educate people about colour psychology, personal style, confidence, and slow fashion.Connect with ChristinaWebsite: https://mainrevival.comInstagram: @revivalcolourstudioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revivalcolourstudio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@revivalcolourstudioYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@revivalcolouranalysisKey TakeawaysColour analysis helps people build a more intentional wardrobeSlow fashion starts with buying less, choosing better, and making thoughtful purchasing decisions.Sometimes your customers reveal your next business opportunity.Shopping your own closet before buying new clothes can help reduce waste and save money.Wearing the right colours can boost confidence, strengthen personal branding, and influence first impressions.Knowing your "why" helps guide business decisions and build a brand that aligns with your values.Enjoyed this episode?If you enjoyed this conversation, I'd love for you to subscribe to the Chase Your Dreams podcast and leave a rating and review. It helps more fashion entrepreneurs discover the show.You can also connect with me:Website: https://glynistao.comInstagram: @glynistaoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glynistao/Until next time, keep chasing your dreams.

In this episode, Glynis sits down with Adele Tetangco, entrepreneur, brand strategist, co-founder of Garmentory, and founder of Snack Size. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in fashion, technology, e-commerce, and marketing, Adele shares her journey from breaking into the fashion industry to helping build one of the first online marketplaces for independent boutiques and emerging designers. Together, they discuss what it takes to scale a fashion business, the importance of brand strategy and positioning, common marketing mistakes founders make, the role of community and relationships in business growth, and how AI is reshaping the future of marketing. Whether you're launching a new brand or growing an established one, this conversation offers valuable insights for navigating today's evolving fashion landscape.About Adele TetangcoAdele Tetangco is an entrepreneur, brand strategist, and community builder with more than two decades of experience at the intersection of fashion, technology, and business.She is best known as the co-founder of Garmentory, one of the first online marketplaces dedicated to connecting independent boutiques and emerging designers with customers around the world. Since then, Adele has co-founded multiple ventures, including et tigre and Snack Size, a creative collective that helps fashion and lifestyle brands grow through strategy, marketing, storytelling, and community building.Today, Adele also works as a fractional CMO, helping brands develop scalable marketing systems, build stronger teams, and create sustainable growth strategies.Website: Snack-SizeInstagram: @buddy_lembeckEmail: [email protected] strong relationships and community can be one of the most valuable growth assets for any entrepreneur.The ability to let go and delegate is essential for scaling a business.Many founders struggle because they lack a clear brand strategy and positioning.Not every marketing channel is necessary for every brand, focus on what is actually driving results.AI can accelerate analysis and efficiency, but human judgment, creativity, and context still matter.Continuous learning is essential in an industry that is constantly evolving.Successful founders understand that growth requires systems, processes, and the right people.

Topics Covered: Fashion SEO, AI Visibility, ChatGPT Marketing, Ecommerce Growth Strategy, Apparel Brand Marketing, Shopify SEO, Fashion Brand Growth, Customer Acquisition, Online Visibility, Fashion Entrepreneurship.Episode SummaryToday's episode wasn't the episode I had planned.After a client no-show and a last-minute guest cancellation, I considered calling it a day. But entrepreneurship has taught me that some of the most meaningful lessons come from the moments that don't go according to plan.So instead, I decided to turn a disappointing day into something useful.In this solo Q&A episode, I'm answering some of the most common questions I hear from fashion, beauty, and lifestyle founders. From competing against larger brands with limited budgets to getting discovered by ChatGPT and navigating the rise of AI search, these are the conversations I'm having every week with clients, podcast listeners, and founders in my community.I also share an exciting update about a new partnership that allows me to help brands beyond visibility and marketing by supporting sourcing, manufacturing, and operational growth as they scale.If you've ever wondered whether SEO still matters, how to attract your ideal customer, or where to invest your limited marketing budget, this episode is for you.In This Episode We Discuss:Why SEO is not just for big brands with large marketing budgetsHow small fashion brands can compete against industry giants organicallyWhat it takes to get your brand recommended by ChatGPT, Claude, and AI search toolsWhy SEO matters more than ever in the age of AIHow to prioritize a $10,000 marketing budget for maximum growthThe difference between traffic, visibility, and conversionHow to attract your ideal customer and nurture visitors who aren't ready to buy yetThe biggest growth mistake fashion brands are making right nowWhy trust is more important than trafficAn exciting announcement about Glynis's new global manufacturing partnershipAbout Glynis TaoGlynis Tao is the founder of Chase Your Dreams Consulting, an online marketing agency specializing in SEO services for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle e-commerce companies. With over 20 years of experience in the apparel industry, Glynis is an expert in creative entrepreneurship and fashion business operations. Driven by a mission to empower and help her clients build e-commerce businesses that are purposeful and profitable, Glynis uses her industry experience to develop data-driven strategies. Beyond SEO consulting, Glynis is passionate about fostering a community of like-minded business owners. Through her Chase Your Dreams podcast, blog, and collection of free resources, Glynis provides guidance and inspiration for entrepreneurs striving to grow their brands. Join the Fashion SEO Visibility AcceleratorIf you're a fashion, beauty, or lifestyle e-commerce brand looking to increase your visibility across Google and AI search, learn more about the ⁠Fashion SEO Visibility Accelerator.⁠Subscribe & ReviewIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Chase Your Dreams and leave a rating and review. Your support helps more fashion founders discover the show.

Fashion product development has traditionally relied on creativity, intuition, and trend forecasting. But in today's fast-changing market, those factors alone are no longer enough.In this solo episode, Glynis Tao shares how fashion brands can use search data as a strategic tool throughout the product development process. Drawing on her experience working with brands such as Reebok and Club Monaco, running her own apparel brand, and helping fashion e-commerce businesses improve visibility through SEO, Glynis explains why search behavior offers valuable insight into real customer demand before production begins.You'll learn how to use tools like Google Trends, Google Analytics, and SEMrush to identify emerging trends, validate product ideas, understand customer language, and reduce costly inventory mistakes. Whether you're developing a new collection, planning seasonal assortments, or looking to improve product-market fit, this episode will help you make more informed business decisions using data—not guesswork. About Glynis TaoGlynis Tao is the founder of Chase Your Dreams Consulting, an online marketing agency specializing in Search + AI Visibility for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle e-commerce companies. With over 20 years of experience in the apparel industry, Glynis is an expert in creative entrepreneurship and fashion business operations. Driven by a mission to empower and help her clients build e-commerce businesses that are purposeful and profitable, Glynis uses her industry experience to develop data-driven strategies. Beyond SEO consulting, Glynis is passionate about fostering a community of like-minded business owners. Through her Chase Your Dreams podcast, blog, and collection of free resources, Glynis provides guidance and inspiration for entrepreneurs striving to grow their brands. Key TakeawaysSearch data can be used before production begins to validate product ideas and reduce risk. Fashion brands can use customer search behavior to identify emerging trends before they become saturated. SEO is not just a marketing tool, it is a powerful customer research tool. Understanding the language customers use can improve both product development and marketing performance. Search insights can help brands make smarter inventory, merchandising, and production decisions. Combining creativity with data leads to stronger long-term business outcomes. Website: ⁠glynistao.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@glynistao⁠Start the free 5-Day SEO Visibility Accelerator ⁠https://go.glynistao.com/accelerator⁠Book a discovery call with me: https://tidycal.com/glynistao/book-a-call

Leah Yard shares her long journey to launching her jewelry brand. From growing up on an isolated lighthouse island to working entry-level jobs for years, Leah Yard has built a name for herself in the jewelry industry. She discusses how she overcame impostor syndrome, the realities of entrepreneurship that no one talks about, and the importance of establishing community and authenticity in a brand. This honest and eye-opening conversation is for budding entrepreneurs who want a real look into what it takes to build a successful brand.About Leah YardLeah Yard is the founder of Leah Yard Designs, a jewelry brand built on authenticity, resilience, and creative entrepreneurship. Leah had an unconventional path to entering the jewellery industry. After growing up on an isolated lighthouse island, dropping out of high school, and spending years working entry-level jobs, Leah took a leap of faith and launched her brand in 2013. Since then, Leah has become known not only for her designs, but also for her honest approach to entrepreneurship. Leah inspires founders to embrace their own unique journeys. As the host of the Voted Least Likely Podcast, she fosters candid conversations around mindset, success, and the emotional side of entrepreneurship, creating a space where entrepreneurs feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow both personally and professionallyContact Info:Website: https://leahyarddesigns.com/ Instagram: @leahyarddesignsLinkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/leah-yard-99255426aTikTok: @leahyarddesignsKey TakeawaysResilience isn’t about avoiding tough moments, but learning how to overcome themAuthenticity in your brand voice builds a strong connection with your audienceSuccess looks different for everyone; it’s up to you to define what it looks likeYour unique personal experiences and background is what differentiates you in the marketCommunity and customer feedback are vital to improving your brand