The Truth About Fashion Business Finances + A Conversation with Novo Platform CEO Michael Rangel
Release Date: 02/14/2025
Funding Black Media is Non-Negotiable
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! In this episode, I’m talking about why funding Black media is absolutely non-negotiable. I’m unpacking how major fashion magazines rely heavily on advertising dollars—with over half of some issues filled with ads. But flip through those pages, and you’ll barely see Black-owned brands featured—or even Black faces in many of the campaigns. While I get that advertising keeps publications running, the reality is most Black brands don’t have $50,000 or $100,000 to spend on a single ad page. This lack of access fuels a bigger...
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Black Woman Realities in the Midwest Fashion Industry, How to Plan Social Media Content as a Fashionpreneur, and This Week’s Fashion Rant
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! In this episode, I’m sharing my experiences as a Black woman working in fashion in the Midwest—the lack of opportunities, the microaggressions, and why I’m not here to play the token role for anybody. I’m also walking you through how to plan out your social media content as a fashionpreneur. I’m talking brand pillars, figuring out what your audience wants to see, and how to use tools like ChatGPT without losing your own voice. And for AK’s Fashion Rant of the Week, I’ve got thoughts on Anna Wintour stepping down,...
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2025 Met Gala Recap – The Art & Missed Opportunities of Black Dandyism
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! In this episode, I'm diving deep into the 2025 Met Gala, unpacking this year's compelling theme: "Superfine", inspired by Monica Miller's exploration of Black dandyism. Join me as I candidly break down the hits, misses, and everything in between on fashion's biggest night. Here's what's inside: My honest thoughts on who beautifully embodied the "Superfine" theme—including Janelle Monae’s stunning "time traveler" concept, Tracee Ellis Ross’s bold historical homage, and André 3000’s brilliant nod to traveling musicians. ...
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5 Years Fired and Flourishing: How I’m Teaching Y’all How to REALLY Start in Fashion (2025 Version)
The Haute Guide
Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Can y'all already believe it's been 5 years since I got fired?! That moment is what pivoted my journey in fashion into the brand you know today - so I'm using that as the catalyst for the 2025 version on how to get your start in fashion! ✨ Mentioned in This Episode: 🇨🇳 How China’s tariffs and luxury factory tea are shaking up the entire fashion game (and what that means for small brands and consumers) 💰 Why it’s time to lock your spending down, find your community, and prepare for the financial storms ahead 👜 The real...
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The Truth About Fashion Business Finances + A Conversation with Novo Platform CEO Michael Rangel
The Haute Guide
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...
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Branding & Social Media Strategy for Fashionpreneurs Pt. 1
The Haute Guide
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. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 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...
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I Majored In My Hobby of Fashion & Made It Work, Can You Do The Same?
The Haute Guide
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 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...
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I Think I Found My Why In Fashion Again - Let's Talk About It
The Haute Guide
Welcome to (finally) episode 1 of the second season of The Haute Guide! I'm diving into my 7 month hiatus from the podcast and what has happened in the fashion industry to make me want to not be a changemaker or community builder, and what that means for my brand going forward! Make sure to subscribe, follow, share - and leave us a review on whereever you listen to The Haute Guide. Host(s) 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...
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SHEIN Just Acquiring Everything, Amazon Closes Its Style Stores, & My Icks About Shopping Being Plus Sized
The Haute Guide
Hey fashion friends! Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Today we're discussing: How in the hell SHEIN is able to buy everything when they have a pending RICO charge, specifically: We're also going to dive into my personal shopping icks as a plus sized woman, because it needs to be talked about! Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of The Haute Guide. Don't forget: Subscribe Rate 5 stars Share Follow me everywhere: Website ➭ Facebook ➭ Youtube ➭ Instagrams ➭
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My Reviews on H&M x Rabanne, KHY, Juliette Foxx x The Drop & How to Build A Fashion Brand
The Haute Guide
Hey fashion friends! Welcome back to another episode of The Haute Guide! Today we're discussing: My thoughts on (more impressed than I thought I would be) : IG Try On: Full Youtube Review: We're also going to dive into how to build a fashion brand. This is something I am going to dive deeper into for 2024 with the AK Brown platform and The Fashion Firm. Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of The Haute Guide. Don't forget: Subscribe Rate 5 stars Share Follow me everywhere: Website ➭ Facebook ➭ Youtube ➭ Instagrams ➭
info_outlineWelcome 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.
✨ Mentioned in This Episode:
💻 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
🎯 Your Homework:
📌 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
🔗 Stay Connected:
📲 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.