LIKE-MINDED WOMEN IN BUSINESS: Lessons on Product Launch Strategy, Brand Growth & Breaking Into the Fashion Industry
WORDS BY NFC STUDENT, SASHA BRIDGES
If there’s one thing the LMBDW 2026 Event proved, it’s that when ambitious women get in the same room, big ideas follow.
Attending the LMBDW 2026 Event was one of those events that reminds you how powerful fashion, business and community can be when they meet in the same room. As part of my internship for the day I helped behind-the-scenes, supporting VIP guests and assisting with the flow of the event, from welcoming and serving attendees to managing small details throughout the event. Experiencing both sides of the event gave me a real insight into the fast-paced world behind large brand activations and how much coordination and teamwork it takes to create an experience that feels effortless for all of the participants/attendees.
One of the standout sessions came from Jesse Marshall of Hive HQ, who broke down what actually goes into a successful product launch. She explained how "a launch isn’t a single moment, it’s a series of strategic touchpoints" and that great launches are built across three stages: pre-launch, launch and post-launch. Before a product even hits the market, brands need to be crystal clear on who their customer is and what problem they’re solving. Jesse mentioned that consumers often need to see a brand around ten times before they trust it enough to buy, which is why influencer partnerships, media pitching and product seeding are so important early on.
Launch day itself isn’t about a single viral moment either. Instead, brands need to create multiple moments (influencer content, authentic product usage, media coverage and event-driven content) all happening at once to build visibility and excitement.
Jesse explained that brands should review results within the first week, analyse the media response and find ways to turn one win into multiple touchpoints to keep the momentum going post launch.
Another highlight of the day was hearing from Founder of Showpo, Jane Lu, who shared the refreshingly honest story behind building her brand. Before Showpo became a success she had already experienced several business failures - something she spoke about openly and without sugar-coating. She stated "You learn business by actually doing business”, explaining that Showpo’s growth came from constant experimentation. When traditional marketing wasn’t an option, she leaned heavily into social media (something that felt unconventional at the time but ultimately became one of the brand’s biggest growth drivers).
She also emphasised that product-market fit is non-negotiable and that founders shouldn’t get too attached to their first idea. Instead, the real focus should always be the customer and being willing to pivot when something isn’t working.
Walking away from the experience, I felt incredibly inspired by the energy in the room and the honesty from the speakers. Events like this are a reminder that success in fashion and business rarely comes from playing it safe. It comes from trying things, learning quickly, taking risks and building momentum along the way.
SEE MORE FROM THE EVENT: