Ep 292 | Ripley Rader

Written By Yasmin Nouri

"I Don't Play the Comparison Game... I Don't Get Distracted by That": Ripley Rader on the Top Lessons Learned from Her 10-Year Overnight Success Story

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Ripley Rader is the founder and CEO of Ripley Rader, a dynamic and innovative apparel company dedicated to creating stylish, high-quality clothing.

Ripley started her career performing on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles, never imagining she would one day start a clothing brand. While working multiple jobs to make ends meet in LA, she continued making her own outfits out of necessity because it was what she could afford. What began as a personal hobby turned into a life-changing opportunity when she wore one of her handmade jumpsuits to a concert, where a buyer from Fred Segal noticed her design. This chance encounter launched her fashion brand, which has since gained a reputation for its inclusive, stylish, and comfortable pieces, especially their viral pants. Her clothing has been embraced by celebrities like Amy Schumer and Gigi Hadid and is proudly made in America, with a focus on using high-quality fabrics that ensure a perfect fit and long-lasting wear.

In this week’s episode, Ripley shares the early challenges of growing her brand, from celebrating small wins like selling 20 units a week to managing the business as it skyrocketed many years later. She emphasizes the importance of separating your identity from your business success, staying true to your mission and authentic self, and avoiding the comparison game in entrepreneurship. Ripley also talks about the freedom that comes with pushing past fears and limiting beliefs, and how she’s stayed true to her brand in the ever-changing world of fashion. She discusses her biggest business challenges, why she doesn’t believe in competition, and the importance of finding personal fulfillment in life and work, versus chasing external markers of success—and so much more.

Show Notes:

  • The power of not knowing and not being the “expert” when starting a business. [02:54]

  • Life before entrepreneurship: Working in Broadway. [11:31]

  • How Ripley self-funded the business. [17:45]

  • How Ripley deals with “no’s” and rejections. [22:29]

  • The biggest challenges faced in the business. [27:05]

  • Starting a business and making sacrifices. [29:23]

  • Realities of being a founder. [32:07]

  • Nine years of building the brand and what went into it. [36:38]

  • Pivoting during the pandemic. [38:00]

  • Investing in marketing. [39:30]

  • The success of the “viral pants”. [42:03]

  • The challenge of scaling. [48:45]

  • The importance of defining success on your own terms. [54:55]

  • How to get clear on what you really want. [56:42]

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Ep 291 | Dr. Tanda Cook and Dr. Katie Collier