Earlier this year, following our other work across the fashion and textiles industry, we were asked to support the Evo Fashion programme as Brand & Communications mentors. Evo Fashion is four-month experiential programme for emerging fashion brands and fashion technology businesses. It takes a holistic approach to guiding early-stage businesses on strategy, environmental and social governance, communications, investment readiness and more – all with the goal of driving sustainable economic growth.
The Evo Fashion programme is delivered by Fashion District and Evo Learning. Fashion District is a hub for fashion innovation based in east London connecting fashion, technology, business and education to provide innovation networks, affordable space, business support and investment.
Designed to fit alongside founders’ work commitments, activities include an initial two-day intensive, masterclasses, expert 1:1s, peer-to-peer learning, and culminates in an industry showcase in 2026.
Westbrook delivered a full day workshop to the 29 strong cohort of founders in November, covering a range of brand orientated subjects, including brand touchpoints, storytelling and building digital ecosystems. Following the workshop day, a true highlight for us has been holding individual 1:1 sessions with all the founders to get to grips with some of the hurdles they are facing in building their brands, and offer our thoughts and advice on how they can tackle the challenges.
It has been a privilege to meet and talk to a truly passionate group of founders across a diverse range of businesses, from bespoke and ‘slow fashion’ to AI textiles technology and sustainable fashion solutions. What has become evident from all the meetings is that the founders are curious, not only about their audiences but about what they can learn from mentors such as ourselves and it’s this curiosity that is one of the most useful tools to have in a founder’s toolbox.
Why you don’t have to know everything to succeed, but you should be more curious
We’ve found that being a founder-owned business is often romanticised. From the outside, it looks like freedom, independence, and the thrill of building something from nothing. From the inside, it is far more complex. It can be lonely, demanding, and filled with decisions that carry consequences, not just for the business, but for the people whose livelihoods depend on it.
Founders are expected to be visionaries, operators, marketers, finance experts, people managers, problem-solvers, and strategists, often all at once. The reality is that very few people are naturally excellent at all of these things, but when we’ve quizzed them, many founders feel an unsaid pressure to act as though they should be. This is where the challenge begins.
Why not knowing everything is completely normal
No founder starts out knowing everything. The most successful founders aren’t the ones who know everything, but they are the ones who are are naturally curious. They identify what they don’t know and are confident enough to do something about it. Admitting uncertainty is not a flaw – it’s an early sign of founder maturity. The danger lies not in gaps in knowledge, but in ignoring those gaps and hoping to muddle through.
At Westbrook we show you the doors – knock, and you’ll find help behind them
As mentors we bring something founders cannot easily give themselves: perspective. We have seen the patterns before and recognise pitfalls earlier. We’ve spotted when a founder is solving the wrong problem, or when emotion is clouding judgement.
We don’t remove responsibility from the founder. We challenge assumptions, ask uncomfortable questions, and provide guidance without taking control or casting judgement. We help founders slow down when panic sets in and push forward when fear causes hesitation.
Crucially, we reduce isolation. Knowing you are not the first person to face these challenges and that others have navigated through them successfully is often as valuable as the advice itself.
Become a better founder: Be curious as a fox
Success as a founder is not about having all the answers from Day One. It is about having the curiosity to keep learning, the courage to ask for help, and the wisdom to listen when it matters.
Founder ownership is hard because it asks you to grow at the same pace as your business, often faster. There is a quiet confidence in knowing when to ask for help. In the end, the strongest founders are not those who stand alone, but those who understand that building something meaningful is rarely a solo journey.
Do we have all the answers at Westbrook? Definitely not, but we have 30+ years of experience working with businesses just like yours. We have the skills to shape your brand, the creativity to bring it to life, and know how to connect it with your audience. We listen intently and work with you on solving what’s challenging you.
This year we have worked as mentors with UKFT and Evo Fashion, and we look forward to building on these relationships into 2026. We’re also working with HUKM Launchpad as mentors, supporting their cohort of companies developing software solutions.
If you would like to know how we can mentor your business or work with you as Brand consultants, get in touch with Clive or Charlotte.