8 Sustainable Clothing Line Success Stories [2024]
Starting a sustainable clothing company can seem like a daunting task, but with the right skills and resources in place, it doesn't have to be. And thanks to more and more technologies becoming available there is a greater chance of success than has ever been had before.
The sustainable clothing market shrunk from $6.35B in 2019 to $6.14B in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impact. But the sustainable clothing market size will keep growing in the coming years, Experts predict it will reach $8.25B by 2023.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a sustainable clothing line:
1. Minimalism Brand ($216K/year)
Pepe Martín, co-founder of Minimalismbrand, came up with the idea for the business by wanting to create a brand focused on developing useful, sustainable, and quality products for daily use. With his experience in developing brands and running a small agency, Pepe saw an opportunity to change the way people buy and think about design. Starting with just 2000€, Minimalismbrand has now grown to make 200K per year and has plans for expansion, focusing on the European market and launching new products.
How much they make: $216K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
Current team size: 3
Minimalismbrand is a sustainable and durable clothing brand that has achieved $200k in annual revenue after starting with just €2k, focusing on quality over quantity, and prioritizing transparency through showing their numbers and production process.
2. IndieGetup ($96K/year)
Brandon Dendas, the co-founder of IndieGetup, came up with the idea for the fashion discovery platform while searching for a directory or platform that listed small, innovative clothing brands. Failing to find one, he and his co-founder decided to create IndieGetup as a centralized location for people to discover and shop for alternative clothing brands that align with their lifestyle and support their local economy. The platform now generates $5,000 per month in revenue through various channels such as sponsored content, giveaway promotions, and affiliate sales.
How much they make: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $289
Current team size: 0
IndieGetup, a fashion discovery platform garnering $5,000/mo. in revenue through sponsored content, giveaway promotions, B2C & B2B affiliate sales, helps emerging, consciously-driven, and local apparel brands gain exposure, generated by its founders' passion for finding innovative, emerging, alternative clothing brands that align with people's lifestyles and local economies.
So... can you actually make money with a sustainable clothing line?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Hippy Feet ($1.06M/year)
While studying at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, the founder of Hippy Feet, Michael Mader, suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him unable to work and provide for himself. Inspired by the support he received from his friends and family during his recovery, he decided to start a business that could act as a support group for individuals experiencing homelessness. This led to the creation of Hippy Feet, a sock and apparel company that provides transitional employment to homeless youth.
How much they make: $1.06M/year
How much did it cost to start: $30K
Current team size: 2
Hippy Feet, a Minneapolis-based sock and apparel company, has created jobs for over 160 individuals experiencing homelessness with a 6-month job readiness program and has grown 2020 revenue by 156% over 2019, using sustainable materials and practices while providing sales of custom, branded socks and apparel.
4. Faerie's Dance ($204K/year)
Adrienne, the founder and CEO of Faerie's Dance, came up with the idea for her sustainable fashion business after struggling to find eco-friendly clothing for herself. Recognizing the lack of options in the market, she decided to create an online store that brings together the best eco-brands in one place. The business has since grown, with organic cotton bras becoming their signature product, and they now generate an annual revenue of $65k - $75k.
How much they make: $204K/year
How much did it cost to start: $50K
Current team size: 2
This eco-fashion case study showcases a sustainable clothing company that generates an adjusted gross income ranging between $65k - $75k per year and has over 13,000 newsletter subscribers, predominantly focused on ethical, eco-friendly clothing, lingerie, jewelry, and accessories.
So... can you actually make money with a sustainable clothing line?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Oliver Charles ($300K/year)
Slater McLean, the co-founder of Oliver Charles, was inspired to create eco-friendly sweaters made from seaweed and Yak wool after growing up in the mountains of Colorado and experiencing the need for durable, high-performing clothes that were also sustainable. Through their research, they discovered the properties of Yak wool and decided to build a sustainable company that offered versatile, high-quality sweaters. Since launching their first sweater on Indiegogo in 2020, they have doubled the size of their business each year without any outside investment.
How much they make: $300K/year
How much did it cost to start: $20K
Current team size: 0
Oliver Charles, a sustainable sweater company made from seaweed and yak wool, has doubled their business since launching their first sweater on Indiegogo in 2020 with no outside investment, and plans to personalize their products like ordering a burrito.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
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- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
