If these designers were starting their brands again in 2026, this is what they’d do differently:

Maximilian Raynor: Cold pitch. The biggest opportunities don’t always come to you – sometimes you have to ask.

Priya Ahluwalia: Think earlier about trans-seasonal commercial pieces that can sell repeatedly.

Christopher Shannon: Don’t obsess over selling loads of clothes – think about how your point of view can be employed and monetised.

KNWLS: Learn what it actually means to run a creative business from the beginning.

Story mfg: Track every penny – the small bills, subscriptions, coffees and purchases add up.

Sinéad O’Dwyer: Put your energy where it will give you the most back.

Emma Hill, Damson Madder: Talk through your fears with a mentor or another founder before they start to paralyse you.

Clio Peppiatt: Community matters, but without a good product, it won’t stand the test of time.

Phoebe English: You don’t have to build your brand in London – or through wholesale.

Daniel Gayle, Denzilpatrick: Forget traditional wholesale and build directly for your customers.

Harri: Take your digital footprint seriously from the start.

Natasha Zinko: Learn to change direction quickly and accept reality as it shifts.

Marie Lueder: Find someone to help with the business side so you can focus on design and creative direction.

Luke Derrick: Don’t rush out of fear – slow, sustainable growth usually leads to better decisions.

Sinead Gorey: Build the business structure earlier; creativity alone isn’t enough.

Isabella Weatherby, Peachy Den: Start with the customer, not the product.

Foday Dumbuya, Labrum: Control cash flow, contracts and partnerships early – vision alone won’t protect the business.