# Eileen Fisher: Eileen Fisher

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2017-11-06
- Length: 46m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-11-06-eileen-fisher-eileen-fisher

## Summary

Eileen Fisher, an introverted interior designer, explains how she overcame stage fright to launch her minimalist women's clothing brand with just $350 and no prior fashion experience. She details the rapid creation of her first 12-piece line in three weeks, the initial struggle to secure production funding through COD terms with boutiques, and her decision to keep the company private and employee-owned. Fisher also discusses the challenges of balancing motherhood with scaling the business, her loose leadership style, and her commitment to sustainability through the Green Eileen program.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-11-06-eileen-fisher-eileen-fisher#t=0) Introduction: Eileen Fisher and the Eileen Fisher Brand
- [2:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-11-06-eileen-fisher-eileen-fisher#t=172) Early Life and Design Inspiration from Japan
- [9:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-11-06-eileen-fisher-eileen-fisher#t=568) Conceiving the Brand and First Trade Show
- [18:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-11-06-eileen-fisher-eileen-fisher#t=1128) Overcoming Stage Fright and First Sales
- [23:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-11-06-eileen-fisher-eileen-fisher#t=1398) Bootstrapping Production and Financing
- [27:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-11-06-eileen-fisher-eileen-fisher#t=1620) Scaling to Department Stores and Managing Growth
- [31:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-11-06-eileen-fisher-eileen-fisher#t=1871) Leadership, Work-Life Balance, and Employee Ownership
- [42:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-11-06-eileen-fisher-eileen-fisher#t=2538) Postscript: Charlie Munford and Wild Boar Sausages

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Eileen Fisher (company)
- Chanel (company)
- Versace (company)
- Prada (company)
- H&M (company)
- Zara (company)
- Roy Yoshimura (other)
- Bloomingdale's (company)
- Saks (company)
- Nordstrom (company)
- Green Eileen (product)
- Charlie Munford (other)
- Louisiana Department of Agriculture (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [006: Customizable swimwear with Kelsey Duffy of Versakini](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-04-19-006-customizable-swimwear-with-kelsey-duffy-of-versakini) (Product Startup)
- [Founder Feature: Tabi and Meena Hoshmand of Tursh](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-11-14-founder-feature-tabi-and-meena-hoshmand-of-tursh) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [030: Launching a product with $500 and no industry knowledge, Josh Smith of Libertine Fragrance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-12-06-030-launching-a-product-with-500-and-no-industry-knowledge-josh-smith-of-liberti) (Product Startup)
- [024: Aligning passion & business with Terry Lin of Forever Home Blankets](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-25-024-aligning-passion-business-with-terry-lin-of-forever-home-blankets) (Product Startup)
- [Oddball's Path From Idea to Funding a Nationwide Target Launch](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-07-11-oddballs-path-from-idea-to-funding-a-nationwide-target-launch) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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