Jackie Wilson is the Proprietor and President of American Fashion Network. American Fashion Network is a global apparel design and manufacturing company with employees in two states and three countries. Jackie founded the company in 2005, and has led her team to achieve award-winning growth over the past five years. The company’s Speed to Market model, offering fast fashion to America's top mid-tier retailers, brings a host of solutions to the changing landscape in the fashion industry. Jackie started in the retail industry at age 16, and has been in the business 40 years, supplying private-label apparel for retail brands like Kohl’s, American Eagle, and JC Penney.
How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
I had to do everything on my own. I moved out of the house at 18, and earned my independence. There were times where I didn’t know how I was going to put gas in the car, but it gave me the guts, and later, the confidence, to lead an organization.
How has your previous employment experience aided your tenure at American Fashion Network?
I threw myself headfirst into this industry. I packed everything I owned and drove from Orange County, California to New York City. It was challenging, but for 8 years I worked for an all-male family business. I worked 12-18 hours a day and 6 days a week. My boss taught me a lot and he had the ability to push to the brink.
Every time I began to feel comfortable in my role, he challenged me again. It really brought out a very competitive side of me. That’s something that has remained with me to today.
What have the highlights and challenges been during your tenure at American Fashion Network?
I have really enjoyed and cherished the opportunity to shape and develop raw, but motivated talent. I have some real contributors on my team that have grown so much.
Like any business, the challenge was financing in my early years. There were times where I was struggling to make payroll. I also made some early mistakes with business partnerships and I trusted the wrong the people. But that’s business. Every entrepreneur has these stories.
What advice can you offer to women who want a career in your industry?
Don’t approach business with a chip on your shoulder. Be a businesswoman. Work hard. Be fair and discerning. To lead an organization, you have to have the guts to follow your instincts.
The best way to be equal in a company is to make yourself equal.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career to date?
Trust but verify.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
There is not a hard science for me. I burn hard, and then simply unplug. I value my friendships and my family, but it took years to get there. I have learned how to unplug. I wish I learned this earlier in life.
What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?
Balancing the business and raising children is enormously difficult. I always tell people, my family and my children were the biggest investors to my businesses.
Working moms deal with a significant degree of guilt. It’s hard to get on a plane for a meeting when its picture day and you’re not sure who is going to do your daughter’s hair.
I recently went through some old travel invoices and was shocked at how much a traveled. My family gave a lot to this company.
How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal life?
It takes a lot courage to reach out and ask for help. You have to find to someone you trust…Someone who can help get you to next level. Mentorship is like continuing education.
Its something every entrepreneur needs to embrace. There is always more to learn and there is always a different way or looking at an issue.
Which other female leaders do you admire and why?
I admire Sheryl Sandberg. I appreciate her story and her background. I don’t agree with everything she says, but I respect her.
What do you want American Fashion Network to accomplish in the next year?
My industry is about speed to market. Our mission is to provide quality apparel products from concept to shelf in a matter of weeks. We supply retailers like Kohl’s, JC Penney and American Eagle. In addition to growth, I would like be at 100% in terms of on-time deliver with zero quality issues. It’s difficult in our industry, but possible.