Podcast Summary: Escaping the Drift with John Gafford

Episode: Empowering Fashion – Elizabeth Solomeina's Journey from Designer to Retail Innovator

Date: October 21, 2025
Guest: Elizabeth Solomeina, Co-founder & Managing Director of Flying Solo
Host: John Gafford

Episode Overview

In this episode, John Gafford delves deep with Elizabeth Solomeina, the visionary co-founder of Flying Solo—a New York/Paris-based retail collective revolutionizing the fashion landscape for independent designers. Elizabeth shares her personal journey from jewelry designer to retail innovator, explores how Flying Solo empowers creatives in a challenging industry, and provides concrete wisdom for entrepreneurs seeking to turn passion into business success. The episode is packed with honest anecdotes, strategic insights about scaling unique ventures, and candid discussion about the realities of funding, teamwork, and industry disruption.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origin and Concept of Flying Solo

Timestamps: [03:35]–[08:38]

• Elizabeth started as a jewelry designer and noticed a gap for independent brands stuck at the "mid-sized" stage, struggling to reach the next level due to high barriers in retail, press, and runway access.
• Flying Solo launched in 2016 in NYC to provide an alternative path:
  • Lower risk, no huge wholesale orders or expensive store buildouts
  • Direct access to consumers and flexibility for designers
• Unique Model: Membership-based retail, not traditional consignment. Designers pay a monthly fee for space and infrastructure, retaining flexibility over their collections.

Quote:
"The biggest power for an independent brand comes in flexibility. You need to be able to experiment with your collection… So we created exactly that."
— Elizabeth, [07:15]

2. Curated Community & Quality Control

Timestamps: [09:42]–[12:27]

• Flying Solo maintains standards through an application and curation process (not open-consignment).
• Prioritizes a diverse range of designers, from emerging to established (20+ years in business), all tested before entry.
• The selection process ensures both brand fit and client experience.

Quote:
"While everybody can apply, obviously not everybody will get in… We pride ourselves on creating a very diverse lineup."
— Elizabeth, [09:56]

3. Business Model & Mentorship

Timestamps: [14:13]–[16:14]

• Designers pay for business development, not just shelf space ("fractional COO/CMO" per John).
• Flying Solo handles merchandising, PR, web presence, and customer interface.
• Mentorship is about learning by osmosis—designers see firsthand how to sell, present, and interact with press/clients.

Quote:
"We mentor by example. Little by little, seeing how we do it, they will learn… that’s a very good part of mentoring."
— Elizabeth, [15:55]

4. Retail vs. Online and Building Consumer Trust

Timestamps: [16:21]–[18:11]

• In-person boutiques remain crucial—customers want to physically see, touch, and trust the quality (fit, sizing, delivery certainty).
• Flying Solo acts as both discoverability and trust-layer for unknown brands; success in-person often drives future direct online sales.

Quote:
"We are a discovery place for young brands. Client and brand build trust."
— Elizabeth, [17:54]

5. Scaling, Growth, and Collaborations

Timestamps: [23:56]–[29:35]

• Flying Solo began with organic collaboration among 10 designers pooling clients and resources.
• Early pop-ups proved the model; scaling required finding an investor for permanent space and subsequent expansion.
• Emphasis on collaboration was radical in 2016, especially for the fashion industry.

Quote:
"In any creative field, it's all about collaboration... For us as creatives, it's really weird to be by ourselves."
— Elizabeth, [27:36]

6. Investment, Ownership, and Growth Challenges

Timestamps: [30:31]–[36:06]

• The initial permanent store needed significant funding—one major investor joined via a personal connection.
• Elizabeth candidly warns entrepreneurs about taking investor money: "You have a boss now."
• Paris expansion required new investment and highlighted cultural/operational challenges ("not everybody thinks like Americans do!").

Memorable Exchange:
John: "Did you have a business plan, did you have projections, or was this someone who just believed in you?"
Elizabeth: "Believed in me because we worked together on previous projects… The assumption was I’m capable of pulling off complicated things."
[32:01]

7. Mission, Impact, and Giving Back

Timestamps: [36:54]–[43:31]

• Next major initiative: Flying Solo Awards in June 2026, elevating the unseen contributors in fashion (makeup artists, stylists, etc.).
• The event is nonprofit—a testament to Flying Solo’s commitment to industry change over mere expansion.
• Growth for growth's sake is not the priority; now "digging deeper with better connections."

Quote:
"When you’re in a position of power and you can give young talent an opportunity, you just must do it."
— Elizabeth, [40:49]

8. International Expansion & Cultural Nuance

Timestamps: [43:42]–[46:06]

• Expansion teaches the importance of understanding local culture—French business values quality of life and work-life balance, not just profit.
• Success comes from hiring high-skill managers and adapting, not imposing U.S. business norms abroad.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You're a test kitchen for fashion." — John Gafford, [09:02]
• "I was about to give up... But when you put it in front of the right people and they start [buying], you realize there is a following." — Elizabeth, [22:25]
• "If you have money on your own, do that. Investor thing—you basically have a boss now." — Elizabeth, [32:58]
• "Is it more about art, or is it about business?"
  "It's business." — John & Elizabeth, [40:58]
• "I believe we attract a lot of really great talent… We always give extra opportunities to people." — Elizabeth, [46:32]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Elizabeth’s Background & Need for Flying Solo: [03:35]–[05:32]
• Store Model & How it Works: [06:08]–[08:38]
• Membership, Curation, and Application Process: [09:42]–[12:27]
• Mentorship & Business Development: [14:57]–[16:14]
• Physical vs. Online Retail: [16:21]–[18:11]
• Mission & Impact, Flying Solo Awards: [36:54]–[43:31]
• International Expansion & Learning: [43:42]–[46:06]

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• Fashion entrepreneurship is about continuous experimentation, learning by doing, and building both community and credibility.
• Building a transformative business requires collaboration, often before it’s accepted by the mainstream.
• Be strategic—test, probe the market, and don’t overcommit resources before demand is proven.
• Growth for impact: Expansion should be mission-driven, not just for scale’s sake.
• Giving back and building genuine industry connections pays dividends far beyond profit.

"If you have a passion about something, you can absolutely turn it into a business if you just get with the right people, focus on the right things, and always, always, always test before you spend a bunch of money."
— John Gafford, [48:26]

Find Flying Solo:
Instagram: @flyingsolonyc
NY Store: 419 Broome St, SoHo, New York
Paris Store: 43 Rue Etienne Marcel, Paris