Joshua Kissi

On this week's episode of Handbag Designer 101 Podcast, we meet Rafael de la Vega, who used a single on-field embarrassment to become the spark for Salt Athletic. Rafael de la Vega’s patented cleat bag is designed for the athlete who uses it and the parent who buys it. In this episode, Rafael shares how early missteps with PR, broad targeting, and hype burned cash, and how a hard pivot—economics first, accelerator support, and factory access in Mexico and India—turned the company around. A near-dead runway led to a bold performance-ad strategy that paid for itself, and a key insight reshaped everything: the user is the player, but the buyer is the parent. See the link below to listen: https://lnkd.in/eBiuPkje

14

1 Comment

6 Tips for Styling Your Modeling Portfolio Presentation | MapsStudio NYC Want your modeling portfolio to make an unforgettable impact? MapsStudio NYC reveals 6 pro styling tips to elevate your presentation—everything from layout consistency and clean backgrounds, to smart wardrobe choices and image sequencing. Implement them and watch your portfolio turn heads. 👉 Read full article: https://mapsstudio.nyc/ #MapsstudioNYC #ModelingPortfolio #PortfolioStyling #ModelingTips #PresentationDesign #ModelLife #VisualBranding #PortfolioAdvice #FashionModels #PhotographyPresentation

1

How storytelling transformed Afrobeats into a multi billion dollar market and how you can apply the same strategies to your own ideas.

9

The secondhand market for fashion in the United States is booming, as 93 percent of consumers have purchased a secondhand item over the past year, according to the 2025 Recommerce Report by OfferUp in partnership with GlobalData, and Gen Z is reportedly at the forefront of this growth. Secondhand shopping has reached mainstream acceptance, with 70 percent of Americans reporting diminished negative perceptions over the past year. The resale market continues expanding, with 19 percent of consumers making their first-ever used purchase last year. Part of a broader growth within the 200 billion recommerce economy, secondhand fashion currently only accounts for 25 percent of the multicategory market. 

1

Guerrilla marketing works best when it feels intentional — not intrusive. For this activation at Ponce, we partnered with Anwuli Eyewear to execute a guerrilla marketing moment designed to integrate seamlessly into a high-traffic environment. From planning and product placement to on-the-ground execution and real-time decision-making, this activation required clarity, adaptability, and a deep understanding of how people move through space. I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes planning — including the steps and considerations — inside Patreon for those interested in applying guerrilla marketing strategies to their own brands.

6