We were lucky to catch up with Krystal Lewis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Krystal, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I’m glad I started my business exactly when I did. Although I had already launched it, I wasn’t actively pushing for growth at the time.

The pandemic forced me out of the office, and like many, I was just waiting for things to return to normal. I was bored and missed designing, and about six months into the lockdown, it hit me: it might be a long time before I see the inside of an office again.

I started small, with just a website and an Instagram account, and to my surprise, three people found me organically. It’s funny now to think about—how did they even find me? Eventually, I made the right connections in the fashion industry and began receiving a steady stream of referrals.

If I had started earlier, I wouldn’t have built the network I now rely on, or gained the 15 years of industry experience I use every day. If I had started later, I would have missed out on the massive opportunities created by people stuck at home, looking to start clothing brands during the lockdown. In the end, I didn’t choose when I started my business, but I’m so glad I started when I did.

Krystal, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Krystal Lewis, and I bring 17 years of industry experience with top corporate leaders in Dallas, including Bioworld, Pinpoint Merchandising, Mad Engine, and Haggar. I’ve also visited respected garment manufacturers in Mexico and China, giving me a well-rounded understanding of global production processes.

Like many, I started as an aspiring designer with no clue how to launch a clothing line. With a design degree and sheer determination, I worked my way up from design assistant to managing an entire design team before founding my own company, Black Unicorn Merchandising.

If you’ve found me, chances are you’ve tried to start a clothing line and realized—this is hard. Maybe a manufacturer turned you away because you weren’t ‘ready.’ Whether you’re just starting out or seeking expert guidance, I’m here to set you up for a successful design journey.

At Black Unicorn, we start with trend research to maximize your designs’ marketability. We then create detailed computer illustrations and professional tech packs, ensuring your ideas are production-ready. From there, we oversee sampling to make sure your prototypes are perfect before moving forward.

Ethical sourcing is key to our process, and we only work with vetted, reputable manufacturers across the globe. When you place an order through Black Unicorn, we manage the entire manufacturing process with a trained QC team on-site to ensure quality and transparency.

Black Unicorn Merchandising is a boutique apparel design agency specializing in custom design, ethical sourcing, and low-minimum manufacturing. We’re a dynamic team of fashion experts, passionate about delivering top-tier garments that capture your brand’s unique vision. Whether you’re a startup needing hands-on support or an established label looking to streamline your process, we’re dedicated to bringing your apparel ideas to life.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first started out, I had the mindset of ‘I can do anything for anyone!’ but that led to taking on too many unprofitable projects. Now, I’ve refined my focus and target a specific type of client. I’ve also sharpened my processes to identify and avoid mismatched projects much earlier.

One story that stands out involves a client who wanted to create high-end boutique children’s wear. I undercharged because I didn’t want to lose the client. Then, partway through the project, I realized my factory had significantly overpromised their capabilities. While I could design the product, I didn’t have a reliable factory to produce it. This led to a broken promise and a very unhappy client. I learned from it and grew from it so it was by no means a loss.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

First, I make sure my team feels heard. I ask for their feedback and give them room to explore their creativity. I’m often surprised by what they come up with when I allow them to design without too many restrictions. I believe the ‘two ears, one mouth,’ principle (listen more, talk less) is a 2 way street.

I also respect their time and the fact that they’ve chosen to work with me. I don’t hold long, unnecessary meetings and I very intentionally assign tasks that can be completed on their own time. I ensure the tasks align with their strengths, setting them up for success. If a project doesn’t fit their skill set, I either pass on it or handle it myself.

Lastly, I never assume what they do or don’t know—I always ask. I never belittle anyone for what I know or for what they might not. Every member of my team is a unique kind of rock star, and I appreciate each of them for their individual strengths.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackunicornmerch.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackunicornmerchandising/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalraquel/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7UXZdtvSaUjbTZAaV0yXTw
• Other: https://linktr.ee/BlackUnicornMerchandising

Image Credits

Leyla June Photography