The Overseas Manufacturing Lie You've Been Sold

There are a lot of opinions about where you should and shouldn’t manufacture apparel, but the truth is that no single region of the world is automatically good or bad for apparel production. What matters is finding the right manufacturing partner for your specific product, quantities, timeline, and business needs.   In this episode, I’m breaking down some of the biggest misconceptions about apparel manufacturing by region and talking about all the factors that should go into your decision about choosing a manufacturer. I’m also sharing a real example of a client project where we’ve run into unexpected sourcing challenges, even with 25 years of industry experience behind us.   ⏭️ Jump Into The Episode: 00:00 Manufacturing Region Myths 00:26 Good Factories Anywhere 02:42 Travel Rule for Sourcing 04:29 Regional Specialties: Wovens vs Knits 07:03 Domestic Limits and Scaling 10:14 Tariffs Shipping and Reality Check 13:05 Looking to Latin America 14:14 When Sourcing Gets Hard 15:50 Get Help and Join Community   There is no single best region for apparel manufacturing. The right choice depends on your product, your quantities, your sourcing needs, your timeline, and the manufacturing partner you’re able to find. I hope this episode gives you a more nuanced perspective on where apparel can be produced and reminds you that finding the right partner can make a huge difference for your brand in the long run.   ➡️ Your Next Steps: Reach out to me at hello@unmarkedstreet.com Subscribe to the Apparel Founder’s Boardroom Notes on Substack: substack.com/@businessofapparel Join The Board here: https://www.thebusinessofapparel.com/join Pre-order my book, The Business of Apparel, here! Pre-order the e-book version here!   ‼️ Don't Miss These Episodes: Wholesale 101: https://youtu.be/lpezH1YwCyE Use AI in Your Apparel Brand: https://youtu.be/Dn9tjPNmfaw Grow a 7-Figure Apparel Business: https://youtu.be/rpQYDyo5Rao    🤝 Meet Rachel: Rachel Erickson is a Fractional COO, Apparel Industr