Manifesting Money, Finances for Founders, and Getting Dumb Rich with Ariel LaFond

Manifesting Money, Finances for Founders, and Getting Dumb Rich with Ariel LaFond

Author: Victoria Smith May 11, 2025 Duration: 45:51

Hello and welcome back to Fashion Founders The Podcast. My name is Victoria Smith, and this week I'm joined with Ariel LaFond. She is an CPA, a fractional CFO for small businesses,  and the writer of Dumb Rich on Substack. She is the coolest accountant I think I will ever talk to or meet, she offers a concierge financial service especially those who are self-employed influencers, founders. Ariel here has really tangible tips and starts from the foundations that you need on being smart and knowledgeable about your money. We also talk about we a money mindset, abundance, and manifesting money. If you are self employed this is full of answers to some most frequently asked questions on business expenses, retirement funds, taxes, budgeting, credit cards - we cover so many topics.  I loved talking to her because she had such an approachable, judgment-free way of answering all these questions. And she has so much knowledge, but really speaks the average person's language because sometimes financial stuff can get way over complicated and then people get really intimidated by it. I'm gonna let Ariel take it from here. So let's get into the episode!

*Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Please consult with your financial advisor or tax professional before making any financial decisions.


Follow Fashion & Founders:

Podcast IG: @fashionandfounders

Podcast Substack: Fashion and Founders

Podcast Website: fashionandfounders.com

Podcast TikTok: @fashionandfounders

Podcast LinkedIn: Fashion and Founders

Podcast YouTube: Fashion and Founders

Podcast Links: Shop My

Victoria Pickle Closet: @victorias

Locker Links: Locker


Follow Ariel:

Ariel IG: @ArielLaFond

Substack: Dumb Rich

Website: https://www.ariellafond.com/ 


Follow Rêves Jewelry:

Rêves IG: @revesjewelry
Website: https://www.revesjewels.com/ 


Thanks for listening! 


Ever wonder how a clothing line actually gets made or what it takes to build a brand from a sketch to a global name? Fashion & Founders The Podcast, hosted by Victoria Smith, pulls back the curtain on the entire process. This isn't about seasonal trends or red carpet looks; it's a deep exploration of the machinery behind the glamour. Each episode features candid, long-form conversations with the founders, investors, and operators who are actively building the future of apparel and wearables. You'll hear real stories about the hurdles of fundraising, the complexities of ethical manufacturing, the explosive growth of resale, and the practical application of AI in design. Victoria guides discussions that connect the dots between capital, technology, and creativity, covering essential topics from sustainability to career navigation within the business of fashion. Tune in for a grounded perspective on an industry in constant flux, where ideas meet execution. This podcast delivers substance for anyone curious about the foundational work that makes fashion function.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 89

Fashion & Founders The Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Business of Being an Influencer with Hannah Lizzy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:25
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Hannah Krohne, Hannah Lizzy on TikTok, a fashion creator who turned TikTok into a launching point for her career. Landing roles at David Yurman, Danielle and Alix in styling, and…
CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund: What It’s Really Like to be a Finalist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:46
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Ashley Moubayed, founder of Don’t Let Disco and a CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist. They discuss her journey from building the brand as a side hustle to becoming a full-time found…
OOTD: Viral Fashion Content Strategy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:43
In this episode, Victoria sits down with the team behind OOTD, one of the fastest-growing fashion media platforms capturing street style around the world. What began as candid outfit videos filmed on the streets of New Y…
Matilda Djerf: Behind the Brand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:38
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Matilda Djerf, the founder of Djerf Avenue, to discuss how she built one of the most recognizable aesthetics in modern fashion. They talk about launching a brand with strong value…
NYFW isn't "dead," but it is too expensive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:04
New York Fashion Week isn’t dead, but it is changing. In this solo NYFW recap, Victoria breaks down what felt different this season and how Fashion Week is getting too expensive. From major brands like Ralph Lauren and M…
Ganni Chief Sustainability Officer Lauren Bartley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:52
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Ganni’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Lauren Bartley. They discuss how the brand approaches sustainability and design, as they set trends rather than following them. Lauren unpack…
Copenhagen Fashion Week Trends and Takeaways [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:24
In this episode, Victoria recaps her experience attending Copenhagen Fashion Week from street style and behind-the-scenes access to the sustainability frameworks shaping the future of fashion. She breaks down what makes…
COVID Side Hustle to the Red Carpet: Undone by Kate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:13
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Kate March, founder and designer of Undone by Kate. She shares how a pandemic project became a made-in-New-York bespoke, bridal, and special occasion brand. Kate shares her path f…
Marina Larroudé: Reinventing the Footwear Business Model [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:26
In this episode, Victoria sits down with Marina Larroude, founder of Larroudé, to unpack how she built one of fashion’s fastest-growing footwear brands by rewriting the rules. Marina shares her journey from interning at…
Rebecca Minkoff: Building a Household Name Fashion Label [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:16
In this episode, Victoria sits down with designer and founder Rebecca Minkoff to break down what it really takes to build a fashion brand and keep it alive through industry curveballs. Rebecca shares how an internship le…