
ABOUT US
Guided Makers is your premier fashion startup consultancy for apparel development, offering decades of combined industry expertise across product creation, brand strategy, and supply chain management.
As leaders in the field, we empower emerging clothing brands with tailored business strategies and high-quality product development—helping founders navigate the complexities of the fashion industry with precision and confidence.
We specialize in working with serious apparel entrepreneurs who are ready to build and scale. Whether you're launching a sustainable fashion startup, refining your product line, or seeking expert guidance to grow your brand, our consultancy delivers personalized, one-on-one support - not generic courses or memberships.
At Guided Makers, every engagement is built on collaboration, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive market. From concept to production, we help you make informed decisions that drive growth and elevate your brand.
Trust Guided Makers to guide your clothing line from launch to scale with clarity, excellence, and results.
HOW WE STARTED
FOUNDER, RACHEL BATTARBEE
Having worked in global corporate functions and settings with brands such as LL Bean, Marks & Spencer, and Timberland, Rachel took a leap into consulting when friends, and friends of friends were seeking her out for help in bringing their ideas to market. Rachel was quickly learning that for many new to the industry, it's a challenging space to navigate and connections and knowledge are key. In addition, Rachel realized she loved to teach and share her expertise with others to allow them to be successful.
Rachel's mission soon became one to guide and teach through the development cycle of product - from concept through to production while at the same time, bringing the product to market through collaboration with clients. In turn, preparing new entrepreneurs to be confident and empowered in product development as they launched their brands.
Fast forward a few years and Guided Makers has grown to become a more holistic approach for entrepreneurs and existing brands from Maine and beyond. Guided Makers can take your idea and work with you to drive success; beginning with leadership in business planning through to efficient and organized execution. At every step, driving empowerment to make thoughtful, strategic decisions. We make it possible for brands of all sizes to bring their visions to market successfully and responsibly.
With over 20 brands to date supported with a wide range of services such as defining brand identity, product design, product development and manufacturing, Rachel is excited to work with many more and share in their success.
Learn more about Rachel here.
Meet the Team
-
Carrie Hayward
MERCHANDISING/ PRODUCT
Leveraging a strategic and analytical approach to product management, Carrie has a consistent record of driving growth and profitability in the soft goods and hard goods categories. Carrie is an accomplished product leader with 15+ years of experience in merchandising, product management, product development, and operations spanning direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and retail channels.
As an experienced Multi-Channel Merchandiser, Carrie is highly skilled in market trend analysis, building seasonal merchandising strategies, product assortment planning and optimization, sales analysis, life cycle management, product testing, and project management.
-
Sam Murphy
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
Sam graduated from Maine College of Art and Design in 2023 with a Bachelors in Fine Art with a focus in Textile and Fashion Design. Their work focuses on empowerment of the self with a focus in corsetry and intimate apparel. Her experience lies mostly within pattern drafting, construction, and textile design so she is excited to branch out into the world of production. She looks forward to getting hands on experience in product development and to see what goes into starting a brand, and making ideas come to life. Aside from work Sam also enjoys baking, painting, and spending time with her two cats.
-
Product Teams
DESIGN/TECHICAL DESIGN/BRANDING
At Guided Makers we leverage the best talent nationwide and across the globe. We create custom teams based on your product and business needs.
This allows you to focus on your business and leave the management and talent to us!
Client Highlights
Business Achievements and Associations
Our Clients