My Start-Up Story: Founder of The Fashion Impact Collective, Channelle Ross
Channelle Ross founded The Fashion Impact Collective to move beyond surface-level change and support brands in making sustainability a core part of their identity, creative direction, and long-term impact. Here’s how she’s doing exactly that.
My name is Channelle Ross, and I’m the founder of The Fashion Impact Collective, a new platform reimagining how sustainability is approached in the luxury fashion space. A sustainability strategy and support hub built specifically for small and mid-sized luxury fashion brands, The Fashion Impact Collective’s mission is to guide these brands through every stage of their sustainability journey, from early-stage exploration to embedding sustainability into their core operations.
We provide strategic tools, educational resources, and a curated community to make the process not only accessible, but inspiring. At our core, we exist to bridge the gap between sustainability ambition and confident, tangible action in the luxury fashion space.
The idea came to me during my first job after completing my Master of Science in Sustainability. I had just started as a Sustainability Manager and, almost immediately, I saw a familiar pattern: the company cared about sustainability. It wasn’t a matter of disinterest, but they didn’t have the tools, frameworks, or internal capacity to pursue it to its fullest potential. That disconnect sparked something in me.
It wasn’t just that company. I realised I’d seen this challenge across industries: values were present, but execution was missing. That’s when I knew there needed to be a new kind of support. One that met companies where they are, but elevated them into what they could become.
Sustainability and fashion, a match made in heaven
I chose fashion as my focus because it’s always been a deep personal passion. Growing up, I used to sketch dresses in my notebooks, attend modeling camp, and even sew my own Halloween costumes. Fashion has always been how I express creativity and emotion. And what I find so fascinating is how deeply fashion is tied to the world around us; to nature, art, politics, and personal identity. It draws from our environment constantly. So why shouldn’t it also give back?
With fast fashion under scrutiny and regulations like the EU Textile Strategy becoming more urgent, I saw a window of opportunity to create something transformational, a space where luxury fashion brands, especially those without massive ESG teams, could confidently take action. I built The Fashion Impact Collective as both a strategy engine and a community; where knowledge, creativity, and values come together.
My “why” is simple, but deeply rooted: I love both sustainability and fashion. I believe they belong together and that they are a match made in heaven. Fashion has always pulled inspiration from the planet, and now it’s time for fashion to help nourish and protect it in return.
In five to ten years, I see The Fashion Impact Collective as the global go-to hub for small and mid-sized luxury fashion brands who are ready to lead with sustainability. We want to be the trusted community for brands that are just starting out and for those scaling their sustainability efforts with depth and accountability.
My goal is to build a new culture of sustainability in fashion. One that doesn’t just revolve around certifications or reports, but around creativity, intention, and confidence. I want to create a space where sustainability feels empowering rather than intimidating, and where fashion brands become sustainability leaders because they want to, not just because they have to.
The freedom (and finance) of self-employment
I started my own business because I wanted freedom, not just financial or creative freedom, but the freedom to do things differently. I didn’t want to wait around for someone else to build what I could already envision. I knew there were brands out there struggling to figure out sustainability on their own. And I knew I had the ability, insight, and care to help them get there.
Interestingly, I was originally on a completely different path in medicine. I loved science and had planned to become a doctor. But over time, I realised that while I cared deeply about people and the planet, I needed more flexibility to create and innovate. Entrepreneurship gave me that and so much more.
Right now, I’m fully self-funded. That means I am every part of my team from marketing and business development to operations and finance. I’ve had to be resourceful and strategic with my budget, investing in the tools and systems that keep the business lean but strong.
My savings are keeping things afloat in these early stages, and I’m currently pursuing grant opportunities and aligned funding so that we can grow the business sustainably without compromising our values or vision.
The best financial advice I’ve ever received is hat money is like air; it comes and goes, and your mindset around it shapes how you experience it. That advice helped me move from fear to trust. It reminded me that I’m here to create value, not hoard safety. I now focus on smart decisions, yes, but also on alignment and abundance.
‘Education still favors traditional career paths’
As someone from the US, I can’t speak directly to the Irish education system and its support for entrepreneurship, but I will say that globally, education still favors traditional career paths. Entrepreneurship, especially mission-driven entrepreneurship, requires a different set of skills: emotional agility, visionary thinking, and resilience. These are rarely taught in classrooms.
I recently completed the LVMH Certificate Course in luxury branding and operations, which was a huge eye-opener. It helped me understand the inner workings of the luxury fashion world, and it confirmed what I suspected: sustainability isn’t a side conversation anymore, it’s a priority. Hearing that from within the industry gave me so much confidence that I’m in the right space at the right time.
Outside of that, my background is rooted in sustainability. I hold two degrees in the field including a Master of Science and I’ve applied that knowledge across industries. My education has shaped how I think, solve problems, and build systems with integrity.
Authenticity is everything
I have definitely experienced fear and doubt as an entrepreneur. My biggest doubt has been: “Will people see the value in what I’m building?” Because my company is so connected to my personal values, it feels vulnerable to put it out into the world.
But I remind myself that everyone starts somewhere, and I’m only 23. I don’t need to have everything figured out. I just need to take one clear step at a time. That shift in mindset from needing to be perfect to simply being in motion has helped me push through the fear.
Authenticity is so important to me as a business owner. I want people to show up as they are. That’s how we build real community and trust. I’m not here for surface-level networking or performative sustainability. I’m here to build something grounded, something meaningful. If we’re not being honest, we’re wasting time.
Ambition used to mean success and recognition. But now, for me, it means devotion to growth. It’s about showing up for your vision with discipline, heart, and purpose. Ambition isn’t about proving it’s about evolving.
Energy regulation is essential for me and my wellness. I go for walks, reflect, and intentionally release tension so I can stay clear and creative. My business can only grow if I’m grounded. So I build in practices that calm my mind and open space for inspired action.
Risk v reward
I take very calculated risks. I don’t act on impulse, I reflect, gather knowledge, and make intentional choices. But I also don’t let fear paralyse me. Being an entrepreneur has pushed me to act with more speed and confidence.
One risk I’m especially proud of was attending the Global Fashion Agenda Summit in Copenhagen. It was a big financial commitment, but the experience was priceless. The people I met leaders, changemakers, creatives made me feel like I truly belong in this space. It was life-changing.
The most rewarding risk I ever took has to have been moving to Ireland right after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh. It was a massive leap, leaving behind familiarity to pursue my dream of building a life and business in Europe. But it was the best decision I’ve ever made. It changed everything. It gave me space to become who I truly am.
When it comes to being a resilient entrepreneur, self-trust, emotional endurance, and the ability to navigate uncertainty without losing sight of your “why” are crucial. You have to be willing to learn in public, fail with grace, and keep showing up even when no one is clapping.
Work-life balance is achievable, but not in a day-to-day perfectionist way. It’s more about rhythms and seasons. Some periods are intense and require deep focus. Others allow space for rest and creativity. I listen to my energy and adjust accordingly. Balance isn’t about control, it’s about awareness.
Start messy. Start small. Just start
I dream of having a medium-sized team one that allows us to scale our support to more brands while staying close-knit and aligned. Culture is incredibly important to me. I want everyone on the team to genuinely believe in sustainability as a core value not just a business trend. When we’re aligned, we can grow in beautiful, unexpected ways.
Delegating doesn’t come naturally to me unless I feel that mental alignment with someone. But once that trust is there once I know we’re on the same page I’m very comfortable letting go. I believe in giving people space to lead. I just need to feel that shared vision first.
My favorite thing about running my own business is being back in fashion. It’s where my heart has always been from childhood sketches to designing my own costumes. To now be working in fashion, and doing it in a way that drives meaningful impact, feels like I’ve returned to my true self.
What I dislike most is marketing. It doesn’t come naturally to me, and I’ve had to work through a lot of discomfort around visibility. But I know that to build a business that helps people, I have to let people know I exist. So I’m working on building my voice.
My advice to someone just starting their own business? Stop waiting to feel ready. No one has it all figured out. Everyone you admire is still learning. Once I realised that, I let go of the idea that I had to be “qualified” to start. You don’t need to know everything. You need to be willing to learn everything. You become qualified by doing. Start messy. Start small. Just start.That mindset shift is what allowed me to begin, and to keep
going.
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