Bella+Canvas, Los Angeles, launched FAM 2.0, the second iteration of content for its online course, Fashion Apparel Masterclass (FAM). FAM 2.0 includes video lessons on three new relevant topics, along with interactions, downloadable resources and customer-ready selling tools.
“The promotional industry is constantly changing,” said Summer Barry, creative and marketing director for Bella+Canvas. “Which is why we designed FAM—to be a resource for the current problems sellers face.”
The content addressed in FAM 2.0 was a response to the feedback the community shared.
“We asked the FAM community what information they were hungry for and let that drive the content,” Barry added.”
The new module includes an update on dynamics affecting the promotional products industry, a crash course on the difference between premium and faux-premium garments and a look at why all premium brands aren’t created equal. Since the launch of FAM in January 2019, the program has acquired an active roster of 3,500 industry professionals.
“I felt like I was in a graduate-level class in marketing, sales and innovation,” said Donna Bender, owner of Plano, Texas-based Donna Bender Co. “I’m confident that anyone who goes through this free program will feel the same way.”
According to a recent survey of FAM-certified members, 75 percent reported an increase in apparel sales, and 80 percent said the course resulted in them successfully up selling customers from carded open-end garments to premium ones, with better margins.
It’s not just promotional distributors that see the value of this educational platform. Suppliers such as S&S Activewear, alphabroder, SanMar and Staton have all achieved FAM Partner status as a result of an 80 percent-plus certification rate across their entire sales organizations.
“The FAM program has been a great tool to help educate our team on the nuances of selling fashion apparel in the imprintable marketplace,” said Matt O’Connor, vice president of sales at S&S Activewear.
Members of the PPAI education program can receive CAS credits for completing the Fashion Apparel Masterclass. The program is open to anyone in the decorated apparel industry, and is free to join.
For more information on FAM, visit www.famasterclass.com. For more information on Bella+Canvas, visit www.bella.com.
