Ep.85-Bootstraps and Breakthroughs: Lessons from Isabel De Sousa

What does it really take to grow a luxury fashion brand from scratch? In this episode of The Seed: Building Your Business, host Lisa Resnick sits down with Isabel Desousa, founder of Akalia, a high-end fashion line now featured in Saks and boutiques nationwide. From bootstrapping a bikini line in college to navigating the banking and marketing industries, Isabel’s journey is anything but conventional. Tune in as we dive into the realities of entrepreneurship—what it looks like to start before you're ready, how to build a brand with heart (not hype), and why perfection is overrated. Isabel shares candid insights on managing cash flow, raising prices, walking away from big-name contracts, and staying true to your vision through it all. If you're building a business or dreaming of doing so, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, unfiltered truth, and the reminder that success grows from messy starts and unwavering belief. Want to connect? Schedule a free 30 min discussion: https://calendly.com/dandelion/letsmeet Visit dandelion-inc.com to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get more inspiring stories from badass women around us.