Testimonials

We've been lucky to work with amazing fashion brands from business ideation, to launch to scale.

“Recently, I participated in Moscow's Fashion Tech Day Pitch Competition. Elissa was my mentor and she taught me how to appeal to my target audience in a more clear and concise manner. With her help, I was able to be more effective and get my messaging across succinctly. After a few one-to-one sessions with her, I took first place!”

- Nick Ponomarenko, CEO of CLOI, INC., Moscow, Russia

"Elissa is authentic, professional and very supportive when giving me honest and relevant business advice. She's always focused on helping me identify my value proposition and differentiating me from my competitors.”

- Rita Assor, Designer/Founder, Miurio Textile Design Studio, Estonia

“Elissa was a force of nature in creating the Finnish Fashion Accelerator as a Finnish Government program. She delivered a carefully tailored ensemble of leading fashion professionals who offered detailed, brand specific advice and feedback.

She has worked with the five individual companies in the program tirelessly, which resulted in three of them receiving representation from high quality showrooms.

Elissa is dynamic, productive and forthright - but also diplomatic and genuinely warm. Working with her has been a real privilege. I look forward to working with her in the future.”

- Tero Kuittinen, Finland Project 2021

‘Everything I needed to know to build my business up, I learned from the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator.’
- Sherrill Mosee, owner Minkee Blue

‘The Philadelphia Fashion Incubator helped me expand my vision, my mind and my company.’
- Janell Wysock, owner Janell Wysock

“Elissa has been an amazing resource for myself and others to help us assess how to begin the daunting task of starting a business from the ground up. Whether it is one on one personalized consulting, or group classes, Elissa tailors her information accordingly to meet each client exactly where they are at in the process of starting a fashion business.
I found her marketing ideas inspiring and wise, and her experiences in the fashion accessories sector to be incredibly insightful. I cannot think of, nor find any other consultant who enjoys more seeing new ideas, products, and businesses sprout; and her enthusiasm for your business success is contagious, she is a true asset to the women's business community!”
- Carla Mayer, Owner • POP Designs

“Meeting Elissa changed my vision of starting up my swimwear business. She gave me the tools and the courage to become confident about my work and how to launch my product idea in the marketplace.
Elissa is a great teacher, her experience as an entrepreneur helped me discover information that I would have never had available through any type of research. Her advice on every topic that we covered in her courses was very useful. The most amazing thing about this course is that it is very personalized with individual goals. It is not a typical class in which everyone gets the same information, here she knows everything about your status and helps you with every step you need to take. It is a fun, inspiring and entertaining class. Elissa has patience and puts a lot of dedication on every project.”
- Samantha Deovando, Designer • Sam Andrews, Inc.

“Elissa’s knowledge, guidance and direction in Fashion Marketing has been very useful to me in building my business in fashion design and manufacturing. “From Idea to Market” was the first class I took, taught by Elissa, last year at Moore College of Art.  It was also the first class I’ve taken in over 38 years since graduating from college. She made my re-entry painless!
Elissa’s nurturing leadership brought a diverse group of individuals, in various stages of life and building fashion businesses, to a place where each is enjoying success. The added benefit of the group’s mutual support is a tribute to Elissa and personifies her commitment to carefully meet each students’ particular needs.
Her education, background and understanding of the industry and complete willingness to generously share her experiences and resources has proved invaluable. Classes are filled with thought provoking lessons and industry information. Her guided assignments stimulate her students to dream their visions and ideas while making certain that plans and time lines are instituted to ensure completion of those plans. She is masterful at requiring a high level of commitment while maintaining a gentle encouraging manner, always supportive and inspiring confidence.
I highly recommend Elissa Bloom as an instructor and plan to continue taking her courses. Someday soon,
I hope to add her to my company’s advisory board.”
- Ilene Pearl, Bannwart Designer • iPEARL

“Elissa is truly inspiring as both a teacher and an entrepreneur. When I first began taking her classes, I had the beginning of an idea for a handbag line and very little idea how to bring it to life. Under her skilled guidance, I have seen that initial concept become a complete body of work that is coming ever closer to launching. She is a source of constant encouragement, drawing upon her own experiences in design and manufacturing to help guide me through the development of not only my product, but of the strategy to bring it to market as well. I truly appreciate the honesty with which she has presented the hard work reality of running a business, and the faith she has shown in me to be successful.”
- Barbara Herbert, Designer • Parlieux

“Elissa’s business bootcamp is perfect for designers, artists, jewelers or any up and coming small company with a great product.  It is a how to guide supporting you in the process of selling to the market. Elissa conducts the class in an open forum setting where each student gets the spotlight to discuss and focus on their goals.
‘From Product to Market’ shows you the steps it takes to get your product in the hands of consumers. Pricing, wholesale, manufacturing, marketing ideas and trend discussions are all reviewed.  Each week every student discusses their issues and successes towards reaching their goals.
I recommend this class to anyone who’s ever wanted a business coach/consultant to help put their business on the road to success.”
- Ivy Glass, Designer, Ivy Glass • Ecouture Fashions

“I have attended two of Elissa's bootcamps in addition to one-on-one consultations with her to help start my shoe business. Elissa combines industry savvy with a true passion for seeing her clients' visions realized. Her inside knowledge of the fashion world coupled with her easy, encouraging demeanor are a perfect match. I feel confident and inspired to move forward with my dream knowing that Elissa believes in me and has the real world experience to help make it happen.”
- Terena Grilly, Owner • Shoe Stories

“I had the opportunity to participate in Elissa's Entrepreneur workshop, and it was the best way for me to bring my small business ideas into action. Not only was I able to learn from both Elissa's expertise and the other students in the group, but I was given the tools and tips I needed to understand what steps needed to be taken to ensure my company's success. From brainstorming ideas to learning about legality, logistics, market research and more, Elissa was informative, helpful and, most importantly, inspiring. I would absolutely encourage anyone thinking about starting their own business to take this workshop!”
- Anna Ritchie, Owner • RedApple Communications Podcasts

Listen to various interviews of Elissa speaking on the business of fashion.