Ep 47: Fisayo Longe on Building KAI Collective: Culture, Confidence & Growing a Fashion Community

What does it really take to launch a fashion brand that stands out? Fisayo Longe, founder of KAI Collective, joins Rochelle Humes to share her remarkable journey from entrepreneurial beginnings in Nigeria to becoming one of London’s most innovative fashion voices.

Fisayo talks openly about her culture-driven confidence, pivoting from accounting to style, and the product flops and viral moments that shaped her brand. She reveals the lessons she learned about asking the right questions, building community, and the importance of having a unique selling point. Rochelle and Fisayo discuss overcoming burnout, trusting your instincts, and how empowering women starts with telling bold stories.

Packed with real talk, honest advice, and insider perspective, this episode is a must for anyone wanting to launch on their own terms—and build something unforgettable.

FOLLOW FISAYO

https://www.instagram.com/fisayolonge/

https://www.tiktok.com/@fisayolonge

KAI Collective: https://kaicollective.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kaicollective/

FOLLOW US

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunch

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

KEY TALKING POINTS

1. Early Life and Entrepreneurial Spirit

[00:00:15] – [00:03:21]

2. Academic Journey and Switch to Fashion

[00:07:22] – [00:10:43]

3. Starting the KAI Collective

[00:11:02] – [00:14:38]

4. Learning from Failure and Product Validation

[00:14:47] – [00:19:44]

5. Business Growth, the Gaia Dress, and Product Breakthroughs

[00:22:38] – [00:25:38]

6. Finding Hero Products & Listening to Your Audience

[00:26:15] – [00:28:24]

7. Empowerment, Community, and Brand Storytelling

[00:30:49] – [00:33:54]

8. From Founder-Led to Brand-Led

[00:33:54] – [00:36:42]

9. Direct-to-Consumer vs. Retail: Scaling Sustainably in Fashion

[00:41:46] – [00:46:31]

10. Leadership, Building Teams, and Company Culture

[00:47:19] – [00:52:57]

11. Burnout and High Achiever Mentality

[00:54:53] – [01:02:22]

12. What’s Next for KAI Collective

[01:02:35] – [01:04:43]

13. Rocket Round

[01:04:51] – [01:15:08]

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