By: Nic Abelian

Juanita Carmet, a seasoned Fashion Brand Strategist, is redefining the blueprint for fashion startups with her strategic and personalized approach. Through her consulting agency, Fashion Brand Strategist Lounge, Carmet is empowering emerging and established fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands, particularly those without traditional fashion backgrounds, to craft profitable, authentic brands built for longevity.

Founded by Carmet, FBS Lounge bridges the gap between creative vision and business execution. With over 20 years of experience in fashion design, product development, and marketing strategy, Carmet’s expertise goes beyond basic advice, offering real-world insight into building successful brands. Her approach combines deep industry knowledge with a passion for guiding entrepreneurs, helping them create smart, informed decisions that lead to sustainable success.

Through one-on-one coaching and strategic initiatives, FBS Lounge offers guidance on developing brand identities, understanding customer profiles, optimizing messaging, and creating sound product strategies. Carmet’s guidance is highly valued by founders, especially those new to the fashion world, who benefit from her transparent, strategic coaching style.

Carmet’s career trajectory is marked by a series of notable accomplishments that include designing for celebrity brands like Nicki Minaj, Selena Gomez, and Kimora Lee Simmons, as well as creating collections for prominent retailers such as Saks and Bloomingdale’s. Her most significant achievement was spearheading the design and launch of AQUA’s swimwear line at Bloomingdale’s, which generated high six-figure revenue in its first quarter. These experiences have equipped Carmet with a profound understanding of the fashion industry, which she now uses to help entrepreneurs avoid the costly mistakes many new founders make.

Through FBS Lounge, Carmet has built a reputation for offering a highly personalized, results-driven experience that guides founders through the often overwhelming process of building a successful fashion business. By providing clarity, strategy, and business acumen, she helps founders feel seen, supported, and empowered as they navigate their entrepreneurial journeys.

“My mission is simple—help fashion founders turn their creative vision into profitable and sustainable brands,” says Carmet. “Building a fashion brand without expert guidance is like surfing without knowing the tide—possible, but unnecessarily risky. Behind every thriving fashion brand is a strategy you don’t see—and an expert who knows how to build it.”

Carmet’s rare 360-degree expertise across design, product development, branding, and marketing strategy sets her apart from other industry consultants. Few professionals possess the combination of creative insight and business strategy that she brings to the table, making her uniquely qualified to guide fashion founders through both the creative and business aspects of brand-building. Whether assisting with creative ideation, product development, or crafting go-to-market strategies, Carmet’s approach ensures that her clients walk away with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.

Moreover, Carmet’s emphasis on education and empowerment differentiates her from competitors in the space. Rather than simply executing tasks on behalf of her clients, she prioritizes education, making her clients smarter, more confident decision-makers. This aspect is particularly beneficial for non-industry founders—individuals with passion and drive but without formal fashion expertise—who benefit from her clear, actionable insights.

“I work with many founders who may not come from traditional fashion backgrounds. I make the process accessible and strategic, offering guidance without jargon or fluff,” explains Carmet. “The goal is to help them grow with clarity, confidence, and a well-rounded approach that combines both creative intuition and sound business practices.”

Carmet’s professional credentials include a BFA in Fashion from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where she graduated Cum Laude, and an MS in Marketing from Florida International University. Additionally, she holds certifications in Creative Project Management and Green Belt Lean Six Sigma, showcasing her commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. As an expert-vetted Top 1% talent on Upwork, Carmet is also recognized for her exceptional ability to deliver results, with her marketplace simulation championship generating over 400% ROI on a $2M project.

Her accolades further include her work with brands such as Rampage, where her strategy helped revive the company’s outerwear category, generating multi-million-dollar revenue during Black Friday promotions. Her efforts in product development and brand-building have consistently resulted in tangible success, earning her recognition as a trusted authority in the fashion industry.

Carmet’s commitment to empowering women and minority founders in the fashion space is another key aspect of her mission. “My journey is one of resilience and reinvention,” she says. “As an Afro-Latina woman in the fashion business, I’m proud to guide other women and minority founders through the process of building their own successful businesses. It’s about creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, and fostering long-term success.”

With a focus on delivering actionable insights and realistic strategies, Carmet’s mission is clear: to ensure that every brand she works with is not only creative but also sustainable and profitable. FBS Lounge is more than just a consulting service—it’s a space where founders are equipped to lead their brands with purpose and intention, with a strong foundation built on strategy.

“My approach isn’t just about making clients feel good about their ideas; it’s about providing them with the necessary tools and frameworks to scale their businesses in a way that aligns with both their creative vision and their business goals,” says Carmet.

Juanita Carmet and FBS Lounge are reshaping how fashion businesses build and grow, offering founders the confidence and support they need to succeed in today’s competitive market. Whether founders are in the early stages of their journey or looking to scale, FBS Lounge provides the clarity, direction, and expertise necessary to transform creative dreams into strategic success.

For more information, visit FBS Lounge or follow Juanita Carmet on Instagram.

Published by Jeremy S.