Steven Kolb on Why Relationships are Your Career Currency, How to Transfer Your Skills to Another Industry and What it Takes to be a Designer Today

A self-described "accidental fashion drone," the idea of working in fashion never really seemed to be on Steven Kolb's radar. Today, Steven is the Chief Executive Officer of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the trade association for the American fashion industry. He oversees all operations for the American fashion industry's group of 500 designers. He manages CFDA's membership, activities, and philanthropic efforts such as Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, disaster relief, and HIV/AIDS. In this episode, Steven shares the importance of cultivating relationships and making an impression that lasts even when you're not in the room. As a somewhat shy person, Steven has always favored playing number two and knowing his function in any given situation. He also reminds us that no matter how senior you get, sometimes you have to tell yourself that you're in the room because you belong there. Steven recommends taking stock in what you're good at,  knowing what you don't know, and not being afraid to ask questions. We also dive deep into the fashion industry right now, the changes that have come since the pandemic, and what it takes to make it as a designer today.