House of (DE-FI)ance | Dayton’s Fashion Hub & Incubator

 “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

– African Proverb

Our Build-A-Brand program guides aspiring and emerging fashion professionals through brand development, marketing, and production with personalized mentorship and access to Midwest fashion resources. 

Every great business starts with an idea, but let’s be honest, that’s just the beginning. The real challenge? Turning that idea into something viable,  sustainable, and impactful.

The Build-A-Brand Experience isn’t your typical business class. We’re not  here to waste your time with things you could Google or free templates for  you’ll never use. Instead, we focus on the unseen and often-overlooked challenges that can make or break your journey:

• Sacrifice, supply chain, innovation, legal issues, customer support, failure, criticism, and risk.
• The mental and physical toll of building a business and brand.
• And most importantly how to align your vision with reality and thrive.

Why Build-A-Brand?

This immersive experience is designed to give you the tools, strategies, and mindset you need to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. This is where aspiring, emerging, and established business leaders come to break the mold and learn what it takes to create something meaningful.

We go beyond the basics, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all, hyped-up session  about chasing dreams and you won't hear any motivational speakers. It’s about giving you real tools and real talk to help you build a business that aligns with your goals and withstands the  pressures of the market.

At the House of (DE-FI)ance, the Build-A-Brand Experience takes a bold, structured approach to turning your idea into a thriving business. We don’t just talk about your vision, we help you bring it to life.

Our Process

1. Start with the Idea: Every great brand begins with a concept. We help  you shape and refine yours into something viable and impactful.
2. Reverse Engineer Success: Together, we break down your vision to  uncover the steps needed to achieve it, working backward from the goal  to create a clear roadmap.
3. Discover What’s Needed: Identify the tools, resources, and strategies essential for your brand’s growth.
4. Learn How It Works: Understand the mechanics of your business, from product development to marketing and customer engagement.
5. Build the Infrastructure: Establish the systems, processes, and organizational structures needed to sustain your brand.
6. Grow Your Customer Base: Develop strategies to attract, retain, and nurture a loyal audience that aligns with your vision.

The Build-A-Brand Experience is more than just a series of steps it’s a  transformative journey that equips you with the skills, knowledge, and  confidence to own your brand, master your market, and define your  success.

Ready to make it happen? Let’s build.

What You’ll Gain

During the Build-A-Brand Experience, you’ll:

• Shape Your Vision: Align your business idea with a real market opportunity and your personal goals.
• (DE-FI)ne Your Value: Discover what makes your product or service unique, identify your target market, and craft your competitive edge.
• Plan for Profit: Learn how to set realistic financial goals, manage business functions, and navigate the steps to profitability.
• Build Your Brand: (DE-FI)ne your company’s identity, marketing strategies, and organizational culture.
• Find Funding: Identify potential sources of funding and prepare to pitch your business effectively.
• Launch with Confidence: Develop a roadmap to bring your business from idea to execution.

The Human Side of Business

We understand that success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about sustainability, health, and balance. That’s why we also address:

• Maintaining a healthy work-life balance while building your brand.
• Managing stress in productive ways.
• Meal prepping and staying active, even on the busiest schedules.

Why Us? Why Here?

The Build-A-Brand Experience is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to tackle  the realities of entrepreneurship head-on. While others might hype you up with generic advice, we’re here to offer actionable solutions that meet you where you are and help you go further than you imagined.

This is more than a workshop, it’s a reality check and a roadmap. It’s a  place where big ideas meet practical strategies and where you become the business leader you were meant to be.

Welcome to the Build-A-Brain Experience. #ThisIsOurHouse

Ugh, not another networking event. Insert facepalm. Let’s face it,  networking can be the actual worst. Introverts dread it, extroverts endure it, and honestly, who enjoys the awkward small talk, forced  smiles, and endless exchanges of business cards that lead nowhere?

But here’s the thing, you can’t grow your brand, business, or connections without meeting new people. So, we’ve ditched the tired, happy-hour-meet-and-mingle vibes for something fresh, bold, and downright flirty (but all business). Welcome to Brain Dayton, the brain-dating experience only (DE-FI) could dream up.

What’s Brain Dayton All About?

First things first: no, this isn’t a hookup event. But we are stealing a page from the dating playbook to revolutionize how you connect with people who can help your brand thrive. Just like dating, brain-dating focuses on finding the right fit. Brain Dayton is a curated networking experience matching fashion professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives for meaningful, goal-driven conversations that lead to partnerships. 

Think about it: when you’re dating, you probably have a list of attributes,  characteristics, or shared interests that you’re looking for in a significant other. Now, take that same concept and apply it to your business or brand.

• Who is your business or brand missing?
• What skills, talents, or expertise do they bring to the table?
• What values, characteristics, or interests align with your mission?

Write down the answers. Get clear on who you need to fill the gaps in your  business or brand. Then, get ready to swerve into purposeful connections at Brain Dayton and, as we like to say, get your date on—sew to speak.

How Does It  (W-E-R-K)?

Imagine this: instead of mindless mingling, you get curated conversations tailored to what you actually need. Our 45-minute brain-dating sessions are designed to match you with the people who can help you brainstorm, problem-solve, and build. Think of it as speed-dating for your career.

Here’s what you’ll experience:

• Real Connections: Swap ideas with people who share your goals and challenges.
• Strategic Matches: Meet collaborators who can fill the gaps in your business or brand.
• Knowledge Sharing: Learn from presenters AND attendees, because the best ideas don’t always come from the stage.

Why Brain Dayton?

Because traditional networking is outdated and shallow. After surviving a  global pandemic and an industry tailspin, we need deep, purposeful  interactions that lead to real collaborations. Brain Dayton is where  fashion, design, textile, and business professionals come to find their  missing puzzle pieces without the fluff.

And if you’re worried about the “dating” term, don’t stress. Call it brain-working, brain-connecting, or brain-bossing. Call it what you want—just know it’s not the basic networking event you’re used to.

Ready to Get Your Brain-Date On?

Who needs Google when you can get answers, ideas, and solutions directly from people who get it? Whether you’re here to brainstorm, collaborate, or finally fill that gap in your team, Brain Dayton is your ticket to a smarter, more impactful network.

This is networking (DE-FI) style. This is our house. Let’s brain-date.

Dayton, Ohio. The birthplace of aviation, the cash register, the self-starter,  and countless other innovations that changed the world. But here’s the  thing none of those achievements happened without competition.

Take the Wright Brothers. They weren’t the first to dream of flight. At least 11 flying machines preceded the Wright B Flyer. What set the  right Brothers apart? Competition. It pushed them to innovate, to refine, and to become leaders in their field.

Why Competition Matters

Let’s  be real—it’s survival of the fittest. To thrive in the fashion industry, designers must step up their game, stay relevant, and  consistently deliver excellence. That’s what competition does:

• It drives innovation.
• It forces us to adapt.
• It separates those who want it from those who are willing to work for it.

Take the top four fashion weeks in the world—New York, Paris, Milan, and London. These powerhouses didn’t just competethey collaborated to create Fashion Month, a global phenomenon that kicks off in New York  before moving to London, Milan, and Paris. In a major market like New  York, where resources are abundant, staying relevant is a constant  battle.

This is why the House of (DE-FI)ance exists: to provide regional fashion and design talent with the resources, support, and competitive edge needed to rise above  the noise.

Collaboration + Competition = Success

At (DE-FI), we’ve always believed that regional fashion organizations need to  emerge and thrive for the Dayton and Southwest Ohio markets to  flourish. We’ve backed up this belief by:

• Sponsoring and promoting other legitimate fashion experiences.
• Offering feedback, guidance, and support to help others grow.

But let’s make one thing clear: we don’t compromise our values or ethics  for popularity. Supporting the growth of this region’s fashion community is a priority but we refuse to align with anything that doesn’t reflect our core values.

Why Collapetitive Collabitation Works

Competition isn’t just valuable it’s critical. Ask any investor what they want to know before funding a business:

1. Who’s your competition?
2. What makes you different from them?

If you say, “I don’t have competition” or “I’m my own competition,” guess what? The door closes. Investors assume:

1. Your idea is terrible.
2. You haven’t researched your market.
3. You’re not coachable.

You need competition. It drives markets forward and keeps you sharp. And in our house, competition isn’t a dirty word, it’s a necessity.

More than just a shared co-working space, the House of (DE-FI)ance is proud to launch Collapetitive Collabitation, where fashion and design talent come together to collaborate, compete, and cohabitate under one roof. This  isn’t about tearing each other down, it’s about pushing each other to grow, innovate, and thrive.

In our house, collaboration is a valued necessity, and competition is the fuel that keeps the market alive.

Since 2013, (DE-FI) has been a force to be reckoned with, reshaping the regional fashion landscape and inspiring organizations worldwide to do more for their talent. Locally, we’ve influenced countless businesses and  incubator initiatives in the Gem City to follow our lead by fusing community outreach with innovation to address needs and make dreams come true.

But let’s be clear: the fashion industry is a business. You don’t need a background in fashion or design to succeed at the House of (DE-FI)ance—you need a vision and a willingness to work. We’re here to provide the business support and resources that so many creatives struggle to find.

Whether you’re just starting out, seeking impartial advice, or an established brand looking to refresh or restructure, we’ve got you covered.

Your Business Is Our Business

The Dreamforce Business Consulting services are designed to help you  achieve your goals without having to leave Southwest Ohio. We focus on:

• Visualizing your goals.
• Strategizing actionable plans.
• Analyzing opportunities and challenges.
• Providing support tailored to your needs.
• Executing ideas into tangible results.

It’s time to go beyond the numbers and build relationships that foster  growth. We’re here to help you thrive, boost your bottom line, and  amplify your brand recognition.

How the Dreamforce Supports You

Business Management

• Business creation, goal setting, and refreshing your business.
• Developing your image and connecting you with the talent and services you need to build your team.

Business Analysis

• Business evaluations and planning.
• Consumer segmentation, market knowledge, pricing strategies, and value assessments.

Accounting

• Personal financial analysis and budgeting.
• Goal setting, tax planning, and learning how to pay yourself effectively.

Branding & Rebranding  

• Strategic marketing support, commercial creation, and rebranding initiatives.
• Image consulting to align your brand with your vision.

Social Media Marketing

Let’s face it—if you’re not on social media, you’re not really present. Our experts can help you with:

• Email marketing campaigns.
• Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube management.

Graphic Design

Your visuals tell your story. Let our team help you create:

• Brand identity, brochures, business cards, banners, packaging, signage, and web design.
• Advertisements, catalogs, newsletters, and more to bring your brand to life.

Photography

Capture the perfect shot with professional services, including:

• Headshots, commercial editorials, events, modeling, product shoots, and more.

Videography

Bring your vision to life through:

• Corporate commercials, short films, documentaries, and motion graphics.

E-Commerce

Whether it’s business-to-business, consumer-to-business, or  consumer-to-consumer, our e-commerce experts help you navigate the digital marketplace.

Writers

From websites and blogs to press releases, our writers will help you tell your story.

Life Coaching

When the road gets tough, our life coaches will help you regain focus, stay inspired, and move forward with confidence.

Mentors

Need advice? Our mentors are here to guide you through your next big steps, whether you’re thriving, stuck, or just need someone to talk to.

Financial Planners

Money matters. Whether you don’t have enough or don’t know what to do with what you’ve got, our financial planners are here to help.

Why the Dreamforce?

Because success isn’t just about hard work—it’s about having the right support to make informed decisions and seize every opportunity. At the Dreamforce, we provide you with the tools, expertise, and network to take your  business or brand to the next level.

Ready to turn your dreams into reality? The House of (DE-FI)ance Dreamforce Business Consulting is here to make it happen.

This is our house. Let’s build your success together.