Me When They Ask Me to Sign an NDA Then Want to See Similar Work I’ve Done

(Start a Clothing Brand? Just Don’t Start With Contradictions.)

The email starts promising:

“We’d love to explore working together on a new collection. Please sign this NDA.”

Alright, cool. Respect the confidentiality.

Then the very next line:

“Can you share examples of similar work you’ve done?”

So… you want me to keep your project private, while simultaneously breaking confidentiality with someone else’s?

This is the part of starting a clothing brand no one talks about—the weird client logic loops, the double standards, and the contradiction gymnastics that happen before a single tech pack is even opened.

If you’re serious about building a brand—and want to be taken seriously—you’ve got to understand how to run this process like a professional. That’s where Garment Sourcing 101 comes in.

Start a Clothing Brand? Understand How Professionalism Works Both Ways

Let’s be honest: asking someone to sign an NDA and then demanding proof of past confidential work is like:

• Giving someone a lock and then asking for the spare keys

• Saying “trust me” while expecting betrayal

You can’t have it both ways.

Step 1: NDA ≠ Silence Forever

An NDA isn’t a vow of eternal secrecy about your career.

It protects:

• Specific details

• Proprietary design elements

• Brand-sensitive strategy

It doesn’t mean:

• You can’t show mock-ups

• You can’t mention categories

• You can’t describe general work (carefully)

Inside Garment Sourcing 101, I walk through how to present your sourcing and design credibility—without breaching trust.

Step 2: Founders—If You’re Asking for Work, Show Some Too

Asking a consultant, freelancer, or sourcing partner to show confidential past work?

Cool. Then:

• Be ready to show your pitch deck

• Share your design references

• Reveal your actual budget range

Transparency goes both ways. Otherwise, it’s just a one-sided information grab.

Step 3: Want to Start a Clothing Brand? You’re Building a Relationship, Not a Transaction

Successful sourcing isn’t:

• One quote and done

• A Fiverr mentality

• “Show me everything, I’ll let you know” energy

It’s:

• Building trust

• Sharing direction

• Understanding that collaboration > control

That’s how good work actually gets made.

Step 4: How to Handle This Without Burning the Bridge

If you’re the one being asked for confidential work under NDA, try this:

“Happy to share anonymized case studies and relevant category experience. I respect all NDAs, including yours.”

Professional. Firm. No drama.

And if you’re the one asking for both? Reconsider. It makes you look confused at best, unprofessional at worst.

Step 5: Trust Is the Real NDA

Contracts are great. But long-term sourcing success is built on:

• Reputation

• Follow-through

• Mutual respect

You want to start a clothing brand? Learn how to show up like someone people want to work with.

TL;DR – Don’t Ask for Secrecy Then Demand Receipts

You can have:

• Confidentiality

• Or a portfolio

Not both—unless you allow anonymized summaries or general references.

Start a clothing brand like a founder, not a contradiction.

Final Word: Want Trust? Build It.

I’ve worked with hundreds of founders over 15+ years—and I’ve signed more NDAs than I can count.

What sets the good ones apart?

• Clear communication

• Reasonable expectations

• A real understanding of how trust works in this industry

Garment Sourcing 101 will help you:

• Vet partners properly

• Ask smart questions

• Work professionally (without the irony)

👉 Take the course, ditch the contradiction—and build a brand people respect.