Fulfilling Dreams: How to Open a Bridal Shop
Business Overview:
If you have an eye for fashion and want to be your own boss, you should find out how to open a bridal shop and turn the dreams of countless brides into reality. Imagine spending your days surrounded by beautiful bridal gowns and blissful brides shopping for the perfect gown for the most important day of their lives. Helping these women find just what they are looking for can be so rewarding, not to mention lucrative. The average amount a bride spends on her dress is $1,200 USD. Add to that the cost of accessories like a veil and jewelry and you can see how much profit can be made with this business idea. But before opening a bridal store, it’s important you have a solid bridal shop business plan in place. This plan will help focus your efforts and answer questions about what types of gowns you will carry, whether or not you will also carry bridesmaids dresses and other formal attire, how you will market your new business, etc. Bridal shows come to town often and these are good opportunities to get your name out there and invite brides into your shop. Another option you’ll need to weigh is if you want to purchase a bridal salon franchise or start one from the ground up. A franchise might be easier up front (everything is already in place, perhaps even including some stock) but this will be the more costly option and you might not be able to run the store exactly the way you want at first. Whether you start from scratch or buy a bridal shop, this is a costly investment and you will need to line up financing before going too far. However, once your shop is up and running, it will only take a few satisfied brides to spread the word and soon your shop will be full of joyful brides wanting the perfect dress. You may even be able to add to your collection and begin to offer prom dresses, flower girl dresses, shoes, jewelry, and even tuxedos. Before you know it, your bridal shop will be the go-to place for every fashionable bride in town.
A Day in the Life of a Bridal Shop Business Owner:
You will spend most of your day helping brides and their families find the right dresses. Depending on how large your staff is, you will either work directly with these women or simply check in on them to see if your employees are giving them the help they need. You will spend time communicating with fashion houses and distributors to ensure dresses are delivered on time and on budget. Whether you use an in-house seamstress or use third-party alterations services, you will check in on these alterations to make sure dresses are ready on time. Finally, you will record the day’s payments and check your finances to ensure everything is in order.
About Your Customers:
Most of your customers will be brides and their families. Depending on your inventory, you might have some younger ladies shopping for prom dresses and all ages looking for a special occasion dress.
What You Need to Start:
- Business plan
- Marketing plan
- Storefront
- Dresses, accessories
- Racks, display counters, dressing rooms with large mirror areas
- Staff
- Computer with finance software
The Good:
- The bridal business can be very lucrative.
- It is rewarding to help brides find just what they are looking for.
- If you love fashion, you will enjoy spending your day around beautiful dresses and being the first to know of new fashion trends.
- Once your shop is up and running, you can let your staff do most of the work and you can take vacation or days off when you want to.
- You get to work with others in the formal wear industry and attend bridal shows and, if you wish, fashion shows featuring the latest couture designers.
The Bad:
- It can take a while to get your first few customers.
- You will run into some brides and their families who are difficult to work with.
Resources:
- Association of Bridal Consultants
- Bridal Association of America
- Bureau of Labor Statistics on Clothing, Accessory and General Merchandise Stores
- Wikipedia on Wedding Dress
About The Author
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