To Stylists: Create your niche

When I was starting my styling journey in 2016, I had no clue the world I was getting into. I had been married 5 years prior and I had only gone to a hand full of shops in Dothan, Alabama that gave me a subpar experience. But at that time, Say Yes To The Dress was taking the world by storm. And the average bride got to see into the luxury world, a one on one experience. Say Yes To The Dress changed the bridal industry forever.

I started at a small shop in Satsuma, Louisiana, (bet you never heard of that one before) the southern bride x100. They wanted glitz and they wanted drama.

As I combed through the hundred of dresses, I noticed this one that stuck out to me at the time. It was an Allure, full of rhinestones at the top. Cap sleeves, side cutouts (stay with me) and a satin fitted skirt, I loved it. I went on to sell it the most in my first year.

They say you sell what you love, it’s the easiest. Your excited about it, you tend to do well at getting others excited with you.

They started including me in the buying, I was ecstatic. I got to sit down and pick what dresses I would ultimately sell. As I voiced my opinon on what to get, I would get a few “Are you sure?” After all, I had only been helping brides for a short time compared to the other ladies.

I stated that there was a slew of brides that requested “sexy” and that we didnt have any. We had THAT one. I felt like I didnt have enough options to show these brides I had been getting over and over again. Boho was trending, “slip” dresses, deep low backs, plunging necklines, they were hitting the runways, and we had none.

Shortly after my findings were shown to be correct, I was dubbed the “sexy bride consultant”. Still makes me giggle to this day.

So stylists, what is your niche? What kind of consultant could you be dubbed? You should have an answer to this after just a year of styling full time.

My good friend was known for people with large budgets, custom dresses. Another was wonderful for plus size brides. One was amazing for the classic bride. Boho bride specialist. Even different cultures need someone to specialize in helping them. Now, you can do it all, and should be well versed in a wide variety of brides. BUT, dont forget your niche. Maybe you know a designer and what they offer like the back of your hand, or work well with older brides. Whatever it is, own it, be known for it. That type of customer will be drawn back to you time and time again. You might even be specifically booked with a type of bride. Be known for something in this industry if you plan to be a part of it for a long time.