Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellie Shackleton-Jones.
Ellie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a little girl in Vietnam with many older siblings, I was often given hand-me-downs and second hand clothing. So, from a very young age, I was sewing and improving clothes to make them beautiful. I even sold them to my friends because they loved them so much! This was the start of me developing my sewing skills. I left the country at 14 to start a new life in America with hopes to make a better life for myself and my family. After completing my education with a Business degree in Apparel, I was able to open my own bridal shop and sold the company after 12 years to spend time with my children. This was a shift for me, as there was a non-compete clause, and I had to stay away from bridal for five years. During this time, I designed medical scrubs & textile for over 3.5 years with a vision to bring fashion and comfort into Medical and fashion uniforms wear.
After doing that, I found I still had my love and passion for bridal. This time around, I had a vision for each bride: to give them a romantic, one-of-a-kind bridal experience. With this in mind, I opened up Bridal Gallery of Orlando and Bridal Gallery Couture in 2017. With an amazing team behind me, I am able to make every bride’s dream come true and make her vision come to life. With so much passion and creativity, it isn’t work, it feels so much bigger. Being a part of such an important and exciting time for these women is a job that fuels me everyday. After 30 years, my love for this industry, for the brides, and my incredible team, still lives on.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was not easy when I first started. When starting the business, there were risks financially with loans, but also with loss of time spent at work. It was a struggle to spend most of my time away from my family and to no longer have any personal downtime.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
With two locations, Bridal Gallery of Orlando and Bridal Gallery Couture, our business gives brides the opportunity to have the wedding gown shopping experience they and their bridal party deserve. We are open seven days a week and offer VIP for any clients who want the whole store to herself and her party!
Our team consists of the top bridal stylists with extensive experience in their careers. Each consultant is special from backgrounds in bridal styling, hair styling, wedding party attire, luxury retail, and more. We understand each bride is unique in every way and needs a one-of-a-kind experience. Our stylists are well-rounded, not only helping the bride find the one but also working with her to complete the look. From hair and make-up consulting when trying accessories such as veils, headpieces and jewelry, to helping pick the right undergarments, we make the process stress-free!
Unique to the industry, both stores offer in-house designers and tailors working one on one with each and every guest. We don’t send our clients to go elsewhere to get her gown to fit perfectly, it is all down on site! Our designers have many years in bridal fashion and understand trends to make a bride feel comfortable putting her gown in our hands.
Working with the best designers in the bridal industry from around the world, we assure the best in craftsmanship, luxury and design, and provide a mix between modern and traditional. Our commitment is to make each of our clients satisfied!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Continue to work hard, love what you do, do it from your heart & take good care of the people.
Pricing:
- $1,500 to $8,000
Contact Info:
- Email: info@bridalgalleryoforlando, hello@bridalgallerycouture.com
- Website: https://bridalgalleryoforlando.com/ and https://bridalgallerycouture.com/
- Instagram: @bridalgalleryoforlando and @bridalgallerycouture
- Other: We are active on tiktok! @bridalgalleryoforlando and @bridalgallerycouture
Image Credits: Carlos Romero for the images in bridal shop
