Love, luck and hard work!
We are so excited to announce the opening of Lola Grace Bridal! So much has gone into this day and it is finally here! How did we get here you ask? Well, it was a combination of love, luck and a lot of hard work.
It all began a few years ago after falling in love with my husband and getting engaged. I immediately began the search for my wedding dress. With high hopes, (and after too many episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress") I gathered my mom, sisters and best friend to start shopping. However, I quickly found myself frustrated with the "assembly line" type service and high pressure sales. I thought this was supposed to be fun and it was turning into an exhausting chore.
After almost giving up, I finally found a little peace of heaven in a sweet boutique in downtown Daytona Beach. The shop was completely closed just for my appointment and we had a blast! We laughed hysterically at the dresses that looked terrible on me and got teary-eyed at the ones that just felt right. When I finally found the perfect dress I was over the moon! I owe it to the relaxed environment, exemplary service and beautiful selection. This experience began my love for the bridal industry and was the basis for my decisions moving forward.
I began to work at the boutique in my spare time and found a great mentor in the owner. I discovered that there is nothing I love more than to see a bride beam with confidence when they find their dress. My heart was full. I found my passion.
Fast forward one year later and I decided to take huge leap of faith. My gut told me it was time to quit my day job in insurance to create my own business. I put my business degree to work and started to research the bridal industry. I poured over spreadsheets, markets and designers and kept mentors busy with all my requests for advise. Finally, I created a business plan I believed in and couldn't wait to start. I just needed the perfect location....
As luck would have it, a few weeks later, I received an email from the owner of the boutique in Daytona Beach. She was ready to sell her business and asked if I had any interest in her store and location. I immediately got goosebumps from head to toe! I couldn't believe that our paths aligned so perfectly to propel us both into our next adventures. It was meant to be!
Over the next couple of months we worked hard to organize a smooth transition and make some big decisions for the future. My mom and I visited the Atlanta Bridal market to pick up new lines and learn from the experts (photos will be posted soon!). My family, friends and mentors have supported me beyond belief.
We've put so much into making the bridal experience a fun and relaxing event. I truly hope you enjoy it and can't wait to personally welcome you into our boutique, Lola Grace Bridal.
We are planning a soft reopening for October 15th and a grand opening event later in the month. Stay tuned!
Best wishes,
Ashley Sipos
Contact us at hello@lolagracebridal.com or 386-846-1988. We are currently taking appointments!
