A Hand in Remarriage
These entrepreneurs help make it easier for couples to walk down the aisle as many times as they like.
What: A bridal planning and
consulting service for second-time brides
Who: Bill and Cheryl Brown of
Twice Is Nice Encore Bridal Creations LLC
Where: Charlotte, North
Carolina
When: Started in 2001
When Bill and Cheryl Brown decided to get married, they looked
forward to planning a big, fancy wedding--even though it was the
second time down the aisle for both.
But almost immediately, the pair discovered that the wedding
industry doesn't tend to look kindly on second marriages.
"When we were planning our wedding, we couldn't find
wedding professionals to give us what we wanted," explains
Cheryl. For example, the Browns wanted an expensive type of
invitation, but they were almost reprimanded by the salesperson for
wanting to spend so much money. "She was very insulting,"
recalls Cheryl.
Content Continues Below
Inspired to provide other couples with the kind of
wedding-planning service they couldn't find anywhere else,
Cheryl, 39, and Bill, 46, decided to start their own company,
Twice Is
Nice Encore Bridal Creations LLC. The company deals with all
the issues associated with a second, third or fourth
marriage-everything from the wedding dress and reception food to
advice and referrals on blending families, constructing prenuptial
agreements and more.
The Browns started their business part time at first, both
keeping their airline industry jobs. But in early 2003, business
became so busy that Bill began running the business full time. Now
that they plan three weddings a month and put on wedding shows
twice a year, it's no wonder company sales for 2003 are
projected to reach $70,000 to $75,000.
For Cheryl and Bill, knowing their market intimately helped
build their success. They knew, for example, that people entering
second marriages generally have more money to spend and consider
their second weddings as a way to celebrate an increase in their
quality of life. Having been through it herself, says Cheryl,
"[I] know what second-time brides want."
Page 1 |
2 |
3 |
4 