Who Knew?

Who would have thought I'd be any good at this whole bridal sales thing? Certainly not me. I've never pegged myself as a 'saleswoman.' As a matter of fact, I've purposely avoided sales-type jobs as much as possible. Years ago, in my naive youth, I made a feeble attempt at home makeup sales. No, not Mary Kay, but their competitor, "Beauty Control." I purchased the starter kit for several hundred dollars, booked home parties with all of my friends and co-workers and at most I'd come home with a few lipstick sales. I sucked at it. My dream of becoming a Senior Sales Consultant earning six figures was quickly squelched. Furthermore, much to my husband's chagrin, I was stuck with an expensive inventory of makeup. I spent the next few years trying to recoup the money I laid out, at least a portion of it.

While in Europe working for the tour operator companies, part of my job was selling excursions i.e. island tours, boat trips, Greek and Turkish Nights, pub crawls and tours to ruins. My success rate was a bit better than the makeup sales, but still not what I'd call dynamic. Luckily, it was only a small portion of my job description and I excelled in the other areas so my bosses loved me anyway. Phew.

So based on my past, I've always known that a career in sales was not my destiny. I had considered real estate sales when I first returned to Seattle, however, being realistic about my strong suits, I decided to opt out of that career choice. What made me go into wedding gown sales? Rent. I had to pay my rent and with limited jobs available in this town, as well as others, I had to take what was offered to me. I'd considered a career as a barista, but even that seems to require a Ph.D. in coffee these days.

As luck would have it, I seem to be doing okay with this bridal biz. A couple more gowns to sell and I will have reached my monthly goal. I wasn't even trying. As a matter of fact, when I saw what my monthly goal was I just scoffed at it. How was a brand new consultant who barely knows the difference between a Mermaid and a Trumpet style or can't judge a Taffeta from a Tissue Taffeta by touch suppose to reach that kind of goal? Honestly, I just didn't take it too seriously. Instead, I simply chummed up to my customers and tried to make them feel like I cared about them and their stupid wedding. Apparently, that's the ticket. Who knew?