Monday, March 30, 2009

A Holly Jolly Workplace

Although the pay at the 'Bridal Barn' is less than ideal, there are some positives about the job. I'm able to work autonomously with my clients. I take my bride into a private and rather elaborate dressing room fully stocked with bustiers, slips, mirrors all around, veils, shoes, sashes and bows, and extra chairs for their entourage, i.e. mom, future mother-in-law, sisters, best friends and bridesmaids (not always one in the same). In there, she is able to sample bridal frocks to her heart's content, or at least up to two hours, the standard appointment time. We have a fabulous runway for the brides-to-be to strut their stuff and get an even better view of their favorite gowns. It's a professional environment without the 'corporate' feel.

She is my client, my bride. I can chat, joke and build rapport while I get to know her tastes and needs. No one is breathing down my neck or listening to my favorite lines which I tend to use over and over. "That silhouette is soooo flattering on you." "You have the perfect bridal dress figure. Everything looks great on you" (a real crowd pleaser). Or the ever popular response to brides droning on about how much weight they plan to lose before the big day, "oh now, that's no way to live. You look fabulous and your guy loves you just how you are. You want to be able to relax and enjoy your day, which includes eating and drinking champagne!" Everyone loves to hear that nonsense regardless of size.

But the best thing about the job is what a 'happy' place it is. Even now in these times of economic strife when all anyone can think of are their purse strings and the media reminding us daily of the doom and gloom of the world, our clients come in excited and happy to spend a grand or two...or three...on a silk white gown they'll wear once. It's amazing really. Many groups will bring champagne and make a real event of the bridal dress shopping experience.

Sometimes the happy factor can be a little tough even for this perpetually optimistic soul. Remember Cameron Diaz' character in "My Best Friend's Wedding" and all the squealing and carrying on she did throughout the movie? Well, she was my bride a few weeks ago. Even enclosed in our private dressing room, the consultants could hear her squeals of delight throughout the store. Once she found her dream dress (a Sally Crew Satin Ball Gown for $2200) she was so thrilled gazing at her view from the runway, even her friends warned me that she would do a cartwheel if she could. No doubt. I was actually getting ready to duck.

Yet another more subdued, but equally as excited bride expressed her gratitude for helping her find her special gown (another Sally Crew for $1900) by offering me a $20 tip. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to accept tips. But hell yeah, I took it and gave her a hug!

In any case, I have to admit that I don't dread going to work, the clients are happy, excited and generally eager to buy. I usually leave pretty beat, however. All that smiling, lifting heavy dresses and running for eight hours, and pretending to be sincerely interested in the details of an overpriced event is truly quite exhausting.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

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?