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Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Young Guns: Behind the Scenes With Twobirds Bridesmaid
By Christina Scotti
FOXBusiness
FOXBUSINESS.COM PROFILES ENTREPRENEURS AGE 35 AND YOUNGER
Ariane Goldman, 30, founded Twobirds Bridesmaid (a play on the phrase killing two birds with one stone) while searching for her own bridesmaid dresses. She was inspired by a vintage Norma Kamali dress that she found in New York.
Goldman's dress, often referred to as an "infinity dress," can be transformed into more than 15 different styles. From the start, Goldman said she knew she was on to something that had been missing in the bridal market. She calls the dress a solution to an often dreaded conundrum: how to give a bridesmaid her own unique identity while staying consistent with the wedding.
Goldman describes starting her business as taking a "small business startup 101 [class]. "It's not just the glamorous stuff," said Goldman "I am selling the dress, I am packaging the dress, I am picking up the phone, I am shipping it. One minute I am packing the dresses up and then all of a sudden, I will have an appointment and have to put on a smile and sell the dress."
While Goldman admits it's been a "whirlwind," she seems to be enjoying herself. Describing the business as an extension of herself, she says it keeps her extremely busy, but it's well worth it. "If there is a void [in your career], I would say to go for [your dream.]..I didn't want to resent myself when I was older for not trying to follow mine."
To learn more about Goldman's story, check out “Here Comes the...Bridesmaid?” and scroll down for the Six Shooter Q&A…
THE SIX SHOOTER
1. Where were you the moment you decided your business plan?
Goldman: I was in a steam room the moment I had the epiphany.
2. What was the one thing you didn't know that you had to bluff your way through?
Goldman: I feel like I am bluffing every single day. Owning this business has been incredible--but sometimes I still feel like I have no idea what I am doing--even though I am doing it! So the whole thing seems like a bluff.
3. What one life lesson did you learn that helped you build your business?
Goldman: Go for it! You live once and if you have an urge, at least try to satisfy it. Whether or not you're successful--you're successful in and of itself--just by trying. Go out and try to fulfill that dream because nothing is going to happen if you don't go for it.
4. Who is your role model or inspiration?
Goldman: Truly, I found a new inspiration in everyone that has taken the risk. Business owners inspire me. It's a different language, a different state of mind. Those [business owners] that I heard about and have done it--way before I even noticed--truly, truly inspire me.
5. What do you wish you had more of: time or money?
Goldman: Both, but ultimately time. I want to be deliberate in everything [I do] but sometimes the day just runs out. I am selling, I'm shipping, marketing, manufacturing-- everything. So I just wish I had a little more time for it all.
6. What is the one word your employees your employees would use to describe you and why? (Goldman is currently her only employee, so she describes herself.)
Goldman: [I'm] a lover of life and a lover of people. So hopefully this isn't just about selling dresses, this is really about making people happy.
Want to know who's next? Check back every other week to see more Young Guns... If you know a Young Gun e-mail us at youngguns@foxbusiness.com.
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