Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Wollard.
Hi Rachael, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My dream as a teenager was to be a fashion designer. I wanted to focus on bridal and evening gowns. I have always loved the industry, the glitz, the glamour, and making dreams come true. In my senior year in high school, we had to choose a senior project and I chose to learn how to make one of my designs a reality. I did an internship with a local seamstress and made one of my sketches into a wearable gown. That experience confirmed my passion for the industry was real and not a fly-by-night thought. In my sketchbook, I drew our logo almost to a T as it is today. There is nothing better than helping a bride find her perfect dress all the while fulfilling my dream. I made the decision last year to leave the Finance world and start this business venture. I have never been happier or felt more fulfilled than I do now. We are in month 3 of being in business and I am so pleased with the success the boutique has had thus far and cannot wait to see what is in store for the future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I allowed my fear of not being ready to push back this dream in high school, but in the end, I feel it better prepared me for being a business owner. When I chose to leave the Finance world last year, I was so confident in my decision. I knew I was ready and that I would not let anything hold me back. It may have taken me years to get to this point, but I wouldn’t change one thing about my journey. I struggled with finding the right location, the right designers, and the right materials to make this boutique a reality. I have had specially made racks get lost in the mail and had to have them remade. I lost one location due to this being a new business venture. I even had trouble finding the right company to help me apply for an SBA loan as a woman-owned and operated business. The thing that made these obstacles minor was me never giving up and not getting discouraged. I kept researching and reaching out to different vendors. I made sure to keep my options open at all times so I could have flexibility when I needed to.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Two Oaks Bridal Boutique is a unique bridal boutique in the Myrtle Beach area. We carry a large stock of made-to-order as well as ready-to-wear bridal gowns. We focus on being size inclusive with sizes from 00-32 and bride inclusive meaning we offer colored wedding gowns and all kinds of unique accessories for the non-traditional bride. We have a large price range to be able to help as many brides to be as possible. We have recently added Mothers’ gowns and bridesmaid’s gowns to be able to serve our community’s needs more. We offer in-house alterations and many accessories to complete your look for the big day.
We strive to make this an experience for our clients. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment that you can’t get back and it is important to document it to have those memories for you and your family. We treat you as part of our family and want you to leave feeling as such, knowing that we have your back through the whole process and will do everything we can to help you with your needs. Our brand is where your bridal dreams become reality and your perfect dress awaits. I am most proud of the feedback I have received thus far, confirming we are accomplishing our goal of making this a memorable experience for all.
What was you like growing up?
I was talkative, friendly, and loved all things fashion. When I got into high school I began to fall more and more in love with the bridal industry and evening gowns. I loved bling as many women do and that aligned with my love for bridal so I began sketching my own designs. I stayed up to date with trends and even applied to go to school for fashion design. As I went through high school, I became more reserved and focused on my dreams and aspirations. I was always looking past high school and into my future planning on how I would get there.
Pricing:
- Bridal Gowns start at $500
Contact Info:
- Email: twooaksbridal@gmail.com
- Website: https://twooaksbridal.com
- Instagram: @twooaksbridal
- Facebook: @twooaksbridal
