- City
- Columbia
- State
- MO
Some of you may (or maybe not) have noticed that I haven't been as active on here lately as in the past (my build thread has definitely not been active!). Like BigWalton, I too have been busy with a new and exciting (and scary) venture! Back in the spring of this year my wife and I starting discussing starting a business of our own (I suggested Classic Jeep Restoration and Sales which she flatly shut down ). She has not been happy in her job (ad sales for a local magazine) and has always had the dream of working for herself. We discussed several different business ventures but ultimately settled on one that we feel has the strongest chance for booming growth and good profitability as well as something she loves. Since then we have been working on a business plan and doing a LOT of research and making a lot of business contacts. This last week our small business loan was approved and we will be opening in January 2015! The business is Belle Mariee Bridal Boutique carrying a full line of bridal dresses and accessories as well as bridesmaids dresses and tuxedos. My wife has worked in the bridal industry in the past and loved it. This last week was her last with her old sales job and she just got back from a huge bridal market in Chicago this weekend. Our area is a very ripe market as currently there are no competitors. We are extremely excited about this new venture and I'm learning more about wedding dresses than I ever thought I would know! Now begins a lot of work with renovating the lease space we have secured, ordering all the inventory, hiring employees, etc... I'm still working full-time for the fire department and will continue with that but I will also be working behind the scenes (because unless you put a wedding dress on with a torque wrench you don't want me helping!) at the store. This of course means that for now (until the business gets going well) my Jeep projects will continue to linger on the back burner, which sucks. However, I feel strongly that in the long-run this will be a great move for our family and that includes the Jeeps! So, if any of you or your family or friends are getting married in 2015 or later and are in the mid-Missouri area feel free to contact us and we will be glad to help any way we can!