Today we’d like to introduce you to Dareth Colburn.
Dareth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always loved all things fashion and weddings. When I was a young girl, I lit up when my mother taught me how to sew. Since then, I have been creating and designing.
Fast forward 20 years, I was a single mother without a fulfilling career and took a giant leap into fashion and bridal to begin the career of my dreams. I started an e-commerce website with five veils and five headpieces, selling everything from my tiny apartment with my 3-year old daughter alongside. I was a one-woman show taking on web design, customer service, operations marketing, shipping and receiving, design and photography.
Today, we have employees dedicated to all these functions and sell across multiple e-commerce channels. USABride has expanded to over a thousand headpieces, veils and jewelry and even bridesmaid dresses. Our headquarters has evolved from my tiny apartment to office suites in downtown Beverly.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think every business experiences challenges along the way. Some are daily challenges and some are bigger, gut-wrenching “keep you up all night” kind of challenges.
If you are not experiencing some kind of challenge on a regular basis, then you’re not pushing outside the boundaries of your comfort zone, and that’s where the magic of creation really happens.
I’ve had challenges in just about every area of business; from choosing the right computer, networking equipment, office layout, order processing software, finding reliable vendors, hiring the right people and more. Every time the business grows to a new level, there are more challenges, but that’s the fun part.
It’s how you respond to these challenges that makes all the difference. When something goes less than perfect, I look for the “win.” The win could be something that I learned or it could be the opportunity to go in a different direction or see something I didn’t see before; a “win” is something that I can use to continue to build upon and better USABride.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about USABride – what should we know?
USABride is online retailer featuring the finest selection of wedding headpieces, veils, jewelry and more. As a “Best of Weddings” Winner on The Knot, we know every bride has a vision for that moment she walks down the aisle–from the dresses her bridesmaids wear to the headpiece in her hair.
USABride offers designs in high quantity and quality that brides will not find anywhere else and prices that are more affordable than your typical bridal shop. We carry eight bridesmaid dress brand from beloved designers including Dessy, After Six, Alfred Sung, Jenny Yoo, Social, Lela Rose, Bill Levkoff and Bari Jay. Our team of expert stylists are driven by their love for bridal to go above and beyond each day connecting with brides across the globe to help find the perfect piece for their wedding day.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The success of USABride in large part can be credited to our fantastic team, the unwavering support of friends and family as well as many mentors throughout the years. I look at a mentor as anyone I can learn from; this can be at a live course or seminar, reading a book, blog post or even listening to a TED Talk.
Back when I was beginning my business, I attended a weekend seminar with Tony Robbins; it was his famous fire walk. I assumed that the weekend would be packed with seminars and sessions culminating with a fire walk. Much to my surprise, the walk across burning hot coals was within hours of arrival. That event changed my life and my belief systems. It showed me that something that you see as impossible, you can accomplish. It’s all about what you believe.
When it comes to growing my business, I feel that there is always more to learn and ways to improve; I like to say that “good enough” is the kiss of death. Because of this, I am always hungry to learn more.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The success of USABride in large part can be credited to our fantastic team, the unwavering support of friends and family as well as many mentors throughout the years. I look at a mentor as anyone I can learn from; this can be at a live course or seminar, reading a book, blog post or even listening to a TED Talk.
Back when I was beginning my business, I attended a weekend seminar with Tony Robbins; it was his famous fire walk. I assumed that the weekend would be packed with seminars and sessions culminating with a fire walk. Much to my surprise, the walk across burning hot coals was within hours of arrival. That event changed my life and my belief systems. It showed me that something that you see as impossible, you can accomplish. It’s all about what you believe.
When it comes to growing my business, I feel that there is always more to learn and ways to improve; I like to say that “good enough” is the kiss of death. Because of this, I am always hungry to learn more.
Pricing:
- Headpieces range from $40-$150
- Veils range from $40-$250
- Jewelry ranges from $20-$150
- Bridesmaid dresses range from $150-$265
Contact Info:
- Address: 3 Broadway
Suite 203
Beverly, MA 01915 - Website: www.usabride.com
- Phone: 8667169899
- Email: help@usabride.com
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