WHEN entrepreneurial bride-to-be Nicole Godley discovered how expensive bridal gowns were she decided to start her own company to help women afford their own dream dress. The 21-year-old business student was shocked when she discovered the price of dresses for her and her four bridesmaids.
After mulling over her options, the Springfield resident met with a Brisbane wholesaler and decided to start her own business, Our Little Secret Bridal and Formal. Her dresses range in price from $100 to $350.
Ms Godley, who plans to operate from home and meet with brides by appointment, said basing herself from home enabled her to keep the costs low. She said it meant she was also able to offer brides a more personal touch than a larger retail chain. “I get the dresses from a wholesaler, so my prices are lower than a retailer,” Ms Godley said.
“If I do it from home I don’t have to worry about expenses such as rent. “And I don’t have staff, so it is just me I need to pay.”The Springfield resident has a range of different styles in stock and said she could order the dresses in a range of sizes.
“I thought I would get dresses that were a bit different,” Ms Godley said. “But I also wanted to have a range of different styles so women could figure out what style suits them the best.”
The 21-year-old, who is currently planning her wedding to fiance Jim in June next year, said she was looking forward to helping other brides.
“You can buy a dress online, but then you are not sure what type of dress you are getting and have an anxious wait until the dress arrives,” Ms Godley said.
“Or you can go to a store and buy a dress for a couple of thousand dollars, but then you are paying a lot of money for a dress you will only wear for a couple of hours. “I see myself as the middle man.
“Through me brides can find an awesome dress, know what they are going to look like and know it won’t cost the earth.”The business also stocks a range of affordably priced bridesmaids and formal dresses.