This week we have another special guest. Businessourway.com caught up with Mary Chatman. Chatman is the owner of Blackbride.com, the premier online resource for brides of color! When it comes to a wedding , it is a happy and important time for couples, but it is also a stressful time because of all the planning involved in putting the perfect wedding together. Blackbride.com was created to make that special day a little easier by bringing you all the resources you need. Blackbride.com also created a bridal show to answer your wedding planning questions and provide interactive access to the best exhibitors in the business.
- Tell us your story, how you got started, where did the idea come from, etc.
I acquired BB through acquisition because in the wedding industry, you very rarely see women of color featured online, in print, on the bridal fashion runway, or on television. BlackBride.com was actually started by a Caucasian women who identified a need in a niche market that lacked cultural style at the time. Her desire was and still is to see more women of color featured online, in print, on the bridal fashion runway, and on television. African-Americans spend more than $1.6 billion annually on weddings. Since passing the baton to me, the new owner of BlackBride.com, we have married the vision of the previous owner, to my vision for the company. They coincide and we have vowed to carry the torch in shining the light on brides of color in an elegant, chic, couture manner, while providing them with the best resources in planning one of the most important days of a woman’s life.
2. In such a competitive industry, what measures are you taking to stay ahead of the competition?
As a rule, we don’t necessarily think of ‘competitors’, however, we always ask ourselves what’s important to our target audiences and what can we do to help them. We know trends are important and with the popularity of social media, intimate and unique experiences take us a long way.
3. Has doing The Bridal Show helped you increase business?
Absolutely, we are going into our third year – January 13, 2013 and we’re excited! Each year our show gets bigger and better. This year we even have our very own bridal gown collection that will be debuting.
4.How has social media made it easier to market to potential clients and get their feedback?
Social media has helped us to create a professional online network to market to. We have gained new brides and exhibitors from our social media sites. FaceBook is one of them and is a great way to send out invitations as well.
5. What are your future plans for your company?
We are creating a brand. We have several new product launches underway. Our new wedding gown collection for an example, we are making history in our collaborative effort with Therez Fleetwood Bridal. We are also taking the bridal show on the road nationally and internationally.
We also have strong core values, we believe in marriage. We plan to continue to build our After the Aisle section on the website to support couples long after the “I do’s”, providing content from our resident experts; everything from financial and relationship tips and advice, to home buying, interior design ideas and more.
6.How has being an entrepreneur, been beneficial to you?
Being an entrepreneur gives me the freedom and flexibility to be creative and innovative. For an example our Luxury Bridal Shows created for brides of color. It also provides a high degree of personal satisfaction doing what I love to do.
7. Knowing what you know now, what would you do different, if you could start over?
The company was acquired, so we are having fun rebranding, and it feels like a new start-up which is very exciting! In our efforts so far, there isn’t one thing that I would have done differently.
8.What are some of the ways you give back to the community?
Last year we partnered with Brides Against Breast Cancer and donated the winning dress to a lucky bride that attended our event and we’re doing it again this year. We believe in effecting our communities in positive ways – promoting love and family as well as tangible gifts. We give great prizes at our shows! One bride won a couture wedding gown by Allure Bridals valued at $2500 last year and another couple won a 7-day honeymoon to a European castle.
Mary Chatman
wwww.blackbride.com
