Charles Rogers arranges formal dresses for sale at Dreammakers Rentals and Wedding Consignment.Map
2749 Lafayette Rd
Name: Dreammakers Rentals and Wedding Consignment
Location: 2749 Lafayette Road
Owner: Sondra Rogers, 706-820-6013
Products/services: Dreammakers specializes in wedding dresses but also stocks prom dress, ball gowns and other formal wear. About half of the 150 dresses in Dreammaker's' stock are unworn, tag included, Rogers said. Dreammakers also sells tablecloths and chair covers.
Age: Rogers and her husband, Charlie, started selling low-priced tablecloths and chair covers for weddings nearly four years ago. As that business grew, Rogers decided to expand to a storefront and add wedding dresses to the mix. Dreammakers officially opened a month ago.
Startup investment: Rogers invested about $5,000 of her money to open the storefront. Starting the business out of her home took a $500 investment.
Target market: Anyone looking for a formal dress on a budget. Dreammakers also offers layaway on its dresses, which range from $150 to $1,000.
Biggest hurdle: Building up inventory. As a consignment shop, Dreammakers largely relies on customers bringing in the store's inventory. But inventory is growing. When Rogers opened Dreammakers a month ago, she had just three dresses. Now she's up to 150. "If I had more dresses, I could sell them in a heartbeat," she said.
Biggest reward: Helping brides. Rogers said that since high school she's wanted to be at a job where she helps women look beautiful on their wedding day. If she doesn't have a dress in stock that a woman is looking for, she'll take notes and call them as soon as something comes in. "Just seeing the smiles on their faces really makes it worth it," she said.
Lesson learned: Advertising is important. Rogers said she feels her business is set up for success, but she needs more people bringing in dresses. "Just getting the word out to let people know we are here, that's been the biggest thing we've had to learn to deal with," she said.
Five-year goal: Rogers hopes her clothing selection will continue to expand and she'll be able to grow her shop. She's already eyeing some space adjacent to her store so she can add tuxedos.