From Part-Time Job to Dream Career: My Story at The Bridal Corner

By Jillian Benfield-Trant | Owner of The Bridal Corner

If you had told college-aged me that I would one day own The Bridal Corner, I probably would have laughed. Not because I didn't think I could own a business, but because owning a bridal store wasn't even remotely on my radar.

Honestly, I just needed a part-time job.

At the time, I was working part-time at another local boutique (shoutout to Dear Boutique!) and needed a little extra income to pay for some questionable financial decisions. You know, like absolutely needing an apartment with my college friends and a new car. Priorities, right?

The Bridal Corner happened to be hiring, and I figured, why not?

I interviewed, got the job, and started working. And I'll be honest with you, I didn't exactly fall in love with it overnight.

I was overwhelmed. There was SO much to learn. I didn't understand half of what was going on, and for a while, I felt like an outsider trying to find my place.

But slowly, things started clicking.

I sold my first wedding gown. I finally figured out how to measure for tuxedos. I learned how to navigate bridesmaid orders without feeling completely lost. And somewhere along the way, I started looking at the store a little differently.

I wasn't just learning how things worked anymore. I was imagining what they could look like.

Meanwhile, I was still in college, changing my major practically every semester and trying to figure out what in the world I wanted to do with my life.

Then, about nine months into working at The Bridal Corner, I had a realization.

Wait a minute. I think I want to stay here.

Not just until graduation. Not just until I found a "real job."

I wanted this to be my career.

Of course, realizing that and actually doing something about it were two very different things.

It took me another nine months to work up the nerve (or, as I like to say, find my lady balls) to walk into the owner's office and tell her what I was thinking.

I finally sat down with Mrs. Liz and said something along the lines of, "Whenever you're ready to retire, I want to take over your store."

What followed was one of those moments I'll never forget. There were happy tears, hugs, and a whole lot of excitement.

Mrs. Liz had spent decades building The Bridal Corner, and knowing she believed I was capable of continuing what she'd started meant the world to me.

And here's a fun little coincidence: Mrs. Liz and I actually share the same birthday, November 10! Apparently, bridal shop owners are just born that day. 😂

Neither of us was quite ready to make that change just yet. She wasn't ready to sell, and I certainly wasn't ready to buy.

But about a year later, we were.

In 2019, I officially became the owner of The Bridal Corner.

And one of the things I'll forever be grateful for is that Mrs. Liz stayed on and worked for me for the same amount of time I had worked for her before purchasing the store.

I can't begin to explain how valuable that was.

Mrs. Liz opened The Bridal Corner in 1984, and she had spent decades building a business, learning the industry, and creating systems that worked. I was fortunate enough to learn directly from her, not just as her employee, but eventually as the person stepping into her shoes.

Since purchasing the store, we've changed quite a bit.

We've remodeled, updated technology, expanded departments, and even said goodbye to a few departments along the way. We've adapted to a changing bridal industry and continued figuring out how to make The Bridal Corner the best version of itself.

But what I love is that, underneath all those changes, so much of what Mrs. Liz created is still here.

We still use systems she developed decades ago because, quite frankly, they work! Some of the most valuable things about this business aren't the newest or prettiest. They're the little processes and lessons that have been passed down over the years.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have learned from someone with nearly 40 years of experience, especially at such a young age.

And the funny thing is, I'm still learning.

Every single day.

The bridal industry changes. Technology changes. Brides change. And as a business owner, I've learned that you either keep growing with it or get left behind.

Which brings me to this blog!

After all these years, I figured it was time to create a little space where we can share what we've learned, answer some of the questions we hear every day, talk about bridal fashion, and maybe give you a peek behind the scenes of our little corner of downtown Thibodaux.

So whether you're a bride, a mom, a longtime customer, or someone who just happened to stumble across our website, welcome!

I'm so glad you're here.

With love,

Jillian

Owner, The Bridal Corner