Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah McKechnie.
Hi Mariah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Weddings have been my world for over 15 years, as a wedding planner, florist, decorator, and general lover of love. I have always enjoyed fashion and especially delighted in my Brides and their gowns. For years, I would look out the window from my Event business, Northland Special Events, and say to the Team, “Someday we’ll open a Bridal shop in that storefront across the street.” Apparently, my intuition already knew it would be my destiny.
In 2022, we bought that building – The Bagley Building – in downtown Duluth, MN. After renovating most of the building and moving in our family of businesses, my daughter Lily cornered me one day with a request…could we please revisit this Bridal shop dream and could she be part of bringing it to life?
From the time my twin daughters, Lily and Josephine, were very tiny, their world was weddings… they would watch Say Yes To The Dress, curled up on the floor in the poufy skirt of my wedding gown… they were always wearing their wedding dress Halloween costumes everywhere we went, and their school bus dropped them off at Northland Special Events, where they spent their afternoons setting up elaborate wedding tablescapes….it is only fitting they would some day want a role of their own and it is no surprise it’s all about the wedding dresses.
The rest unfolds here at Josephine’s Bridal – named after Lily’s identical twin sister (that’s a story for another day). It is a Bridal Shop designed to make our clients feel like the Queens they deserve to be, to lift them up with the most warm, loving, and joyful shopping experience possible. Creating special event experiences has been my life and now I look forward to bringing that to Brides, on a very special day in their wedding planning journey. Someday soon, we’ll also add women’s formal wear and prom gowns, bringing a new era of women’s fashion to the Bagley Building (another story to come here too!) We can’t wait to help you find your dream dress at Josephine’s!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When a business is truly meant to be, bringing it to life doesn’t have to be hard. This was the case for Josephine’s Bridal. From the first time we discussed we would name it, to the final touches before we opened the doors, the process was easy and has continued to be through the first year. The business is so aligned with my core values and purpose and that shows in the boutique, in our service, in our gowns, and in our overall experience. Of course, their are always bumps along the way, but I use these more as guideposts than hinderances. If I feel friction, I course correct.
I was able to secure funding through three wonderful organizations in Duluth – The 1200 Fund, The Entrepreneur Fund, and The Northland Foundation. This funding gave me the seed capital I needed to renovate the storefront, order start up inventory and hire staff. In the first year of business, I met my sales and profitablity goals and had a blast working with Brides and their families to find their dream dresses. I am so excited about what the future holds!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At our Downtown Duluth boutique, brides can discover exclusive designer collections not found anywhere else in the region, paired with inclusive sizing and transparent pricing for a stress-free experience. We offer a relaxed, appointment-based atmosphere with the flexibility of walk-ins, all in a convenient downtown Duluth location with easy parking to make your visit seamless.
From Duluth, Superior, Hermantown, Two Harbors, Cloquet, the Iron Range, Thunder Bay, and across Northern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin, brides choose Josephine’s Bridal for our personalized service, inclusive sizing, and exclusive gown collections. Many make the trip specifically for our unique designs and intimate shopping experience.
We promise you an bridal shopping experience where you feel BEAUTIFUL, SEEN, and HEARD.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I am a huge advocate for business coaching, mentoring, and mastermind groups. I have worked with one or all of these services throughout my career and I wouldn’t be where I am today with out them. As an entrepreneur, it is hard to have peers, especially when you have a lot of employees. I have always needed someone objective to bounce ideas off, listen to my concerns, and ultimately tell me honestly when I am wrong – or on the right track. I highly recommend finding the right combination of support for any journey you are on – business or otherwise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.josephinesduluth.com
- Instagram: josephinesduluth
- Facebook: josephinesbridal
