We recently connected with Michelle Ugorji and have shared our conversation below.
Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Being successful takes hard work, persistence, and perseverance. As a business owner, success begins with defining clear and specific goals. You need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and set realistic, measurable targets to achieve those goals.
Most importantly, success often requires a great deal of persistence and the ability to persevere through challenges and setbacks. It’s important to stay committed to your goals and not give up easily. For me, my story is a story of resilience and perseverance. I have experienced setbacks in my business like most business owners, the pandemic took a financial toll on my business and personal life. During that period, I was very deliberate in journaling my business goals, taking action by strategically refocusing my business model by providing drapery rental services to our clients as a result of the pandemic during that time.
Success rarely comes without hard work. Putting in the necessary effort and dedicating myself to my pursuits was crucial. This involves burning the midnight oil by working long hours, continuously learning, and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. As a lifelong learner, continuous learning and adaptability have taught me a great deal about success. One of the biggest lessons I learned during the pandemic and in my business is my willingness to adapt and evolve with changing circumstances. I learned to embrace new ideas for my business, acquire new skills, and be resilient in spite of setbacks.

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My natural love for fabrics and decorating was inspired by my mom. As a child, I watched my mom design homes and execute unparalleled imaginations flawlessly. My love for décor, deep passion for design, and appreciation for unique artistic pieces has always been a part of my life. This inspired me to master my craft and learn the intricate details of draping. As I transitioned from my professional career, I decided to take my passion and love for fabrics to the next level by becoming a Certified Event Designer; bringing the art of creativity, personal touch, and attention to detail to every project. While exploring different textiles of fabrics, I realized I had the ability to create masterpieces with fabrics which led me to launch Posh Drapes in 2018.
At Posh Drapes LLC, what sets us apart is our ability to provide quality boutique-style draping to clients who want more than an ordinary draping service. We are all about building relationships and creating a seamless experience for our clients. From the very first inquiry, booking, day of service, and post-service experience. Our boutique-style draping services allow us to curate beautiful designs and offerings; while creating the ultimate client experience. We provide draping services for micro and large weddings, birthday parties, engagement parties, intimate gatherings, social, and corporate events. Our clients have a deep appreciation for décor and style, Our drapery solutions help our clients cover boring walls, enhance the look of a space, and hide unflattering backgrounds. We have been able to identify a niche in the wedding and event industry that sets our business apart to meet our client’s specific needs.
Looking back on where I started, I am proud of the business growth, accomplishments, and most importantly, the meaningful partnerships and connections that have been made over the years. It has been a journey of growth and lessons; yet such an exciting and rewarding venture.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Our best source for new clients has always been the traditional word of mouth. I always tell my team, we have to execute every event with utmost excellence. It doesn’t matter if we get the smallest backdrop projects or large corporate events. Our ability to provide quality draping and excellent customer service has helped us build a great referral system. This has helped foster new client relationships and build our continuously growing customer base. We have invested in a great CRM system that enables us to strategically analyze our lead-generation processes. Google has also been very crucial in getting new clients for our business. We have a great Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in place to help us grow our clientele.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I have always had a business mindset from an early age. Hence, having multiple side hustles from selling skincare, jewelry, and everything in between gave me a clear understanding of savings and taking risks. I used my cash saving from my full-time job at the time and the money I saved from having multiple side hustles to generate the initial capital to start Posh Drapes. This was a major investment and I have no regrets. Over the years, I participated in pitch contests and grant programs to help secure more funds for my business.

Contact Info:
- Website: https://poshdrapes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poshdrapes/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/poshdrapes/
Image Credits
Ashley Melton Media Chip Dizard Photography Mesus Studios Michael & Jasmine Photography

