We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily Gorman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Success is about finding a balance between chasing your goals and living a life that feels meaningful to you. It’s not just about external achievements, but about knowing what really matters to you and staying true to that. It takes self-awareness, the ability to learn from failures, and surrounding yourself with people who support and lift you up. Ultimately, success is personal—it’s about defining it for yourself and being open to growing along the way.
I find success in making my customers happy on their special day. Helping them find the most important garment they will ever wear. Seeing them on their wedding day feeling beautiful and confident in their dress always brings happiness and joy.

Emily, 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?

At the age of 16, I started working in the bridal industry that would eventually shape my future. Starting out in a store that I now proudly own and assisting a wedding planner and decorator ignited a passion within me. Witnessing the profound impact of being a part of such a significant moment in someone’s life filled me with so much joy.

The emotional connections I formed with each bride, sharing in their tears of happiness, reinforced my dream of owning a bridal store one day. The opportunity to acquire the store I had poured my heart into arose when I was just 19. Together with my mom we decided to purchase the business.

Over the past decade, the journey of owning and running this business has been nothing short of magical. Guiding women to find their perfect dress, witnessing their transformation into a beautiful bride, has been a truly remarkable experience. The thrill of being a part of such a special moment in their lives is something I cherish deeply, and it fuels my passion every day.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One key factor in the growth of my business has been dedicating time to reading and listening to content focused on business growth. I’ve found great value in the work of Alan Berg, who offers a diverse range of insightful material. Two of my favorites are “If Your Website Was an Employee, Would You Fire It?” and “Why Don’t They Call Me?”—both of which have provided practical advice that I’ve applied directly to my business. I also regularly listen to Dave Ramsey’s podcast, which has been instrumental in helping me maintain financial discipline, both for my business and personal finances. His advice has allowed me to stay debt-free, increase my cash flow, and maintain the financial flexibility to reinvest in my company.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I’ve come to realize that the true strength of our business lies in collaboration, not competition. Rather than viewing other stores in our area as rivals, we’ve fostered a sense of community, where each of us brings something unique to the table. By working together, we all have the opportunity to thrive and stand out in our own way. Building strong relationships with fellow professionals and actively participating in community events has only strengthened this bond. It’s through these connections that we can create a more vibrant and supportive local ecosystem, where everyone prospers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emilyraes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyraeslongview
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyraeslongview
• Other: tiktok: www.tiktok.com/emilyraeslongview

Image Credits

Sweet Smile Photography