We recently connected with Julia Parisi and have shared our conversation below.

Julia, appreciate you joining us today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?

At The Bridal Collection, we are guided by a number of core values, but the two that resonate most deeply with me are beauty and celebration. Everything we do in our store is rooted in the desire to discover beauty in each moment and to honor the special milestones in our customers’ lives. Whether it’s a high school student searching for the perfect prom dress or a bride finding the gown they have always dreamed of, we consider it a privilege to be part of those meaningful experiences.

We have a motto that captures the heart of what we strive to create for every guest: magic moments. These are the times when we go beyond expectations to show just how much we care. A magic moment is more than exceptional service—it’s a reflection of our commitment to making each customer feel celebrated, valued, and truly seen.

Each Prom season, we proudly partner with our local community to support Night to Shine—a complimentary, unforgettable prom night experience for individuals with special needs, hosted by local churches. Every January, we close our store for an evening to host a private shopping event exclusively for twenty Night to Shine attendees. During this special night, each guest selects a dress of their choice, and every dress they say “yes” to is donated to them with love.

For me, this is the most meaningful and rewarding event I’ve ever been part of. It’s a powerful reminder of why we do what we do—and a beautiful expression of how deeply we care for both our customers and our community.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hello! My name is Julia Parisi. I’m 25 years old and currently a manager at the highest-rated bridal shop in Denver. I’ve been in the bridal and formalwear industry for three years, and it has truly become my passion.

Joining the bridal industry and working at The Bridal Collection was never something I planned. I had been pursuing a teaching degree during the height of the pandemic, and as graduation approached, I realized I wasn’t quite ready to step into the classroom. Then, during a wedding dress shopping trip with my sister at The Bridal Collection, something unexpected happened—I ran into a stylist who had sold me my prom dress at TBC Occasions years earlier. She remembered me and, in passing, mentioned that they were hiring. It felt serendipitous. I applied, not knowing what to expect—and the rest is history.

What started as a spontaneous decision has turned into such a fulfilling chapter of my life. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a team that celebrates life’s most meaningful moments, and I wouldn’t change a thing about how I got here.

I manage and oversee our Special Occasions department, called TBC Occasions, which specializes in dresses for Homecoming, Prom, Quinceañeras, and Mothers of the Bride and Groom. I often describe this department as a bridge to bridal. Our hope is that the young women who shop with us for their Prom or their Quinceañera will one day return as brides, remembering the incredible experience they had with us. I feel incredibly fortunate to celebrate customers through so many meaningful stages of life.

Of all the areas I work in, helping prom customers is especially rewarding. For many of these young women, it’s their first time wearing a formal gown—and the first time they’ve truly felt beautiful in one. At TBC Occasions, we offer more than just dresses. We provide a one-of-a-kind shopping experience that simply can’t be matched online or in department stores. Our trained stylists are there every step of the way to guide, support, and style each customer with care and expertise. We aim to create a lasting memory

This isn’t just a store—it’s a place where every guest feels celebrated and seen. At TBC Occasions, we aim to create memories that last long after the event itself. We want each customer to look back on their experience with us and remember how special, confident, and beautiful they felt—that they were truly the center of a magical moment.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

As a high school student, I often felt overwhelmed and unsure about what I wanted to pursue as a career. Eighteen is such a young age to make decisions about your future, and at the time, I didn’t feel like I had enough real-world experience to truly understand what I enjoyed or where I could thrive.

That’s exactly why I now oversee and lead the internship program at TBC Occasions, designed specifically for high school students interested in sales and marketing within our Prom department. This hands-on opportunity allows them to gain practical experience, explore their strengths, and develop valuable skills that can help shape their future career paths. I believe deeply in the power of early exposure, and I only wish there had been more opportunities like this when I was younger. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of helping the next generation discover their potential.

If more opportunities or resources had been made available, choosing and pursuing a career may not have been so scary!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the idea that I’m too young to be successful. I became a manager at just 22 years old, and for a long time, I struggled with impostor syndrome. I often felt like I didn’t measure up—intimidated by the more experienced and senior managers around me, constantly questioning whether I was truly capable.

But over time, as I grew more confident in my role and felt the unwavering support of my team, I began to realize that leadership isn’t defined by age—it’s defined by passion, dedication, and the willingness to keep learning. While I’ve made great strides, I know this is still a work in progress. Imposter syndrome is something that many of us will continue to battle throughout our careers, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t define me. It’s about showing up every day, doing the work, and embracing the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tbcoccasions.com/
• Instagram: tbc.occasions
• Facebook: TBC Occasions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-parisi-7485aa32b
• Other: The Bridal Collection: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bridal-collection-co/posts/?feedView=all

Image Credits

Sarah Lindsay Photography: @sarahlindsayphotography (all the professional photos are hers)