We recently connected with Kathy Baxley-Stewart and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kathy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

When owning your own business, the main thing it takes to be successful is customer service. Something I have done from day one is always, always, always return calls and emails in a timely manner. It doesn’t matter what else is on your plate on any given day, returning those calls or emails is key to letting clients know how important they are to your business and to you. Typically I always contact them within 24 hours.

One thing I always tell my clients is, “If you’re happy, then I’m happy.” It’s a win-win when you can go above and beyond to make a client want to come back and do business with you again.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

What many may not know is that I bought this Bridal Show business when I was 48. Before that, I worked in the Event/Planning Industry through a large local church. I had always wanted to own my own business and when this became available, I jumped right in. The Charleston Bridal Show provides a platform for brides and grooms to see so much of what Wedding Professionals here in Charleston have to offer them. In one day a couple can literally see hundreds of Professionals and save the time and gas money it would have taken to go all over town interviewing them. We offer time with venue owners, musicians, florists, photographers, caterers, salons and so, so much more any bride and groom might need for the wedding. In many instances, they see things at a Bridal Show that they didn’t even know they wanted for their own wedding. Trends and fashions abound here! Also, there are always food samples, cake samples and bar services to try as well.

The Charleston Bridal Show mostly caters to the couples who have a healthy budget for their wedding and are ready to choose only the best of the best for their special day. But with that being said, ideas for a unique and fashionable wedding, even for the budget friendly, are there to lure even the most DIY bride and groom. The Charleston Bridal Show presents with quality professionals who always have attention to detail as their top priority.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

We have so many returning clients that have done business with us in every single show ever since I’ve owned this show…and that’s been 15 years! I always do what is in my power to do to make sure it’s the absolute best Bridal Show in which a Wedding Professional can participate. Once a show has ended we begin advertising almost immediately for the next one. We do two shows per year. One Winter and one Summer. This way it stays fresh in the minds of our current clients, but also reaches out to new clients who may have just heard about us.

In any given show we average 25% new clientele, which is great as it helps keep us current as well as puts new business owners in front of brides and grooms.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2008 when I bought this business, I first thought it would be an easy job. Not so. Not so at all. Many had not heard of the previous owner and knew nothing about the show. It was at that time I decided to change the name of the show from A Wonderful Wedding to The Charleston Bridal Show. After all, no other shows had that name and I thought of course Charleston needed its own Bridal Show that showcased the best of the best in Wedding Professionals. Once that was done, I literally walked the pavement going from store to store, business to business, introducing myself. At first no one wanted to pay top dollar for a show they had never heard of. My first 3 years of doing the show were successful for my clients as I had to do the work of advertising to brides and grooms, but success for me wasn’t so much. Many booth spaces were sold at little or no profit for me. I had to prove myself in the Industry before I became successful. I had to prove that I would follow through on what I had promised. It was then that I realized how important it was to return calls and emails promptly. Placing importance on how important these clients were to me was key. That still stands to this day. My clients are the MOST important. Without their success, I can’t be successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thecharlestonbridalshow.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/charlestonbridalshow
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/charlestonbridalshow
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/kathybaxleystewart
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/charlestonbridalshow