We were lucky to catch up with Mariam Ohanyan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mariam, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

The key to my success is simple: passion. When you love what you do and give it your all, success naturally follows. My social media presence is a testament to this—my brides see my face, get to know me, and trust me even before they step into my store. It’s about creating a genuine connection.
Equally important is the company you keep. Surround yourself with cheerleaders, those who get inspired by your journey and genuinely want to see you succeed. Avoid those who pull you down or make you feel unworthy. The best advice I can give is to let go of negativity. When you’re surrounded by supportive people, the sky’s the limit.
Loving what you do and having a strong support system are crucial because hard work alone isn’t enough. I’ve seen many hardworking individuals who are drained because they don’t enjoy what they do. I once had someone tell me I’d be nothing without them. Well, the joke’s on them because being true to myself has been my greatest gift and strength.

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

I am Mariam, the proud owner of Mareh Couture, a luxury bridal store in the heart of San Luis Obispo, California. Additionally, I own Bridal Wear by Mareh, a luxury lingerie line for brides, and Atelier Mareh, which offers a collection of handmade, customized wedding gowns.

My job is simple yet profound: to find you the most important dress of your life. With so many bridal stores and designers out there, what sets me apart is my commitment to more than just selling a dress. If I feel in my heart that it’s not the right wedding dress for you, I won’t sell it. For example, a bride came in with her best friend, who later messaged me on Instagram saying she was engaged and couldn’t wait to come back for her dress. She did, and then her school friend, inspired by her photos on social media, came to me too. Why? Because I create memories that last a lifetime.

I am the one who answers your texts and calls whenever you need, who ensures your gown arrives on time, and who genuinely shares in your happiness. I am the girl who finds your dress because I’ve seen it all and know exactly what you need and how you will look. It’s literally my job, and I care deeply about each bride. That’s the most important thing a bride can ask for.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

This is especially fun for me because it brings me back to my core belief: stay true to yourself. Building my social media presence meant embracing the fact that I would be the face of my business. Many small business owners hesitate to step into the spotlight, but I believe it’s crucial to show who you are. When I support a small business, I want to know who I am supporting.

In my stories, you’ll see my family, my friends, my daily work life—I’m an open book. If you follow along and enjoy my funny reels or think, ‘This girl is cool, why not support her?’ then that’s a win. This year, my store won California Wedding Day’s Best Bridal Store in San Luis Obispo County award. I screamed and jumped up and down when I heard my name, and my friend secretly recorded the moment. I shared that video on Instagram, capturing a genuine, unplanned moment of joy.

The response was incredible—so many of my brides shared the video, feeling like they were right there with me. This connection is because I’ve always been open with my followers. My best advice is to be yourself. If you have 13k followers but only 10 likes, your audience isn’t genuinely engaged. If you have a bridal store with thousands of followers but follow only a few people, it shows a lack of connection with your clients. I follow back my brides and their families, cheering them on every step of the way.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Being present is the key. I often marvel at how small the world is when I meet someone connected to a friend or family member of a previous client. I never miss an opportunity to support my industry friends, and they, in turn, support me. My brides share their joy with their loved ones, creating a beautiful, full-circle effect. What you give is what you get.

Earlier in 2024, I had my bridal fashion show, the first of its kind in our area. The overwhelming support from my industry friends was heartwarming and invaluable. It’s all about lifting each other up. Referrals, friendships, honest work ethics, and genuine care—that’s how I’ve built my reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marehcouture.com
• Instagram: @marehcouture
• Facebook: Mareh Couture

Image Credits

Kelley Williams Photography
Patrick Ang Photography
All My Stars Photography
Sheff Production, California Wedding Day