We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Samantha Porter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Samantha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
The name of my company is, at its core, a tribute to my father through my maiden surname, Setteducato. However, to describe it solely as such would oversimplify the deeper connection I have to it.
As a young girl, finding a distinct personal identity was a bit of a creative challenge—almost like my first branding project. If you were a ‘90s kid, you likely found yourself surrounded by at least three other Samanthas in every classroom, on every team, and in every extracurricular activity. If you were a brunette named Samantha in that era, you inevitably found yourself associated with or living in the shadow of Samantha Parkington, the American Girl Doll icon. Sams were a dime a dozen—or so it felt at the time.
In hindsight, my unique surname really was my lifeline to individuality and would eventually become a cornerstone of my brand. Around the age of 15, my friends began calling me “Sette” (pronounced SET-TEE) to differentiate me from the other Sams in our lives and classrooms. From that point forward, I really left Samantha behind and found myself as Sette.
Flash forward about seven years– I’d built a successful career as a hairstylist, a craft also inherited from my father (along with 2 of his brothers), and I needed a name for my growing business. Since my reputation in bridal styling had become a defining aspect of my work, I knew I wanted “Brides” to be part of the name, but needed that little splash of individuality for brand recognition purposes. Incorporating “Sette” was the perfect way to fold in my own journey to individuality, while finding a way to nod to the career and unique identity that I will always align with my dad and our family name. And here we are, celebrating about 10+ years of Brides by Sette!
Samantha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Samantha Porter—a 35-year-old bridal hairstylist, educator, and business owner with 15 years of experience in the beauty and bridal industries. As the daughter of a hairdresser and entrepreneurs, I grew up in an environment that was as creative as it was driven. Watching my father’s hands shape beautiful hairstyles and my mother’s entrepreneurial spirit in action, I was inspired to pursue a career where I could combine both my love for creativity and business.
I specialize in bridal hair, but my passion goes beyond just the hairstyle itself. My focus is on full bridal look styling—everything from the perfect hairstyle to the flawless integration of accessories, veils, and overall fashion. I believe that a bride’s look should be cohesive and reflect her unique personality and style, which is why I take a holistic approach to each client’s transformation.
In addition to hands-on styling, I’m also a bridal hair educator, helping other stylists develop their craft and elevate their skills. It’s incredibly rewarding to share the knowledge I’ve gained over the years and help others succeed in this ever-evolving industry.
Since the business has grown over the past decade and a half, we have started offering team services beyond just mine! I understand how important it is to have a team that is just as dedicated and skilled as I am, so I’ve carefully curated a team of talented stylists who can help bring the same level of excellence to your wedding day.
Looking ahead, I’m planning to expand my business even further by incorporating my background in fashion and design. I’ve always had a love for fashion and I’m excited to bring that into the bridal world in the next 2-5 years. From bridal styling to the latest trends in wedding fashion, I can’t wait to elevate the bridal experience even more.
At the end of the day, my mission is simple: to help brides look and feel their most beautiful and confident selves on the most important day of their lives. I’m so grateful to be part of such a meaningful and intimate moment, and I can’t wait to continue working with incredible brides in the years to come.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
As a creative, one of the biggest things I’ve come to understand is that creativity isn’t always about constant inspiration or a lightbulb moment—it’s a lot of hard work, perseverance, and problem-solving.The reality is that creativity is about pushing through moments when you feel stuck, making decisions based on instinct, and embracing imperfection.
What some people might struggle to understand is how much emotional and mental energy goes into a creative career. We are not just “doing hair” or “designing” or “styling” as some might think—we’re constantly problem-solving, managing expectations, and navigating the personal and emotional aspects of our clients’ needs. For example, when I work with brides, it’s not just about creating a beautiful hairstyle—it’s about understanding their vision, helping them feel confident, and ensuring their personality shines through in their overall look. It’s a collaborative process that requires deep listening and empathy, and that emotional investment can be exhausting at times.
One thing that I think is often undervalued in creative industries is earnestness—showing up authentically and with true intention. It’s so important to be earnest in your work because that’s what sets you apart. In a world full of trends and noise, what truly resonates is the nuance of your individuality. When you bring your authentic self to what you do, your work becomes more meaningful—not just to you, but to your clients as well. Earnestness means that you’re not simply going through the motions; you’re engaging with your craft from a place of honesty and vulnerability, and it allows your true essence to shine through.
For me, this has been key to building my business and connecting with my clients. I deeply believe that empathy should lead your connection with others, whether it’s with a client, a team member, or a collaborator. I strive to be present and genuinely connect with each person I work with—whether that means understanding their story, hearing their concerns, or simply showing that I care about making them feel confident and beautiful. That authenticity isn’t just something I believe in—it’s woven into every aspect of my work.
Overall, I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on my journey is that creativity is about persistence and humility. It’s not just about waiting for inspiration to strike; it’s about showing up every day, doing the work, and staying open to where the process takes you. And sometimes, the greatest ideas come when you’re not forcing them, but when you’ve put in the hours and laid the foundation for something new to emerge.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Building my reputation in this industry has been about showing up with authenticity, empathy, and thoroughness in everything I do. From the beginning, I’ve always believed that in order to truly stand out, you need to be unapologetically yourself. When you’re earnest in your approach, you not only set yourself apart, but you also create a deeper connection with those you serve.
Empathy has also been a huge factor. When you work in a creative field like bridal styling, it’s not just about creating a beautiful look—it’s about understanding and connecting with the person in front of you. Every bride is unique, with her own vision, story, and set of emotions tied to her wedding day. Taking the time to listen and truly understand my clients has helped me build a reputation as someone who’s not just there to do a job, but someone who cares about the bigger picture and is fully invested in making their day as special as possible.
On top of being empathetic, being thorough is integral. This means showing the clients that they are worth spending time on. Not only make sure they feel like no detail is too small, but to educate them on all of the choices you’re making on their behalf. This is what really sets me and my company apart, the trust building. When clients have access to transparency, education, and thorough care—they trust you implicitly.
Reputation isn’t built overnight; it’s earned over time by showing up with consistency, integrity, and a willingness to connect with others on a human level. I’ve always aimed to be thorough in my craft, to listen carefully to what my clients need, and to create an experience that’s not only beautiful but meaningful. I’m so fortunate and grateful to see how it’s helped the business grow so organically through personal referrals, testimonials, and human connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bridesbysette.com
- Instagram: @bridesbysette
- Facebook: Brides by Sette
Image Credits
First photo of Samantha – Pauline St. Denis Photography
next two photos blonde & Samantha- Hideki Falcon
next photo (4th) of Samantha- Lauren Romandetti
Last three photos blonde updo and Samantha- Laura Huertas Photo