An Interview with the owner of Brooklyn Bridal & Prom, Janet Kapa
Question: How long has you shop been here and how did you get started?
Janet: I have been a wedding planner for about 15 years now. In the beginning, I was strictly a wedding planner and coordinator for brides and grooms. As I was planning my own wedding in 2005 I had trouble finding consistent and reliable customer service at our local bridal shops. Therefore, after a few years of marital bliss, I decided to utilize my experience and resources in the wedding planning business. With the support from my family and friends I opened Brooklyn Bridal & Prom, a full service formal wear boutique so that every customer can enjoy a memorable and fun shopping experience.
Question: We love the designers you carry but what makes you different than the other shops who carry them?
Janet: As a professional consultant, it is our job to get to know you. We want to learn about you and your needs. You are important to us. If all you need is a dress then we can help you find the best style, color, and fit for your personality. But, we’re not here to just sell you a dress. We want you to LOVE the entire process. We do a lot of hand-holding for our brides. So, if you need more attention and have a lot of questions then we are here to answer them. If we do not have the product you are looking for we will make every effort to find it for you or point you in the right direction.
Question: Am I going to be able to afford your dresses or your services?
Janet: Yes, we make it a point to be affordable! We work with all budgets. We cater to women who have the highest expectations and that includes conscientious shoppers. You can purchase a new designer gown with the assistance of your consultant (this will ensure you get the proper size) or you can take advantage of one of our retired styles and purchase off-the-rack. Either way, your gown will need altering to ensure you are getting the most beautiful fit! If you purchase your gown from us we have a seamstress who can help you here in our boutique.
Question: How do I know of you can help me?
Janet: If you are the kind of person who values our expert opinion and wants honest feedback from a reliable consultant then you will benefit from shopping with us. We are in the business to make you look and feel beautiful. We will not let you purchase something ridiculous. You want to look back at your pictures years from now and think, “I really loved that dress”. We don’t sell junk. We don’t sell “cheap” made products. You want a gown that is beautiful, fits great, and is high quality. You will get a lot for your hard-earned money.
If you are the type of person who is simply looking for the best deal regardless of level of service then this is not the shop for you. We will ask you thought provoking questions in order to realize the gown you need to fit your taste and personality. If you don’t like to make conversation and are a closed-minded person you will not benefit from our level of service.
Question: My schedule is so hectic! Why do I have to make an appointment? Can’t I just browse and then come back later if I like what I see?
Janet: While we don’t like to turn away walk-ins, we need to warn you that if you drop by unannounced, there are two potential problems. 1. We may be with an appointment and we cannot pull ourselves away to answer your questions and/or 2. We cannot share with you all the inventory because it is not all on the showroom floor at all times. Due to our quaint, limited space, we have decided to schedule everyone by appointment. Each customer is assigned a private consultant to work with. When you make your appointment you are to be the only person who gets our attention. No phone calls, no interruptions, no competing for our help because we only work with one appointment at a time. If someone comes in unannounced during your appointment we kindly ask them to schedule their visit for a later time.
Question: Do you take credit cards or offer payment plans?
Janet: Yes, we do take major credit cards; MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. If you would rather make payments we can make a special schedule for you so that the shipping of your gown is not at risk. Since most bridal gowns take on average six months to receive and alter for you, we recommend beginning to shop 9 - 12 months ahead of your wedding date. Even some prom dresses can take weeks to get in. Shop early. When you find something you love, act on it.
Question: Okay, this sounds just like what I am looking for. What’s the next step?
Janet: Make an Appointment. Let’s start from the beginning. We can put our minds together and come up with a plan. If you’re not sure what to do or where to start, we will ask you some simple questions to get us started. You can expect us all to work hard for you.
Question: I have some more questions. Can I contact you?
Janet: Yes, always! Call us anytime you have a question: 517-592-8882. We are always here to answer your questions. Leave us a message if we don’t answer. We always call our customers back! You can also email the shop anytime: info@brooklynbridalprom.com
