In this episode, I’m sharing a real, behind-the-scenes recap of attending Wedding MBA in Las Vegas just days after our SBS Fall Fest retreat. I talk about what it was like stepping into the largest wedding professional conference in the world as one of only a handful of bridal seamstresses in attendance, and what that revealed about how our role is still misunderstood and overlooked.

This episode is for bridal seamstresses who are deciding where to invest their time, energy, and money when it comes to conferences, education, and community. If you’ve ever wondered whether big industry events are worth it, or if seamstress-specific spaces matter more, this one is for you.

In this episode:

Why Wedding MBA offers limited value for bridal seamstresses compared to industry-specific retreats

What speaking at a major wedding conference revealed about how invisible seamstresses still are

The importance of education and mentorship designed specifically for bridal alterations

How community and shared language make learning more impactful

Where to focus your investment if you want real growth as a bridal seamstress

Connect with Nadine:

Check out the exclusive private podcast series, Fitting Packages 101: https://enchanting-sun-77080.myflodesk.com/privatepodcast

Become a member: https://secretsofabridalseamstresspodcast.com/membership

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsofabridalseamstress/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nadinebozeman

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofabridalseamstress

In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of our SBS Fall Fest Retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona, and why it ended up being one of my favorite retreats yet. I share why I decided to make retreats members-only, what changed when everyone came with the same foundation, and how that shifted the entire experience from “catching up” to true growth.

You’ll hear how we designed Fall Fest around the theme “remembering your why,” especially after a packed sewing season that can leave you disconnected from what you actually want. I break down what made our keynote day with Michelle Grosser so powerful—from noticing stress patterns to understanding the deeper “why” behind habits like overbooking, avoiding confrontation, and staying stuck on pricing.

PS - I give you a peek at what’s coming for Nashville (March 10–12): a bigger group, new ways to keep it intimate, and a “Future by Her Design” theme with sessions on serving weight-loss-journey clients, social media + AI + Canva, and financial planning.

In this episode:

• A shared foundation changes everything in an in-person retreat experience

• Stress patterns can drive overbooking, avoidance, and pricing hesitation

• Vulnerability and real connection create the “no drama, all growth” dynamic

• Retreat structure matters: space, pacing, small groups, and intentional bonding

• Nashville is March 10–12 with a “Future by Her Design” focus

  
  

  Learn more about the upcoming SBS retreat: https://secretsofabridalseamstresspodcast.com/retreats

  
  

Connect with Nadine:

Check out the exclusive private podcast series, Fitting Packages 101: https://enchanting-sun-77080.myflodesk.com/privatepodcast

Become a member: https://secretsofabridalseamstresspodcast.com/membership

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsofabridalseamstress/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nadinebozeman

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofabridalseamstress

Busy season doesn’t truly end for me when the last gown leaves the studio—it ends when I take time to close the loop. In this episode, I’m sharing the exact mindset shift that helps me step out of survival mode and into a grounded, confident space before I dive into website updates, rebrands, new prices, or fresh projects.

Before you jump into all the exciting business upgrades you love working on this time of year, I’m walking you through the simple, free practices I use to close the loop daily, seasonally, and annually. These moments of recognition help me rebuild self-efficacy, soften the pressure I put on myself, and remind me that I do follow through. And when I show up from that place? My creativity expands, my planning gets clearer, and my business feels lighter.

If you’re heading into your slower months ready to refresh, rework, or reinvent your bridal business, this episode is the reset I want you to take with me first.

Takeaways

How I recognize mental “open tabs” and clear them before planning

The daily and seasonal practices I use to close the loop

Why celebrating what I finished builds long-term confidence

How quiet self-efficacy shifts the way I lead my business

The reset I take before diving into my next big ideas for the new season

Connect with Nadine:

Check out the exclusive private podcast series, Fitting Packages 101: https://enchanting-sun-77080.myflodesk.com/privatepodcast

Become a member: https://secretsofabridalseemstresspodcast.com/membership

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsofabridalseamstress/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nadinebozeman

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofabridalseamstress

Your best clients are already showing you exactly how to build the business you want next season.

This 6 Figure Friday episode dives into the foundations of attracting your ideal bridal client by studying the brides you loved working with this past year. Nadine walks through a simple, data-driven reflection process straight from the Six Figure Seamstress course—helping you identify who your dream clients actually are and how to intentionally bring more of them into your studio.

You’ll learn how to analyze past projects, track where ideal clients are finding you, and use that insight to shape your 2026 marketing strategy. This episode is perfect for seamstresses planning ahead, refining their client experience, or shifting toward a more curated and aligned bridal season.

In this episode:

Reflect on your top 3–5 favorite clients to identify patterns and preferences

Track where ideal clients found you to guide next season’s marketing

Strengthen relationships with shops or platforms that already send aligned clients

Interview past brides for deeper insights that shape your ideal client avatar

Use your natural voice in your marketing to attract the right personalities

Connect with me:

Join the membership here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.com/

Learn more about the retreats here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.squarespace.com/new-page

In this episode of Secrets of a Bridal Seamstress, we’re flipping the script to “secrets of a bridal shop owner.” I sit down with Courtney Foreman, owner of Weddings With Joy in Olympia, WA, who just hit 10 years in business and is leveling up by buying a building.

Courtney shares how she went from banking to bridal, what she wishes she’d known before her first market buy, why appointments over walk-ins changed everything, and how COVID became the unexpected catalyst that led to profitability, coaching, team growth, and a healthier owner role. We also get into hiring, training, culture, consistency, and delegation—plus the real talk on financing and finding the right property for expansion.

In this episode:

• The messy truth of an accidental acquisition: buying a bridal shop with no industry experience

• Market buying 101: knowing your customer, sizes, colors, and how not to overbuy

• Why appointment-only improves client experience and owner sanity

• How coaching and community shortened the learning curve

• Building a team and culture (and why experience isn’t always an advantage)

• Systems, automation, handbooks, and consistent client messaging

• The building buy: appraisals, banks, deal breakers, and finding a space that supports growth (hello, separate menswear entrance!)

• Mindset for the long game: staying even-keeled through highs and lows

Connect with Courtney:

Website: https://weddingswithjoy.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingswithjoy/

Connect with me:

Join the membership here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.com/

Learn more about the retreats here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.squarespace.com/new-page

Feeling overwhelmed by all the ways clients reach out… DMs, emails, texts, contact forms, and more? You’re not alone! In this Six Figure Friday episode, I am sharing simple, free strategies to organize your bridal alteration inquiries without needing a fancy CRM or paid system.

Whether you’re just starting out or not quite ready to invest in automation, these tips will help you regain control, reduce stress, and set up a smooth, professional process that keeps you from missing potential clients.

In this episode:

• Why having one point of contact is key to staying organized

• How to set up a free, easy system for managing inquiries

• What to say when clients message you on social media

• The difference between being “available” and setting boundaries

• How small steps now prepare you for future systems like Dubsado

Check out Dubsado: https://www.dubsado.com

Connect with me:

Join the membership here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.com/

Learn more about the retreats here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.squarespace.com/new-page

Do you ever feel like you’re posting on Instagram and nobody’s listening? You’re not alone. Most of us post a few times here and there on scattered topics, and then wonder why nothing sells.

In this week’s Six Figure Friday tip, I’m sharing the results of a simple experiment I ran on my Sweet Francis account. I picked ONE topic, my spring cleaning sale, and posted about it all month long. No reinventing the wheel, no stressing over what to say. Just one message, in different formats, over and over again.

This episode breaks down exactly what happened, and spoiler alert - it was profitable and successful! I want you to try it too, and this episode outlines how.

And don’t forget, the SBS Membership is OPEN until the first week of October. This is the place where we dive deeper into strategies like this and cheer each other on as we grow. Come join us!

Connect with me:

Join the membership here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.com/

Learn more about the retreats here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.squarespace.com/new-page

Today I’m joined by Leslie Stanfield of Lace Envy Alterations in Spokane, WA. Leslie is known in our community for her endless energy, her willingness to always learn something new, and the beautiful work she delivers to her brides.

In this episode, Leslie shares her story of starting out sewing from home while raising five kids, and how that eventually led to opening her own bridal studio. We talk about what it really looks like to make the leap from working for a shop to running your own space, including how to budget for rent, find the right location, and price your work with confidence.

Leslie also opens up about some of the tougher sides of this business, from handling emotionally draining fittings to navigating a serious shoulder injury right in the middle of wedding season. Her perspective on boundaries, resilience, and leaning on your community is one that every bridal seamstress needs to hear.

In this episode:

• Leslie’s journey from sewing “fun money” projects at home to running a professional studio

• How she found and afforded her first storefront

• The importance of setting boundaries in busy season (no more 4 a.m. sewing nights!)

• How she handled a shoulder injury and kept her business afloat

• Her encouragement to seamstresses who are thinking about taking the leap into business ownership

Connect with Leslie:

Website: https://laceenvyalts.com/

Join the membership here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.com/

Learn more about the retreats here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.squarespace.com/new-page

Connect with Nadine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsofabridalseamstress/