Purple Finch Bridal Tailor
Having one advisor with whom I can discuss any of my business questions is constructive. And because I drive my company alone now, it’s also ample emotional support, so I know it is possible to find solutions for all steps of my business growth.
“Purple Finch” is a couture fashion design and tailoring shop. The shop specializes in custom-made bridal and formal dresses and stage costumes, shoes, jewelry and other accompanying accessories.
The owner Olga Philippova is a second-generation dress designer. Her family had a wedding dress manufacturing company in Russia and the owner also had a tailor shop there. Olga immigrated to the U.S. back in 2019. Due to the pandemic that happened shortly after, Olga worked from home, focusing on her creativity and selling clothes and small projects online. Since the end of the lockdown, Olga has started to receive incremental requests for bridal and formal dress tailoring requests. Olga then decided to try opening up a physical studio in San Francisco for the convenience of her potential customers.
The initial year was challenging; almost all of the profits were spent on commercial rent, improvements and development. Bookings and revenues were pretty spotty and inconsistent. Since the founder is an immigrant and a newcomer to the city, she hasn’t had any existing customers, business contacts or knowledge about local laws and regulations and she didn’t have any meaningful business support. However, the owner is determined to start the business and found out about the San Francisco SBDC.
SBDC advisor Victor Wong helped Olga with business registration, improving the business website, and reviewing social media, and online advertising channels. Olga performed adjustments to her marketing strategies accordingly per Victor’s recommendations and modified the website to increase bookings online.
As a result, business sales increase very quickly and bookings are consistently full. Now that the fundamentals are stabilized, Olga is able to envision longer-term vision such as fulfilling her dream of creating her own fashion product line. Purple Finch would like to start hiring employees in the following year, establish local manufacturing, build a strong brand, and enhance and expand the boutique.
Olga has a big plan for the business and she is excited to continue collaborating with SBDC on the next steps.
“Having one advisor with whom I can discuss any of my business questions is constructive. And because I drive my company alone now, it’s also ample emotional support, so I know it is possible to find solutions for all steps of my business growth.”
Olga Philippova
founder of Purple Finch Bridal tailor
