May 1, 2017

Meet Kelsey Doorey of Vow To Be Chic in Santa Monica

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Doorey.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I got my first taste of the bridal industry working for a high-end wedding planner in New York, while I was earning my degree from Columbia University. It was incredible being exposed to the top-of-the-line wedding brands! Then in my early 20’s I began serving as a bridesmaid in friends’ weddings. While being a bridesmaid is an incredible joy and honor, it became a very expensive honor. This is when I came up with the idea for Vow To Be Chic.

After college, I worked in consulting and retail, and then moved out to Los Angeles to get my MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Business. I worked on Vow throughout business school, pitched the idea at UCLA’s Knapp Venture Competition, and received funding on the spot. And that’s how Vow To Be Chic was officially born.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We’ve been blessed with many victories, but when you’re growing a business that’s the first of its kind, you’re bound to run into speedbumps. The bridal industry is steeped in tradition, so a lot of our challenges have been educational. We work to enlighten our partners on the benefits of ecommerce and the shared economy.

Vow To Be Chic – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Launched in 2015, Vow To Be Chic is the first and only company to offer designer bridesmaid dress rentals. We bring the age-old tradition of dress shopping into the 21st century by allowing women to shop online and skip the typically frustrating experience of coordinating everyone to go store to store.

One of the things that really sets Vow To Be Chic apart is that the consumer doesn’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability. Our bridal parties really can have it all. Top designer bridesmaid and little white dresses retail for an average of $300, but now can be rented for as little as $50.

In addition, since we are a digital platform, we have the unique ability to stay ahead of trends by talking directly to our consumer and getting real-time feedback. Our favorite part of the workweek is when we receive Real Vow Wedding pictures from customers. It’s so exciting to see how each bridal party incorporated a specific dress into the larger wedding vision.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Set clear, measurable objectives – it’s a vital precursor to gauging success. Beyond that, make sure that all of your goals line up with your broader mission. Balancing short-term wins with long-term success is something every entrepreneur struggles with. The ultimate measure of success is how you feel going to sleep every night – if you are having fun and loving what you are doing, you are successful.

Contact Info: