Titus2Talk: Interview with Dorene – Part 2

For Part 1, visit here, where Dorene shared on family ministry. Part 2 delves into the topic of home business.

Dorene is very gifted in sewing and thus started her own business from home making wedding veils. I was blessed to have her make my wedding veil, which you will see a picture of below. I have asked Dorene to share some thoughts on starting a home business.

Working from Home

1.Tell us about Unveiled Bridal.

Unveiled Bridal Designs is a business where I get to create one of a kind wedding veils, hats and birdcage veils for brides. As an artisan I desire to create heirloom quality veils that can be passed down for generations. Each bride gets to look through my materials that are all photographed on my web site so they can create a veil that completely reflects their unique style and personality. I feel our nation has lost the “art” of creating something that is timeless. I desire to restore this “art” and long to pass on this skill to other artisans so that this craft will be shared with other brides in the future.

2. How did you get started?

Unveiled Bridal Designs started 5+ years ago. I had been making wedding veils since my wedding in 1989 and wanted to take it a step further and took my business to the Internet. The move has been amazing. I have a veil business now where I create 40-60 veils a month for brides around the world. Along with their veil I send a portion of the gospel in each package. This little “note” from me to the bride has touched many lives. I look forward to starting a “gospel blog” to share more truth with my brides about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

3. How have you balanced family priorities and maintaining your business?

My husband helps me greatly with this. We look at this as a family business and since I tend to be a very focused woman he helps me to see if I am over doing it. We are very grateful that I can do this work from the home. I can take a basket of beading with me to piano practice etc. and can do my work just about anywhere in the house. I love do my veil beading during our school time. The triplets each read to me aloud from the books we have assigned. I have found something that “fits” in to our lives. Another key element is organization. There really is not idle time (proverbs 31:27) and procrastination does not help me at all. It is hard work having a home business. We think doing something difficult and doing it for God’s glory is wonderful for your children to see. With God’s strength I find that I am able to stay on top of everything. There is always room for improvement in this area of balancing.

4. Do you have any tips to share for a mom that wants to start a business at home?

Yes!

First, start with something that you can easily do from home and that you can include your family & friends in. My kids help with shaping veils (even some friends will help when they come over). We can all sit with each other and talk while we work. In my workroom I even put two chairs since I am rarely in there alone.

Second, doing something that comes natural to you (do you sew? are you great at web design?)

Third, what do people need? I found this principal in Proverbs 31: 24 where it says, “She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes” I found this passage so interesting. In another account of the Noble Wife it says ” When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet” That is a beautiful color and very rich fabric, however for the “business” she creates something that is more uniform and will appeal to more people. She does not use Scarlet clothe for her products that she sale out of the home instead she makes linen garments, which is a basic shirt wrap. This was what the people were wearing. Then she created “sashes for the merchants”. I can just see her sitting at home with her family and sharing her idea. She may have shared with her daughters “we can sew sashes for the merchants, they all need them!” So take the gifts you have and then ask what do the people need?

I highly recommend Dorene’s lovely veils, if you are in the market for one! I am sure she would love if you paid her a visit at Unveiled Bridal Designs.

Here are some shots of my fingertip veil