May 8, 2017

Meet Natalie Albright of Rsvp Prom and Pageant in Johns Creek

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Albright.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Natalie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The business started in 2008, as a senior at Grayson High School, with a closet full of dresses and a calling for entrepreneurship. As a daughter of entrepreneurs, I did what made sense with my closet full of dresses; I started a dress rental business. At the time, there were no dress rental companies in the Atlanta area and only one prom specialty store to shop from besides Macy’s, JC Penny’s, etc.

Coincidentally, around the same time, my marketing teacher asked the class to pick a category for the DECA State Competition. With my budding dress rental business, I took this opportunity to research and write a business plan that would help expand my business from my bedroom to a free-standing building in Loganville, Georgia. As I went on to win first place in the State DECA competition, I proved to my parents that the dress rental business was something worth pursuing.

After my high school graduation, Rsvp Dress Rentals became a reality, which was made possible with the love and support from my parents. From 2008-2012, we operated as Rsvp Dress Rentals. As some entrepreneur’s experience, ideas must evolve in order to continue to grow. Almost all of the dresses needed some sort of altering, which meant we had to have temporary alternations done so that we could rent it to the next customer. Dresses then had to be dry cleaned, which became a huge expense. Not to mention, dresses like anything else go through style changes. As a result, after a dress was no longer in style, it was no longer rentable.

Therefore, in 2012, we decided to do away with the dress rental business and begin selling brand new designer gowns only. And since our space in Loganville was becoming too small for our growing company, we moved to the Historic Square in Downtown Lawrenceville and a new era of the business was born, Rsvp Prom and Pageant Inc.!

Since inception, my idea for a DECA project has evolved into two locations with the largest selection of dresses in the Southeast! Our very successful brick and mortar stores are definitely worth the visit, including our newest store in Johns Creek, which has over 8,500 square feet fully dedicated to all prom and special occasion dresses!

With over 25 dressing rooms, a men’s lounge and tux shop, fully mirrored stages and seemingly endless rows of hanging gowns, Rsvp Prom and Pageant Johns Creek, is known to be a true, all-inclusive formal wear destination. Both locations are most recognized for offering the widest selection of prom dresses throughout the county. Therefore, each location carries completely different inventory, so that our customers are sure to find what they’re looking for. And although the inventory is different between the two stores, one thing you can find in each store is a dedicated stylist who provides one-on-one special attention to helping our customers find the perfect dress.

We’re not stopping at two locations either! We have a lot planned for the next five to ten years, as our goal is to be the first Prom and Pageant store to grow nationwide!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For the most part, our journey through the prom dress industry has been smooth and we’re very grateful for that. I think the only time we experienced a struggle was going from a dress rental business to final sale. Although the two businesses involve prom dresses, the operations are completely different.

Rsvp Prom and Pageant – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Rsvp Prom and Pageant is the #1 Prom, Pageant and Specialty Store in the Southeast! We are the Premier In-store and Online Retailer with an extensive selection of the hottest Prom, Pageant, Homecoming, Cocktail, Quinceañera, Bat Mitzvah, Cotillion, Destination Bridal and all Special Occasion dresses!

We are known locally, as well as nationwide, for dresses, dress, and more dresses — but we also carry gorgeous jewelry, accessories, and shoes! With two locations, Rsvp Prom & Pageant, boasts over 35 dressing rooms, 6 fully mirrored stages and over 10,000 sq. ft. of seemingly endless rows of hanging gowns!

Not to mention, we are known for our incredibly knowledgeable Prom Stylists! From the moment our customers walk in the door, they are greeted by their very own Formal Wear Expert who will actually help them find the perfect dress based on their personal style, body type, dress preferences and skin tone!

We exclusively hire the friendliest and most helpful girls in the area who are always ready to help our customers look their best! Whether it is for prom, homecoming, a pageant, or a night out, they will custom tailor the experience by offering guidance to help pick out the perfect ensemble from head to toe!

In addition to our stylists, we pride our stores on being well organized, offering a variety of colors, sizes, and only the newest styles and hottest trends of the season. Our selection of unique merchandise is separated by color, size and style so that our customers can easily find what they are looking for. Not to mention, we travel as family to hand select each gown so that each store only features the BEST dresses!

Not to mention, the designers we work with are constantly creating new styles and send us only their most exclusive pieces. As a result, our customers are sure to find multiple dresses that they love!

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
If we could start over again, we would have started selling brand new designer gowns from the beginning rather than rent them. It’s an extraordinary experience to be able to take a look at your business and see what needs improving and evolving in order to continue to grow and become more profitable.

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