Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan McRay.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was inducted into the formalwear world over 10 years ago. I loved it from the beginning, but graduated college and decided to try my hand at a corporate office job. COVID changed everything from me. My job shifted from in-office to work-from-home and I was missing the “human” aspect. I spent time reminiscing about my days in bridal and realized it still had my heart. Starting a business during the pandemic was intimidating, but was undoubtedly the right move. We started as Magnolia Mobile Bridal Boutique, a bridal shop on wheels that brought it all to the bride in the comfort of her home or local wedding venue. It was an intimate and quaint experience for many brides. Shortly after launching, I wanted to put roots down in Jenison, which is where my family and I reside. I hired my first employee, Vanessa, who is now our Store Manager and helps run both of our stores. We have grown to a team of seventeen amazing people and have had the honor of serving hundreds of women.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like life, the business has experienced ups and downs. We tried playing in the prom world for a couple of years before deciding it was not our best fit. We have worked with vendors that did not share in our mission and values. Through the learning experiences, we have bettered ourselves to serve our customers with integrity and intent. We feel strength in our community. We love on our customers because they are the lifeblood of everything we do. I would repeat the challenges again to learn the lessons they provided.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We call ourselves the Magnolia Gals and our goal is to empower women. We specialize in bridal gowns/accessories, mother-of dresses, in-house alterations, and suit rentals/purchases. Shopping here should feel different because we serve with heart. Our whole team leads with purpose. Every team meeting starts and ends with “give them a 5-star experience!”.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Shoutout to my dad, a fellow entrepreneur, Vanessa, my right hand gal, Adrienne, my first professional mentor, and all my team members who have shared in my passion for our work.
Pricing:
- Bridal Gowns: $850-$2,500
- Mother-of Dresses: $200-$800
- Suit Rentals: Average $220
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.magnolia-bridal.com
- Instagram: @magnoliabridalmi
- Facebook: @magnoliabridalmi
