Today we’d like to introduce you to Tami Parks.
Hi Tami, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was just 15 years old when I first learned how to clean and preserve wedding gowns from my mother. She was a master of her craft, and I loved watching her work—standing beside the pressing table, listening as she explained the details, and soaking in her expertise at the spotting board. Even as I went away to college, got married, and started a family, that knowledge stayed with me. It was a skill set woven into who I was.
Everything shifted in 2000 when my mom’s health declined. She had to begin stepping back from the business, but with little ones at home, I wasn’t in a position to step in full-time. Our family cleaners started outsourcing gowns to a preservation hub in Mississippi. And then came Hurricane Katrina.
I’ll never forget the images from that storm, but one picture in particular haunted me: the possibility of gowns floating down the Mississippi River. True, it was only in my imagination, but it made me realize something. To me, they weren’t just fabric. They were symbols of love, of family, of hope—and they had been swept away. That image lit a fire in me. I thought: What if I could bring this expertise back home? What if we could once again be the safe, trusted hands brides turned to?
In January 2006, I decided to take the leap and launched Great Lakes Wedding Gown Specialists, LLC. At first, it was just me—working out of my house, borrowing equipment from my parents’ cleaners, and earning certification through the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. Slowly, word spread. Brides began bringing their gowns. Boutiques began entrusting us with their clients’ most treasured garments. Piece by piece, the work grew.
From 2007 to 2014, I also owned a bridal store, September’s Bride in downtown Holland. That gave me the opportunity to help brides find their dream looks while continuing gown care behind the scenes. But as much as I loved the people side of retail, I realized my deepest passion was in the care itself—not the sales. In 2014, I sold the store to focus fully on what I loved most: preserving garments that hold the most meaning.
The next decade was all about growth. By 2020, our wedding gown care services had expanded so much that I acquired the former Lemon Fresh Cleaners at 983 Butternut Drive. We transformed it into West Michigan’s only 100% wet cleaning facility. Wet cleaning is safer, gentler, and greener than traditional dry cleaning methods, and it allows us to care for everything from couture gowns to everyday wear in a way that aligns with our values.
In 2023, I felt called back into the world of bridal retail, but with a different vision this time. I launched Wed Co. Wedding Wear in Grand Rapids, a micro-boutique created as a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for nearlyweds looking for options outside of the traditional bridal boutique experience. It was a way of bringing both sides of my story together—garment care and wedding wear—while staying true to my heart for people.
Looking back, what started as lessons at my mother’s side has grown into a life’s work. From gowns swept away in Katrina to gowns lovingly preserved in our care, the thread that ties it all together is simple: we care for what matters. Whether it’s the once-in-a-lifetime gown a bride wears on her wedding day, or the favorite shirt someone wears every week, my goal is to honor the meaning behind every garment and the people connected to them.
And now, another chapter is unfolding. With my dad recently retiring, we’ve moved all operations back to Holland. It feels like coming full circle—returning to the community where this work began, rooted in family and carried forward with the same care and commitment my parents taught me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the dynamics of a family business. Anyone who has worked with family knows it comes with both blessings and difficulties. For us, it’s been about learning how to honor the experience and wisdom of one generation while also creating space for the next to bring in new ideas and move things forward. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s shaped the way I lead—with a strong emphasis on communication, respect, and continuity.
Another ongoing challenge is that fashion—and the way people dress—is always changing. Wedding gowns, in particular, reflect cultural shifts in style, fabric, and construction. What was popular even five years ago can look completely different from what brides are wearing today. Our job is to keep up with those changes so that we’re prepared to properly clean, alter, or preserve each gown with the right techniques. It means always learning, staying curious, and adapting our skills to serve the next generation of brides.
The third challenge has been making the transition from traditional dry cleaning to eco-friendly processes. This was a huge shift, both technically and financially, but one that I felt was absolutely necessary. Wet cleaning is gentler on garments and safer for the environment, but it required retraining, new equipment, and a willingness to step away from the industry’s “standard way” of doing things. Looking back, it was worth every bit of the effort—we’ve positioned ourselves at the forefront of sustainable garment care in West Michigan.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Great Lakes Clothing and Gown Care; Wed Co. Wedding Wear?
At Great Lakes Clothing and Gown Care, we specialize in wedding gown cleaning, preservation, and alterations—but that’s only the beginning. We also care for everyday garments using 100% wet cleaning, which is safer, gentler, and greener than traditional dry cleaning. We’re proud to be West Michigan’s only fully wet-cleaning facility, which allows us to treat everything from couture wedding gowns to business shirts with the same level of care. What sets us apart is that we don’t just “clean clothes”—we care for what matters. Whether it’s the once-in-a-lifetime dress a bride wore down the aisle or the work shirt someone wears every week, we recognize the meaning behind each garment and treat it with the respect it deserves.
Wed Co. Wedding Wear grew out of that same heart. It’s a micro-boutique offering custom gowns, inclusive sizing, and affirming service for nearlyweds who are looking for options beyond the traditional bridal boutique. We also restore and reimagine vintage gowns, giving new life to dresses that might otherwise be forgotten. What makes Wed Co. unique is that it’s rooted in both artistry and care—blending fashion with gown preservation expertise so brides can trust not just the fit and design of their gown, but also its long-term care.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that both businesses are connected by the same story: we care for what matters. It’s not just a tagline—it’s how we train our team, how we serve our customers, and how we show up in our community. At the end of the day, we want people to know that when they trust us with their clothing or their gown, we see more than fabric—we see the memories, milestones, and meaning those garments hold.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest piece of advice for anyone just starting out is this: know your numbers. Good accounting and business practices will make the difference between being passionate about what you do and actually being able to sustain it. Keeping your debt as low as possible is key—prove your business plan, get a few solid years under your belt, and then build from there.
The other lesson I’ve learned is: don’t be afraid to pivot. Business rarely unfolds in a straight line. Fashion changes, technology changes, even entire industries can shift—so you have to be willing to adapt. Some of the best decisions I’ve made came from being flexible enough to change direction when circumstances demanded it.
That’s really the story of my businesses—what started as learning gown care at my mom’s side has grown into two connected brands that serve people in very different ways. If I hadn’t known my numbers, or if I’d been afraid to pivot, Great Lakes Clothing & Gown Care and Wed Co. Wedding Wear wouldn’t be what they are today.
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