02/05/2024
Hey, it’s been a while! I’ve so struggled to post this because this decision has not come easy & I’ve went back & forth on it but with tears rolling down my face here it is:
After 10 years it’s officially time for me to begin to hang up my measuring tape and retire my small business. Before I go into the why, let me first be VERY clear that my couples who are currently booked with me will NOT be affected by this. I am honoring all weddings currently on my 2024 schedule and will close out this year with those booked weddings. I will post details for when I soon stop taking additional wedding bookings. I also want to let 2024 prom customers know that I unfortunately will NOT be taking any prom orders for 2024. *With one exception: 2024 Seniors who HAVE rented from me in the past. If you feel more confident using me for your final prom, please reach out to me now via text to let me know! I know this exception may seem unfair to some but this is just something I feel I need to offer to my Seniors.
These last 10 years have been wonderful, however, 2023 was really difficult for me to balance my business with my family’s schedule, especially during peak seasons. This business is a full time commitment mainly serving clients during afternoon, evening & weekend hours which are becoming harder for me to manage. My three growing kids have reached a point where I need a more set schedule that allows me to primarily have evenings & weekends open in order to balance their busy schedules & activities. I know many parents can relate to this! Your weddings & special moments are so important and I never want to get to a point where I am stretched so thin that I am unable to fully commit to my clients and then find myself giving a less than positive experience.
To be fair, the world of retail has also changed drastically the last few years & the demands of this specific industry well exceed what I can offer anymore. So many changes and it’s been hard trying to keep up. We are seeing more of a demand for retail versus rentals now & that’s a shift I am unable to fully dive into right now. You all know I give my ALL to family AND my customers - but in trying to balance both I’ve felt myself pulling away, exhausted & somewhat lacking the passion & drive I once had. I can’t fairly continue when my heart isn’t fully in it anymore.
Written words just aren’t powerful enough to express how sincerely thankful I am to every one of you that has supported me and my family’s small business throughout the years! A lot of you have watched our twins grown up & our family grow!! And I have done the same with many of you!! I have met so many sweet and incredible families and made many friends along the way. I pray you all understand where I am coming from with this decision. It does not come easy & I’ve explored other alternatives to closing but this is just what’s best for my family. If you read on this far, THANK YOU! Wherever this next chapter brings me, I hope we cross paths again! 💕 For now, I am looking forward to the remainder of what 2024 has for RoverT Tuxedo!
~Jess
