It’s great for me as a fledgling business. I feel very supported by Elavon
"Payments from my customers can often be in my account the following day. This is so important to me." - Pauline Clarke, Owner of The Bridal Rooms and Elavon customer
The journey to me owning a bridal shop is quite a strange one, really. My background is in sales and marketing but, a few years ago while working on my business and finance degree through Staffordshire University, I had to organise a marketing plan for a business.
We came up with the idea of opening a bridal shop. The more I found out about the bridal industry, the more I liked what I saw. It really inspired me. A year later, I opened The Bridal Rooms, in the heart of rural Staffordshire.
My day-to-day job involves talking to brides and finding out about their dreams and aspirations for their weddings. I love being able to help my customers. This is the single most important day of a bride’s life and probably one of her single most important purchases. My job is to help find the dress for her, so that she’s happy on her wedding day.
It's paramount to deliver a high-end service
It’s absolutely of paramount importance that you deliver a high-end service. We make the bride feel special from the moment she steps inside the shop. The testimonials speak for themselves. We’ve been told by our brides that we're unique, that we're special and that we’ve made them feel special. The Bridal Rooms’ Facebook page shows brides passing on their thanks for the level of service we’ve offered.
I’m passionate about what I do, but I’m a businesswoman first and foremost. This is my business and I’ve got to make it successful.
I’ve been with Elavon since I opened. The sign-up procedure was very easy. The rates I get from Elavon are very competitive, which is important to me because these are high-priced items. When I’ve contacted Elavon, they’ve always been very quick to come back to me and to resolve any problem.
It’s great for me as a fledgling business. I feel very supported by Elavon. There’s always somebody to talk to if I’m not sure of something.
Seamless relationship between Elavon and my bank
We use iMerchantConnect, which allows us to just go online rather than getting paper statements. My bookkeeper can access my statements and my history reports, and reconcile the till receipts she gets with my statements at any time, night or day - whenever she needs to.
And the relationship between Santander, my bank, and Elavon seems seamless. Payments accepted by Elavon from my customers on one day can often be in my account the following day. This is so important to me, especially as my business can be seasonal.
I’ve been so happy with Elavon that I’ve recommended them to other people. My father-in-law is a surgeon who runs his own private practice, and he now uses them. Elavon works very well.
You’ve got to be passionate about what you do; that has to drive and motivate you. Some days, I’m tired and it’s difficult, but when a bride comes in and she’s telling me about her hopes, dreams and aspirations, I forget that I’ve only had two hours of sleep. I think, I’m going to live her dream with her. That’s what motivates me.