3 minute read
Debbie Traylor
by Tabitha Vilardo
Debbie Traylor, the owner of Debbie’s Bridal in Baton Rouge, opened her business in 2000 and has been in the bridal industry for over 30 years.
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Her secret to success?
She makes sure that she’s passionate about what she does. It just so happens that her passions include “kindness, honesty, and putting customers first.” Mix that heart and passion with unmatched talent, and the woman fits in the world of gowns as well as the glass slipper fit Cinderella.
Debbie is in the perfect profession; she holds 357 crowns and titles from her time in the pageant circuit. That’s an impressive amount of experience, so we set out to seek her advice for the 230,000 new women-owned businesses that have opened in Louisiana since 2017.
What advice do you have for new business owners who will face hard times?
“When you open, know that customers are overwhelmed by honesty and good customer service. If a customer comes in and doesn’t find what they need, help by referring them to another shop that you know offers the same service as you and help them find what they need. Take the extra step and work to help other businesses.” That extra step has been returned in multitudes of favor for this business owner.
Debbie’s Bridal has provided one-of-a-kind gowns for over 20 years.
From weddings, proms and pageants to debutante and Mardi Gras balls, she has a dress for the occasion. Her business has survived floods, hurricanes, and periods of economic uncertainty. Facing the worst when her original location was flooded, Debbie Traylor persevered. She moved her inventory and started working online to continue to supply customers with gorgeous gowns, excellent customer service, and genuine care.
I asked her about the perseverance she has shown throughout her years as a business owner and everything that she’s faced.
She moved into her new location in January of this year. You can find her in The Kendal Crossing Shopping Center at 10510 Airline Highway in Baton Rouge. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she follows safety precautions and sees customers one at a time and by appointment only, Monday - Saturday.
Call ahead and make an appointment to get in to see this multi-talented Superstar!
I couldn’t write about her and not explain why Superstar is a fitting title. Debbie is a professional singer/songwriter who landed her first recording contract at the age of twelve! She has multiple CDs and has performed countless times across the country. She received a medal for her song and performance at the Special Olympics and has been inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. She is also co-owner of Pelican Broadcasting. The woman has had a remarkably successful career in music and pageants and loves every minute of being in the spotlight! I am in awe that a person with those qualities, awards and talents can also make others feel like they are the star in the room.
People return to shop Debbie’s Bridal time and again and now bring their daughters because they know that Debbie will help them find the perfect dress for their special day. They love not only her selection but the way she makes them feel!
Learning about everything that she’s accomplished, I understood her nomination as a Featured CEO for this issue. However, after meeting her and witnessing how passionate she is about what she does, I had to share a little about who this 5’1 powerhouse is as a person and not just a successful entrepreneur.
It’s evident throughout Debbie’s career that she follows the advice that she gives new business owners.
And when I asked her about her favorite part of the bridal business, She replied, “The magic moment she finds her dress, and we all get emotional!”
There is that passion!
