Talking with Ann Campeau owner of Strut Bridal Salon that caters to curvy brides

In March 2009 co-owner of Strut Bridal Salon Ann embarked upon the typical bridal odyssey—a quest to find the perfect dress. She searched high and low to find a contemporary dress to fit and flatter her curves. She wanted something to make her feel pretty on her wedding day. But nothing fit. Samples were too small. She went from store to store, dragging her sister-in-law behind, trying to stuff herself into too-small wedding gowns. And at the end of that tiring weekend, she grumbled to her older brother, Bob, “I’m the size of an average US woman. Why doesn’t someone open a bridal salon where women like me can actually try on dresses?!” And he replied, probably tired of her whining, “Yes, why don’t you?” And he, being the nerdy (he’d call it numbers-oriented but opinions vary) big brother, sent her a start-up budget before she got to work the very next morning. And then he revised it and resent it. Before 8am (see why we say nerdy?!). And thus the partnership began. While her own wedding dress search didn’t have a Goldilocks “this one is just right” ending , this story does end happily after all: Strut bridal salon opened just one year later. It was tough (you’ve heard it before—“in this economy”), but day after day, they are rewarded with happy, grateful brides.