Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Arroyo
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Emma Arroyo and I began my journey when I was just 18 years old. I got my start at a family business and from there my passion for this profession was born. I decided to study fashion design in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. After finishing my studies, I continued working in the family business and also teaching fashion design classes in Monterrey. After a few years, I got married and immigrated to this country. Here, I began working for other businesses on alterations for wedding dresses, formal dresses, and all types of clothing. I worked like this for several years until I came to the realization that I was sacrificing a lot of family time, working long hours. This essentially became my motivation that pushed me to finally start my own business. For 7 years, I managed to grow my business little by little until I managed to have a large number of clients working from home, in my garage. The overwhelming amount of support and clients was the reason why I decided it was time to move out of my garage and expand my business. We are soon to make one year at our new location and I feel very blessed that our clients keep growing. It makes me very happy to see the way our brides and quinceañeras get excited when they see their finished dresses. Seeing them radiate confidence and happiness makes my job worth it every day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been easy at all. In fact, it can be very difficult to get people to trust you to work on their favorite garment or a garment for a very special event. Additionally, another obstacle I encountered was the language barrier, considering Spanish is my first language. It was difficult to adapt and overcome that barrier with some of my clients, but nevertheless, I was able to overcome that and I’m proud to say my business now offers a bilingual service.
We’ve been impressed with Emma’s Alterations and Shop, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business focuses in alterations for any type of garments , but specializes in formal, bridal and quinceañera dresses.
What I feel sets us apart from any other alterations business is that I like to provide my clients with additional recommendations and options on different ways they could modify or change their garment to where they are 100% satisfied with how their garment fits and looks. For example, we can change a quinceañera dress to a prom dress. We can change the style of a simple dress, adding tulle, stones, any type of applications, embroidery, and even add a corset.
I work with all types of materials and designs, from the smallest size to the largest, from the simplest and most economical garment to the most complicated and expensive.
In my business I will always try to provide a solution for my clients.
Moreover, what makes me feel proud of my business is that it has also become a place of opportunity that has allowed me to employ people who have the same passion for fashion like myself.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success for me is feeling blessed, full, and satisfied with what you have achieved with much love, effort, sacrifice and the support of people who have always been by your side unconditionally. In addition, I want to be able to leave my essence in every job I do and in every person who seeks my service.
Pricing:
- Our pricing varies based on the type of garment and what alterations or modifications are needed.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmas.alterations.and.shop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmasAlterationsandShop
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emmasalterationsandshop
Image Credits
Andrea Garcia Arroyo
Renata Garcia Arroyo
