If you’ve tuned into The Apprentice this year already, you’ve probably had a neb at the many hopefuls that make up this year’s cast. We did the minute they were revealed, delving straight onto Instagram to find out exactly where these people were from (and checking if it was Yorkshire – three were), and have a proper nosy at what they’ve done so far.
One of those people we had a nosy at was Shannon Martin: owner and founder of Holmfirth’s Dotty Bridal boutique. Shannon has entered the popular BBC show in the hopes of securing a whopping quarter-of-a-million-pound investment from Lord Alan Sugar, but looking at her business history, it appears she’s pretty blooming successful with or without him.
Launching Dotty Bridal back in 2015, Shannon’s goal was to create the perfect, intimate boutique for the modern bride – and almost eight years later, it’s safe to say the entrepreneur succeeded.
Stocking some of the hottest designers in the bridal industry such as Madi Lane, Provonias, and Vera Wang, Dotty Bridal focuses on stocking a diverse range of styles for all body types – championing the contemporary and fashion-forward designs that are currently dominating the industry, as opposed to the more traditional, ivory styles that we’ve been used to over the decades.
Think stunning applique, glittering tulle, and alternative colours such as oyster, nude, and mocha – alongside satin whites, structured silhouettes, and cascading lace trains. Basically, the showroom is every bride-to-be’s dream.
Rapidly growing over the years, Dotty Bridal in Holmfirth has expanded from a small and intimate boutique to a large boutique spanning two shopfronts and three stories, boasting four bridal suites, a showroom, and their very own bar stocking plenty of fizz and cocktails to amplify the bridal experience.
If that wasn’t all, the success of the boutique has spurned two further business opportunities for entrepreneur Shannon – including a second boutique called Off The Peg Bridal, where brides can shop discounted dresses that are now out of season, or were previously used as samples or showroom pieces by the designers.
The concept allows brides to save hundreds on their dream dress, and the best part – all dresses are as good as new.
Shannon’s third venture is the newly launched Nori Ivy Bridal – her very own designer label which aims to fill gaps in the bridal market identified by the team at Dotty, giving their brides much more choice at reasonable prices.
Additionally, each dress is made right here in the UK (specifically Wales), a rarity in the bridal industry which is dominated by Australian designers and Chinese manufacturers.
Nori Ivy is the concept that Shannon is set to pitch to Sir Alan Sugar, which, should he choose her as his winner, would mark his first venture into the highly profitable wedding industry.
Both of Shannon’s shops can be found in Holmfirth. You can find Dotty Bridal at 14 Huddersfield Rd, Holmfirth, HD9 2JS, and Off The Peg at 13 Victoria St, Holmfirth, HD9 7DF. Both shops operate by appointment only to give brides the best boutique experience.
[Featured image: Dotty Bridal]
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