Jessica Limeberry shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jessica, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I am a mom to 4 tweens and teen boys, so most of my joy comes from watching them interact and grow into young men. They are four boys, so there is plenty of rough and tumble, but then there are moments of laughter and fun, throwing a football or going golfing, watching a movie or around the dinner table. As they grow into young adults, it is really fun to hear their thoughts and debate life with them!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Jessica Limeberry and I am the owner of Sophia’s Bridal and Tux with 4 locations, 3 in Indiana and one is Kentucky! We have a wide range of customers, working alongside brides, their families and friends for wedding dresses, tuxes, and attire – as well as teenagers and adults attending prom or formal events with our XO by Sophia’s sister store. I have worked in the wedding industry for over 25 years, starting as a wedding photographer, and then purchasing Sophia’s Bridal and Tux in 2014 from it’s original owner! Since 2014, we have grown from 1 location on the south side of Indianapolis, to 4 locations. We now have spaces on the north and south sides of Indianapolis (near the Keystone at the Crossing Mall and Southport, Indiana respectively) as well as Columbus, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky.
We specialize in really important big life moments, and we love helping make memories and pouring love into people’s life! Its a really special industry to be a part of, and we live for the connections and relationships we make!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My parents were an amazing example of hard work, long term vision, and creating a service focused business. They always taught me to care about others more than myself, and that when you give, more comes back. They helped shape me into the person I am. My parents owned pet retail businesses, and my mom was a speech therapist in the school system. Within their work, and out in their day-to-day life, they are always the first to volunteer when anyone needs help, and they always give so much to those around them.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
In 2018, I was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in my lung. I underwent surgery to remove my lower left lobe, and the tumor, and thankfully had a full recovery. This experience taught me so much about myself, about my priorities, and about the vision I had for my life.
I was never someone to ask for a lot of help, and in this situation, I was forced to rely on others and ask for help for simple things, like meals, support, rides, etc. In addition to the cliché things you hear all the time, it was a time where I couldn’t be present in my business, and I really found out the power of a good team.
My team rose to the occasion, and all the systems and procedures we had created were put to the test! We found where we needed more, and fine tuned some that existed, but it was the stepping stone of creating a business that didn’t require me in the day to day. I was able to really pivot and focus on growing the business and no longer in the day-to-day needs. We absolutely wouldn’t be where we are today without that.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I would hope that people closest to me would say that I am kind, generous, and a good friend! I am a big believer in treating everyone with respect, and I want the people around me to feel seen and heard. This is a big foundation of how we treat customers, and how I live in my personal life!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I was born to make the people and world around me brighter, happier, and feel loved – and I think I have been able to build a life and a business surrounding that! I am super passionate about building up leaders within my company. Helping my staff feel empowered, more confident, and proud of the work they do, and in my personal life, I have a similar mission with friends, family, and those I meet! We hire a lot of teenagers, young people, college students, etc, and we have an awesome privilege of helping them realize some of their potential. Giving them social practice and confidence, and I love hearing them say that they came in shy and are now are able to look people in the eye, hold a conversation, and feel comfortable! What an amazing life skill in a world that can feel more isolated and less “in-real-life”!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sophiasbridalandtux.com and www.xobysophias.com
- Instagram: @sophiasbridalandtux and @xobysophias
- Facebook: fb.com/sophiasbridalandtux and fb.com/xobysophias
Image Credits
Images created in-house or by Esther Ellyn Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
