We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alyssa Dahl a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alyssa, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
As a young child, I watched my parents go through a divorce. My mom was forced to care for and support me and my two other sisters on her own. Starting from scratch, she hustled everyday, got her real estate license, and earned a living to raise her girls, and rebuild her life. I saw first hand how to be a strong, independent self-starter, and those traits will stick with me for the rest of my life.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My story starts with a feeling so strong that it can change your course of action…Graduating from FIDM in Los Angeles in 2008, I was a fashion designer in the contemporary market and was always drawn to lace, embroidery, and specialty details. It started when my sister asked me to design her wedding dress. It is such an incredible honor to contribute to someone’s most important day of their life. A feeling I couldn’t shake, and that’s when I knew this is what I was meant to do.
During my own wedding dress shopping experience in 2018, I noticed a gap in the market. While high-end couture designs impressed me with their attention to detail and quality, they were out of my budget. On the other hand, more affordable options lacked the craftsmanship I desired. That’s when I took matters into my own hands and designed my own wedding dress. This experience solidified my passion and confirmed I had found my niche.
Handcrafted in California for the bride who values individuality and quality. My gowns embody daring femininity through intricate details, unique designs, and luxurious materials at a more approachable price point. My handcrafted appliques and laces add a distinctive level of complexity to each gown. Every design originates from a captivating narrative and is brought to life through my conceptual photoshoots. My unconventional design method produces truly unique pieces that make a statement.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
First and foremost, pursuing your purpose by taking the risk. I would say I have never been a risk taker, I’m cautious about everything I do and I overthink everything. Years went by of questioning myself and if I was good enough, until I finally just threw myself fully into it and didn’t look back. I don’t even consider failure to be an option anymore. If I didn’t finally take the plunge, I would of felt unfulfilled and regretted that decision for the rest of my life. So trust your gut, and take the risk.
Having a strong support system. Being an entrepreneur, it’s kind of like you are stranded on this island. Everything you do requires you to swim off the island to somewhere you haven’t been before. It’s very challenging because there are so many different tasks that you have to do, but there is only one of you. Having someone there to talk through your challenges really makes a difference. It’s a different perspective that might help clear your mind, help find a solution to a problem that doesn’t seem obvious to you, or just someone to vent to.
Being organized and setting deadlines. Knowing what events are going on or important dates in your industry. Building a calendar of when I need to have designs done by, fabrics ordered, samples, production, etc. At the beginning of every year I set my calendar for the full year. Things don’t always go to according to your timeline, but I always have a buffer period to help balance that out. This is very essential as you cannot be successful, if you cannot provide what you are selling.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I go on walks. I live close to a park with hiking trails. Whenever I feel overwhelmed I stop what I’m doing and go on a walk. My mind tends to spiral with a million different thoughts. Going on a walk helps me sort through all my thoughts and clear my mind. When I come back I usually have a clear mind on what I need to do. I also make a lot of lists. I’m a Virgo, so I like being organized. Making lists help me organize all of the things I need to do and then from there I can organize the priority by due dates/urgencies.
Contact Info:
- Website: DahlCollection.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/dahlcollection
- Facebook: facebook.com/dahlcollection
- Other: pinterest.com/dahlcollection
Image Credits
HANNAH TURNER-HARTS PHOTOGRAPHY
