Alexis Currie Strigo

I truly attribute much of my success to the people who have influenced and supported me throughout my life. I have been incredibly fortunate to have mentors who believed in me, guided me, and helped shape my path in ways that I could not have done alone.

One of the earliest influences in my life was my high school teacher, Mrs. Chapman. She was the first person who opened my eyes to the idea that fashion could actually be a career. Growing up, many of us are taught about a fairly narrow list of professions such as becoming a doctor, lawyer, nurse, or firefighter. Creative industries are not always presented as viable career paths, and before her class I did not even realize that studying fashion or working within that world was possible. She helped me see that there were opportunities beyond the traditional roles we are often encouraged to pursue, and that realization had a lasting impact on the direction of my life.

Throughout my career, I have also been incredibly fortunate to work alongside mentors who helped me grow professionally and personally. One of the most influential people in my career has been my former boss, Janet Culp. Her guidance and belief in me played a major role in shaping who I am today within this industry. Our relationship went far beyond a typical professional mentorship. In fact, she even signed my marriage license, which speaks to how meaningful and lasting that connection has been. Having someone who invests in you not only as a professional but as a person is incredibly powerful.

My family has also been a constant source of encouragement. My mom, in particular, has always been my biggest supporter. She will do anything she can to help me succeed and has always encouraged me to pursue my goals with confidence. Having someone in your corner who believes in you unconditionally provides a level of strength and reassurance that is truly invaluable.

Looking back, I realize that the guidance, encouragement, and belief from these individuals played a significant role in helping me reach where I am today. Their support helped shape my confidence, my work ethic, and my perspective on what is possible, and I carry those lessons with me throughout my career.

The best career advice I have ever received was to always remember the human side of the business and focus on relationships first. In the wedding industry especially, success does not come from simply selling a product. It comes from building trust, showing up for people, and truly understanding the experience you are helping create.

One of my mentors taught me early on that if you take care of people and do the right thing, the business will follow. That advice has stayed with me throughout every stage of my career. Whether I was working directly with brides in a fitting room or now supporting bridal boutiques and consultants across my territory, my focus has always been on building genuine relationships and making sure people feel supported.

Another piece of advice that has shaped me is to never stop learning and never assume you know everything. This industry is constantly evolving, and the most successful people are the ones who stay curious, listen carefully, and continue to grow. I have always tried to approach my work with that mindset, whether it is learning from store owners, consultants, designers, or even the brides themselves.

At the end of the day, this industry is built on trust, collaboration, and passion. The best advice I ever received reminded me that if you stay grounded in those values, success will naturally follow.

The best career advice I give is to be as authentic as you can be and to move through your career with as much confidence as possible. When you are genuine in who you are, people respond to that. Authenticity builds trust and allows you to create real connections with the people around you.

I also always encourage people to lean on the community around them. Collaboration is incredibly powerful, especially among women in this industry. There are so many talented and inspiring women doing amazing things, and being able to learn from one another and support each other makes all of us stronger.

One of the biggest challenges in the bridal industry is that the bride is constantly evolving. As new generations come into the market, the way they shop, communicate, and make decisions changes quickly. Just when you feel like you truly understand one generation of brides, a new one begins entering the space and the expectations shift again.

Right now, much of the industry is learning how to better connect with Gen Z brides. Their priorities and the way they engage with brands can be very different from millennials. The things that mattered to millennial brides may not hold the same value for Gen Z, so it requires us to continually adapt the way we communicate, present our collections, and build trust.

A big part of that challenge is making sure our brands feel authentic. Brides today are very aware of when they are being “sold to,” and they value honesty and transparency. It is important for us to make sure we are not coming across as traditional salespeople who are simply trying to make a quick sale. While we are certainly in sales, the heart of this industry is about helping someone find the piece that completes one of the most meaningful days of their life.

Navigating those generational shifts requires constant learning and awareness. It means paying attention to what matters to brides today, understanding how they communicate, and making sure the experience we provide feels genuine and supportive. Just when you feel like you have one generation fully figured out, another begins to emerge, which keeps the industry both challenging and exciting.

For me, the biggest thing has always been authenticity. I believe strongly in being genuine in who you are and surrounding yourself with people who share that same authenticity. When you build relationships that way, they tend to be stronger and more meaningful, and they last much longer.

I also tend to think very long term in everything I do. I am extremely goal driven and always focused on growth. I’m constantly asking myself what the next step is, how I can improve, and how I can continue to evolve within my career. In many ways I truly am a Capricorn through and through. I’m always thinking about what comes next and how I can continue to move forward.

A big part of that mindset is innovation and growth, not just for myself but for the people I work with. I care deeply about helping the stores and partners I work with succeed, and I’m always thinking about how I can support them in reaching their goals as well. Their success is ultimately tied to my success, and that collaborative growth is something I value.

That mindset is actually what led me to transition into wholesale. After spending so many years on the customer facing side of the business, I felt that the next step in my career was to broaden my perspective and learn another side of the industry. Moving into wholesale allowed me to grow in a new way and better understand the full scope of the bridal business. It has helped me become more well rounded while still staying connected to the same goal that has always driven me, which is helping people succeed and continuing to grow within an industry that I truly love.