Influential Woman · Custom Wedding Dresses that are Self-Expressive
Manal Chamseddine
MBA, MEd, PMP, CSPO
Founder, Brand and Product Manager, Brides & Tailor
Canton, MI
Her Story
About Manal
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Manal
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, intentional self-awareness, and the willingness to build differently. I’ve learned to trust both data and intuition, to listen deeply to the people I serve, and to evolve without abandoning my values. Embracing my bold brain rather than fighting it has allowed me to turn complexity into creativity and challenges into systems that scale with purpose.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to stop waiting for permission. Clarity often comes through action, not certainty. Once I stopped trying to fit into existing molds and instead built systems that worked for how I think and lead, my growth accelerated—both professionally and personally.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Build skills before seeking validation, and don’t dilute your vision to fit industry norms. Learn the business side as deeply as the creative side—pricing, boundaries, systems, and contracts matter as much as talent. Most importantly, trust your perspective. The very thing that makes you different is often what the market is missing.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the largest challenges in custom bridal and fashion entrepreneurship today is balancing personalization with scalability. Clients increasingly expect deeply tailored experiences, but delivering that consistently—without sacrificing quality or efficiency—requires strong systems, intentional pricing strategies, and disciplined operations.
At the same time, there are significant opportunities. Technology and digital engagement are transforming how customers discover and interact with brands. Virtual fitting tools, social commerce, and storytelling-driven marketing allow small studios to compete with larger players in ways that weren’t possible even a few years ago. There is also a growing market for inclusivity—design that celebrates diversity of size, identity, and style—which presents a chance to lead rather than follow.
Overall, the most impactful opportunity lies in redefining industry norms: building sustainable, empathetic brands that scale without losing human-centered craftsmanship.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, empathy, and intentionality are the values that guide both my work and personal life. I believe in doing business with honesty and clarity—setting realistic expectations, honoring commitments, and building trust through consistency. Empathy shapes how I lead, design, and communicate, allowing me to create experiences that genuinely reflect the people I serve.
Equally important to me are growth and balance. I value continuous learning and self-reflection, while also protecting boundaries that support mental health, family, and long-term sustainability. As a founder and a mother, I strive to model resilience, compassion, and courage—believing that success is most meaningful when it is aligned with purpose and well-being.
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