When Deborah Collins opened her bridal boutique in Media back in 2014, there weren’t any Black-owned bridal boutiques in the area, writes Chanel Hill for the Philadelphia Tribune.

At The Dress Matters at 1024 N. Providence Road, every dress sells for under $2,500.

 “At the time, most of the boutiques were more upscale,” Collins said. “I wanted to create a bridal boutique that is down to earth and makes people feel relaxed when they come in the door.”

The 53-year-old won 2021 Best of Mainline for Bridal Boutique and Bridesmaid Boutique and was 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce.

Collins donates to organizations that help African American women and children and is a board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region.

The boutique employs four workers, one of whom is opening her own boutique in Malvern in September.

The boutique shut down for a few months under the pandemic but business has been good since reopening June 24, 2020.

Collins hopes her clients feel catered to from start to finish.

. “I want this to be a memorable experience for them that they will never forget.”

Read more at The Philadelphia Tribune about Deborah Collins.

Deborah Collins talks about her Media bridal boutique, The Dress Matters.