Jane Skarosi, MBC™, MWV™Weddings…by Jane, www.weddingsbyjane.com, Naperville/Lisle, Ill. Employees: Owner-operated with strategic partnersRevenue Breakdown: 30% coordination, 20% full service, 50% gown serviceContact: 630.292.1181, wedbyjane@aol.com, Twitter@weddingsbyjane, Pinterest@wedbyjane, Facebook, LinkedInFamily: My husband, Lou, is my junior high school sweetheart. We have three married children and six grandsons.Education: I have a Bachelor of Arts in fashion merchandising from Dominican University in River Forest, Ill., a Master of Science in adult teaching and learning from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill., and a certificate in online teaching and learning.On achieving MBC™/MWV™ status: I entered the wedding business in 1984 as manager/buyer for the Bridal Mansion of Lisle, a bridal salon that sells bridal gowns and dresses for the entire wedding party. I joined the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) in 1996 because of the wonderful local networking and educational opportunities. After dressing brides, at their weddings through the store, I decided to start a wedding-planning service to make the store full-service. Thus began my second business, Weddings…by Jane. I continued upgrading my designations with the ABC until I was awarded the Master Bridal Consultant™ designation in 2004. When the new point system came about, I set my sites on the Master Wedding Vendor™ designation to benchmark my years as a wedding vendor. Presenting before a panel of my peers, I was awarded this designation at the 2008 Business of Brides conference. I was the first member of the ABC to hold both designations.On the Business: After working with over 6,500 brides in more than 29 years, I have been reinventing my business as I reach the slow-down stage of my life. Retirement seems like a quick stop to a passion that has consumed so much of my life. I still see myself about 25 years younger than my body is, so I decided to sell my store and change my wedding planning into a Bridal Concierge Business that caters to the brides’ personal needs, her gown, and offers extra hands for both the bride and any of our ABC planners that need assistance the week of the wedding. This reinvention has not come into complete fruition as yet, but is one of my biggest New Year’s resolutions.Industry Influencers: The Internet and manufacturers. In the bridal store industry, manufacturers have begun competing directly, via storefronts and online stores, with the businesses that bought and marketed their gowns for years.Mentors: Many people have had a hand in the success of my businesses, but first and foremost, I know that without my husband’s support and admiration and my children always rooting for me, I could never be the wife, mother, grandmother, and business person I have become. Frank Andonolpas, MBC™; Judy Alden, MBC™; and Elise Enloe, MBC™ have greatly inspired me along the wedding way. Networking with ABC members has provided more information and education than one could ever find in books.Inspiration: Attending the National Bridal Market bi-yearly, following blogs, attending local Bridal Expos, constant networking, and reading everything weddings keeps me in tune with the constantly changing market of wedding trends and fashion.Marketing Strategy: Since most of my brides come by word-of-mouth, I keep up with past clients, network with vendors, and keep my virtual presence up-to-date by offering timely information.On Staying Fresh: After a long wedding season, I find it refreshing to attend The Business of Brides ABC Annual Conference. It’s wonderful to talk to contemporaries who understand what you’ve been through and where you want to go. It’s one thing to talk to business people, but it’s an altogether different conversation when talking to people who have walked in your shoes.Ideal Client: My ideal clients are couples who respect each other, their families and friends, and feel the actual ceremony is the most important part of their wedding day. I love clients who realize that I’m there to help them plan the day but know their vows will change their lives.Recent Reads: The Flivver King by Upton Sinclair and Defending Jacob by William Landay.Hobbies: Crocheting custom golf head covers and baby blankets, reading, seeing my grandsons and my children whenever I can, driving my Miata convertible, watching reruns of Frasier, laughing with my husband, and writing a blog entitled the Retired Groom (http://tinyurl.com/octpee).Words of Wisdom: “Can’t was killed in the battle of try” was instilled in me during childhood by my dad. It has seen me through many battles and decisions in the world of entrepreneurship.On giving back: Serving as the ABC Illinois state manager; facilitating Expanding Horizon seminars and seminars at conference; and contributing to Wish Upon A Wedding have been my way of giving back to this great occupation and association.