Meet Ali Eagen | Fashion Designer and Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ali Eagen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ali, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Our commitment to our customers’ satisfaction. Working in the wedding industry, and in wedding dresses specifically, it can be a very stressful environment for some. Women put immense pressure on themselves during their wedding planning process, and it can take it’s toll on them physically and mentally. We understand that we don’t just make dresses, but we help build confidence and ensure comfort for our clients. They shouldn’t have to think of the little things on their wedding day because we do it for them. We anticipate their needs and present them with solutions for problems before they arise. We’re a full service business, specializing in custom design wedding gowns, reconstructed vintage gowns, creative solutions for alterations and accessories and more. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories of brides’ experiences with other tailors or bridal shops, and we try to be a big hug for them. Our clients only cry happy tears!
We always over deliver and go out of our way to make our clients wedding planning easier. Our clients really appreciate how upfront we are about the process and investment, and they know that we will take on the stress that they feel and help it melt away. Our studio is beautiful and intimate, and we always – ALWAYS – say “yes” to whatever they ask.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I knew I would be in a creative field from the age of 5. You would always find me crafting, drawing, creating, singing, and dreaming big. When I started to really find myself in my teenage years, I was so drawn to fashion for it’s outwardly expressive nature. There is real power one feels when they are so confident in themselves, and often times that comes from what you wear and how you present yourself to the world. I ended up in the wedding industry after starting my business in 2010. It seemed like a natural progression for me, as my personal views of fashion are just that – personal. I don’t tend to subscribe to trends or fads, and I never suggest them to my clients. I help women cultivate their own sense of self through tailoring garments to their comfort and style. We collaborate to create a dress that makes them feel like their most authentic self, with a huge boost of self confidence.
Our commitment to each individual client and their experience and satisfaction continues to help our business year after year. Word of mouth is our main driver for marketing our business. I think if you invest in your client’s experience and give them more than they expect, you don’t have to spend money on marketing. Your time and efforts have already gained you more business.
I’m most proud of our impact on women’s’ sense of self and happiness. If we can make a woman feel her best, it fills me with so much pride and gratitude.
It was not “easy” to get to where we are today. I’ve had to spend years working around the clock with little to no pay just to keep the doors open and build myself up. My family has been the biggest help through the challenges. If I didn’t have their support, emotionally and financially – I don’t think I would still be in business. Plus, it has taken a few years for me to figure out how my niche business fits into this market in Buffalo.
I want the world to know that when they work with us at anatomy, they are truly the most important to us. Their investment in this business is an investment in another human, just trying to live her truth and help others feel good. The world should know that when you make genuine connections with your clients and community, there is no way you won’t succeed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Obviously – chicken wings are the top priority! If we had a whole week, we would definitely take them to our favorite spots for food. Buffalo is a big food town. For wings: Gabriel’s Gate, BarBill, Mamosers. Our other favorite places include Kunis, Left Bank, Essex Pub, Lloyd, The Grange, The Place, Butter Block, Jasmine. We would pop into a yoga class at Heart Fire Yoga, go see the Falls (of course!), and check out the various Frank Lloyd Wright homes and buildings in the area. The AKG Museum and Burchfield Penney are two world renown art galleries. There is quite a burgeoning local theatre scene, so we could catch a show at a local theatre or Shea’s Broadway Theatre. In the summer time the parks are beautiful, and the local towns surrounding the city of Buffalo have adorable little main streets with shopping and cafes. Buffalo is rich with history, so we could also do a tour of the mansions, historical sights and architecture that we are so famous for.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My close friends and family. Buffalo is such a unique small-big city in that they truly boost their local communities. There is very little competition over community, so it’s easy to flourish if you have the right foundation and make the right connections. So much of my business success has revolved around evolving and growing. There are a few key people in my personal life who are old friends, and new friends who have become best friends through business. They are crucial to my success through helping with Excel spreadsheets, rebranding my business, strategizing best practices and systems to use. I have always been willing to put in the grunt work, but to have folks to help guide me has been key to my success.

Website: www.madebyanatomy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebyanatomy/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-eagen-6526a888/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madebyanatomy

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/madebyanatomy/

Image Credits
Seventh Arrow Studios.