We had the good fortune of connecting with Phillip & Melanie Ward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Phillip & Melanie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
We had both been doing our own thing business-wise before we met each other; Phil doing DJing weddings and events and Mel doing makeup and calligraphy. When we got engaged Phil proposed that we become the ‘Chip and Joanna’ of the wedding world and become a brand together and he even had a name already in mind – Man and Bride. We honestly didn’t know if it would work since we have a hodgepodge of services that we do but we figured that the easier we make life for our clients to book multiple services they need in one place it might make us stand out. Luckily, we found a niche and people book us both together and a la carte for services.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets us apart is how long we have both been working at our craft. We both started working on our skills as pre-teens. We are in our early 30s so it is hard to believe we’ve each been doing our craft for 20 years. Melanie started out doing makeup on herself, family members, and friends. People around her started to see how beautiful her makeup work was and started encouraging her to do classes and makeup for weddings. Phillip started out at backyard parties and skating rinks before eventually building up enough skills to DJ at top clubs across Texas.

Along the way we’ve learned that even though we have both been doing our crafts for 20 years, we still have that tiny bit of doubt: Maybe we aren’t good at what we do? What if I mess up this time? …You know those kinds of doubts, we’ve found, keep us humble and in a posture of learning so we can continue to grow over the years.

We want the world to know that your idea is only dumb if you don’t try it out. We thought our business idea might be dumb but we tried anyway. If it failed, at least we know we went out trying versus never knowing if it would have been successful. Also, if you have a great spouse, communicate frequently and openly, and accept criticism you can have a business with your spouse – and when it works and you both are in your pocket doing what you love together it is AMAZING!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, we would have to hit up Frenchy’s Chicken – a Houston staple. We’ll need our bellies full for the adventure. We have kids so we definitely would hit up Discovery Green. We’re huge park people so we’ll go hang there for a bit. Mel’s a shopper so we’ll probably hit up the Gallo (Galleria Mall) to do a little shopping. By now, we’re hungry again and I know you don’t have a Pappadeaux we’re you are so we are definitely going to get some seafood!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We have to shoutout to our parents! Both of us started our crafts at a young age and our parents were kind enough to spend money investing in our hobbies that have now become a business. Phil’s parents would drive him once a month from Lake Jackson to Houston to buy new vinyl, his dad took him to buy his first turntables and mixer set, and his parents would let him take speakers from the house to set up and play in his friend’s backyard for parties in middle school. Mel’s parents would buy her makeup as often as she needed and let her practice on them and all of the family. We really wouldn’t be where we are without them seeing that we loved doing what we do.

Website: manandbride.com

Instagram: manandbride

Facebook: facebook.com/manandbride

Image Credits
Rae Leigh Photography

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