Jennifer Boyer's bulletin board is filled with pictures of happy brides, bridesmaids and high school girls in prom dresses.  She regularly hears from satisfied customers who thank her for the special treatment they received while choosing dresses for their special occasions.

It was a yearning for that kind of relationship-building that convinced Boyer to buy The Bridal Path, a 27-year-old fixture in Lewiston, in 2007. It became available at the same time Jennifer was burned out from years in the corporate world. She had owned a retail jewelry store early in her working career, and loved being able to provide customers with custom jewelry designed especially for them. She wanted to re-create mutually satisfying relationships that she had experienced with her jewelry store customers.   

Boyer first visited the Region II Idaho SBDC in spring 2007. She attended Director Jill Thomas-Jorgenson’s “How to Start a Business Boot Camp” with 20 other attendees. “I went because I was scared and I needed encouragement, support and cheer-leading. I got so much more than that. The SBDC is a reliable resource for small business owners. You can go there to get help and you leave with good basic business knowledge.” 

Managing a retail store in these days of economic downturn has its challenges; but, by setting goals and utilizing new strategies, Jennifer increased sales for the 2009 prom season by 12 percent over 2008.