Meet Gabi Lee | Small Business Owner

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

Hi Gabi, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued, or rather stumbled into, a career with creatives specifically because I don’t consider myself one, not in the traditional sense at least. I prefer a creative atmosphere and a certain aesthetic, but found my strengths in management, customer service and systems organization. You know who’s not always great at that, or at least doesn’t have time for that? – artists and creatives in the traditional sense. I was no MBA and accumulated more experience behind a bar than in a boardroom, so attaching myself to a small and creative business, like independent bridal design, allowed for me to grow in an industry that doesn’t require a degree but does reward a clear vision and a strong work ethic. I found a flourishing artist who needed a strong salesperson that believed in their product and was able to build a business around it. And now it’s the only kind of “career” I could imagine having. I always encourage young, entrepreneurial types who might have taken alternative paths, to just attach yourself to a small business and make yourself invaluable. It’s the first step in becoming an industry insider no matter what you’re pursuing. Find where you can serve and see the opportunities multiply.

What should our readers know about your business?
What are you most proud of?

I never imagined that custom work would be such a large part of what we do and what we are known for, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to see the looks our stylists & clientele have created over the years. From a lavender caftan to a black & blue tulle creation, we’ve seen some super unique stuff come from the minds of our brides.

We’re proud we have the kind of collection that inspires creativity and we’re proud to have designers who take such close care of each order that we are able to accommodate such varying visions. We’re also proud to carry a wide range of sample sizes and have the ability to order every dress in our store in any desired size. We’re proud to push the industry forward and to encourage our competitors to do better, for everyone’s sake.

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?
I love a good walking tour and you can find lots of cool ones online! Inman Park is a personal favorite, complete with a stop at the one-man-jail-cell. Then you aren’t too far from the Sweet Auburn District – where a stop at MLK’s birthplace, mausoleum, and Ebenezer Baptist Church is a must. Then maybe Slutty Vegan on Edgewood followed by sangria at Church. Skip the beltline proper, but definitely walk the Living Walls section in Cabbagetown and maybe grab a PBR at Estoria or a not-vegan burger at Little’s. The Center for Civil & Human Rights is an incredible gem if you haven’t been yet and for some reason we have a Ferris wheel within walking distance. Wings for dinner. I’m partial to the Local’s hot lemon pepper mix and the Righteous Room’s 1/2 1/2 mix, but you can’t go wrong with many a wing spot in the city. Finish the night off at Hotel Clermont, lounge or rooftop depending on the guest type 😉

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It’s no secret I rep Atlanta pretty hard, but I just don’t think there’s anywhere quite like it. I knew I didn’t want to start a business anywhere else and in retrospect, I’m not sure it would have been as successful anywhere else. It was other small business owners who encouraged our journey and shared resources, it was local vendors who helped build our client base and our 5000sqft Westside space. And it was lifelong Atlanta friends and neighbors who became our first brides or biggest fans. The spirit of Atlanta inspires everything from our collection to our drink service, and our interior style to our social voice. While we service clients from all over the world, we never separate ourself from our city and recognize we wouldn’t have this story with out the support of such a diverse, resilient, creative and compassionate community.

Website: www.thesentimentalistatl.com

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

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

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-sentimentalist-atlanta

Image Credits
Sawyer Baird Elicia Bryan