At 55, Marissa walked into an upscale bridal salon, excited to try on wedding dresses for the first time. As a proud Hispanic woman, she anticipated judgment — but the reception was worse thanexpected.Two young, polished saleswomen immediately sized her up. One commented that the dresses were “delicate,” implying she shouldn’t touch them.
The other directed her toward the clearance rack, assuming she couldn’t afford the more expensive gowns. When Marissa pointed to a $10,000 lace dress, they laughed and condescended, warning her it was “out of budget.”
Just then, the salon manager, John, stepped in and revealed the truth: Marissa was engaged to the salon’s new owner — Mr. Shepherd — and would soon co-own the boutique. The saleswomen were stunned. John was furious and nearly fired them on the spot for their disrespect.But Marissa had a better idea.
Instead of letting them go, she assigned them both new roles: one would be her personal assistant until the wedding, the other would study bridal fashion inside and out. “This business is about making every bride feel beautiful,” she reminded them. Humbled and shaken, they quickly got to work — one fetching champagne, the other preparing her chosen gown. Marissa smiled, knowing she had just taught them a lesson they’d never forget. Now, it was time to find her dream dress.