Deryane Tadd, Founder of The Dressing Room: Train, empower and encourage your team

Monday, 15 April 2019

Deryane Tadd has worked in the retail fashion industry for over 25 years, and is the owner of The Dressing Room, an independent boutique and website www.the-dressingroom.com based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. As the sole buyer for The Dressing Room, Deryane has a distinct eye for up and coming designers and forward-thinking trends, Sourcing over 100 different brands from across the globe to stock both in store and online.

The Dressing Room has become one of the UK's most respected independent retail businesses, with 6 Drapers awards to its name and is a regular in the top boutiques lists; featured in the Top 50 Independent Boutiques in Stella Magazine 2019.Deryane herself is extremely influential within the Fashion Retail Industry being named twice in the POWER LIST as one of the 100 most influential people in the Fashion Industry; invited to attend the House of Lords business reception; on the judging panel for Drapers Independent Awards and voted as an Everywoman Retail Ambassador.

“Starting out in business I faced many challenges, I was often not taken seriously by banks and landlords because I was a young woman.  This just made me more determined, resourceful and resilient and I find that most female entrepreneurs have this inner strength that ultimately makes them incredibly successful.”  

Deryane’s Top Tips

• Know your customer and ensure that every decision you make is with them in mind.  It sounds simple but it can easy to stray from your initial business values as your business grows.
• Train, empower and encourage your team, whether that be a team of one or a team of 100.  Your team are your most important asset, you can’t grow a successful business if your team don’t understand your goals and vision.  
• Don’t be afraid or too proud to ask for help, whether that be if you are struggling to pay your bills or simply need some advice.  Most people and suppliers will be more than happy to help you as long as you talk to them about your concerns.