Tell us about your retail store.

At Elizabeth Michaels, we pride ourself on customer service and personalized attention. We understand that every detail counts and nothing is unimportant.

What are your policies for doing business online?

We have limited on-line sales, shipping is extra, we use FedEx and UPS. All sales are final. We have shipped many gowns via telephone sales.

What divisions do you carry?

Pageant, Prom, Bridal, Special Occasion, and MOB.

Do you offer custom design services?

Owner Jane Engelke is very creative, and Elizabeth Michaels has an equally creative seamstress, Brenda McCann. Between Jane and Brenda, many stock gowns are redesigned to be totally different than what they originally looked like. Jane and Brenda also design and make talent and production-number outfits, swimsuits, and evening gowns. Jane has also designed shoes for the Miss America Shoe Parade and purses for the Purse-o-nality Sale for the Outstanding Teen America program.

Do you offer gown registry?

Every prom gown is registered to each girl and the school she attends. Each pageant gown is also registered to the gown owner.

What are some of the unique services offered at your store?

Elizabeth Michaels offers a total package for each customer. Services available include one-on-one work with interview skills, self-presentation skills, and stage presentation. We have all types of clothing needed for competition, including custom designs. We often make referrals for photography or consulting with nationally recognized people. Seminars are offered onsite from time to time with professionals, and designers can be brought in for custom gown options.

How do you reach your customers and grow your relationship with them?

Networking! Many of our referrals are from word-of-mouth recommendations from happy customers. Our web site is well used and gives us sales from across the country. Elizabeth Michaels does trunk shows out of the area for customers as well. They also attend local and national trade shows to sell their products and services. We believe in our customers and form personal relationships with them, often attending pageants to support their efforts. We keep in contact through phone calls, personal notes, and e-mail. Our customers become a part of the Elizabeth Michaels family.

Where do you see your business and industry trends heading?

It’s getting bigger and better, with lots of state and national pageant winners. We have been blessed with great success so far and have expanded three times. In 2002, Elizabeth Michaels had 192 square feet of space in Jane’s home in the historic district in Parkersburg. In July 2003, we moved to a storefront of 800 square feet on Parkersburg’s south side. In May 2005, we moved to Vienna, WV, with 2,000 square feet of space, and in March 2006 we added another 1,000 square feet — 3,000 square feet is still not enough! We have seen a dramatic increase in business each year. Elizabeth Michaels is a 2006 Diva Award Nominee for Prom.

Why do you love what you do?

We have loved pageants and pageantry all of our life. Being in this business allows us to use our creativity in many ways — designing clothing, working with people, and helping others achieve their goals. Art training allows us to create great makeup options for customers and to produce and direct our TV and print advertising. Touching the lives of so many phenomenal people, from the young pageant girls to their parents and grandparents, is just the frosting on an already awesome cake!

Elizabeth Michaels
established 2002
1505 Grand Central Avenue,
Suite B, Vienna, WV 26105

Jane Engelke
Nancy Engelke

www.elizabethmichaels.net
304-865-2670