Say Yes to the Dress’s 洛丽·艾伦 Speaks on her 哥伦比亚大学 Experience

As an 18-year-old girl, with intentions to move back down South for college after a recent relocation to Fairfield, OH, 洛丽·艾伦 had a special feeling that 哥伦比亚大学 was for her. You know her as 洛丽·艾伦: bridal couture expert with over 40 years of experience and star of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. 然而, long before she was a famed fashion icon and television personality, 洛丽·艾伦 was an aspiring college student chasing her life-long dream of owning her own business. When touring colleges – and she toured many – 哥伦比亚大学 stood out to her because of the smaller class sizes, faculty that was more involved with the campus community, and the ingenuity of the women she met while visiting. During her years at 哥伦比亚大学, Lori loved her time living and making memories with women who are still in her life today, women who have supported her throughout her journey, and women whose friendships have remained constant throughout the years. Lori attended 哥伦比亚大学，而她 从不回头.

For as long as she can remember, Lori has had a dream of owning her own business, and 哥伦比亚大学 offered her the opportunity to acquire a quality 业务 education and the added benefit of enrolling in a few Fashion Merchandising courses at the neighboring campus, the University of South Carolina. This allowed her to hone her focus during her time in undergrad. Just two weeks after her graduation from 哥伦比亚大学, Lori had the knowledge and the confidence, with the help and support of her parents, to start her first bridal boutique and modern-day bridal empire. Lori opened the doors to 《火博体育》，而她 从不回头.

With 25 bridal gowns and a 1,000平方英尺, Lori would make history, but it would not come easily. During this time in her life Lori says she was, “Letting it (the business) bake like a cake in the oven….慢烤蛋糕!” Lori says that she did not make money for quite a while, pouring every penny she made back into the business. Eventually, she remembers allowing herself to take home $100 per week as a “salary.” In just over 40 years in business, 《火博体育》 has outfitted over 450,000年的新娘, and Lori still contends that her favorite part of her job is the feeling she gets when she helps a bride find the dress of her dreams. Lori says that when a bride finds her perfect dress, everything changes: she stands differently, color rushes to her face, and many well up with tears of relief, 幸福的泪水, and tears of gratitude. That special feeling for brides is not unlike the feeling she experienced many years ago, searching for a college home. Like her brides, Lori immediately knew 哥伦比亚大学 was right for her. Lori held on to that special feeling，而她 从不回头. 

As a recently named Forbes “50 Over 50” Influential Woman, Lori wants to encourage current students that have a similar dream of starting a business to have an end goal, for that end goal will soon become a passion. She advises to gain as much knowledge as possible – 哥伦比亚大学 can help – and prepare to make informed decisions that will allow for success. After setting a goal to achieve and adequately preparing, be willing to start small and put in the hours of hard work. While working hard, stay focused and never give up. When one has a passion, there is never a day spent working. After all, look at 洛丽·艾伦. She attended 哥伦比亚大学，而她 从不回头.