Gen O Story by Linda Persigehl Photos by minorwhitestudios.com
A
s Jocelyn Robertshaw arrives at our photographer’s
studio, it becomes immediately obvious that this is a young woman with concrete goals and the ambition to attain them. A petite, pretty young blonde dressed to the nines, she hauls in two full-size mannequins (taller than her) and two beautiful designer bridal gowns and quickly dresses them for the shoot. She’s fully prepared to promote her Rockbrook Village wedding dress boutique Ready or Knot, which she opened in August 2011. “I want [my shop] to become to one of the Midwest’s premier destinations for bridalwear,” Robertshaw, 30, explains. “I want to create a personal connection with our clients…have them feel like their shopping from a fun closet…make it a good experience for them, not at all overwhelming.” A native of small-town Aurora, Neb., west of Lincoln, Robertshaw earned a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She spent several years in medical sales, traveling daily and moving several times, all the while saving for her dream of owning her own business. “I’ve always loved weddings,” shares Robertshaw, who says as much with her very animated hands and her smile as she does with her words. “I was in my first wedding at age 4, and I loved it! I’ve subscribed to Martha Stewart Weddings magazine for years.” 114
may/june • 2012
Jocelyn Robertshaw
Said Yes to the Dress
After watching so many of her hometown and college girlfriends make the trek to Kansas City to shop for couture bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses, she decided there was definitely a wedding niche to fill in Nebraska. “It was always a hassle…getting all the friends and family to drive down to KC, going back and forth for fittings,” she says. Robertshaw used her own money for the start-up costs to open Ready or Knot last year, and has since worked to grow her clientele by creating a “chic, stylish and modern experience for Omaha area brides.” The store’s “big city couture style” bridal gowns range from $1,000 to $6,000; bridesmaids dresses range from $200 to $450; The shop also boasts “small town service” and regularly hosts special events including wedding designer trunk shows and Hitched Happy Hours, complete with champagne and cake for guests. The very sociable Robertshaw is active outside of work as well, networking through participation in Omaha Women’s Fund Circles, the UNL Young Alumni Board, Rockbrook Village Merchants Assoc., and Chi Omega Alumnae Group. www.OmahaPublications.com