How did you two become related and how did you end up working together?

It feels like we have been sisters forever, but Amber fell in love with Dawn’s brother in 2008, who then introduced Amber and Dawn to each other. Amber and Dawn went in to business together in 2009 running an event planning company. And then Kinsley James was born 4 years later.

What lead to opening the Kinsley James salons in West Hollywood and The Bay area?

Through our event planning experience, we found that there were several new and upcoming designers that did not have representation in the Bay Area. We also wanted to create a “couture experience” in a relaxing environment. We started getting a lot of brides flying in from Los Angeles, so despite our nervousness, we knew there was an opportunity in LA too, and went for it!

What specific roles do each of you do for the salons and do you each have different talents?

Amber: When we started out, Amber led the way with Marketing and Merchandising. Dawn had great strengths with taxes and accounting. The amazing things is that through the years, we have been able to teach each other so many things that our roles now are very blurred.

Dawn: Not to toot our own horn, but I have to say we are two very talented ladies! No…but seriously, it is crazy when you think about it but we both have played every role at Kinsley James at one time or another. We both have the same interest in learning something new and challenging ourselves. It has naturally worked out that Amber’s focus is LA and Dawn’s Walnut Creek.

Do you make all decisions together?

Pretty much. It’s our strength and our weakness. Ok, I guess not all decisions. But anything that will impact how the business will run or function, or a decision that will change a bride’s experience, we definitely run by each other! We see things very differently from each other, so it really is a perfect balance.

How do you settle a decision if you disagree with each other?

We tend to default on to our family who might help us put our values and priorities in line. For example, if trying to decide on something that will take away time from our family, we are reminded to prioritize our families first. If that doesn’t work, we may ask for non biased opinions of our senior managers.

What is your favorite part of working together?

Amber: Working with Dawn will always lead to some laughter! She’s amazing at balancing work and play.

Dawn: I love when we get into our idea mode. It always starts with basic conversation and escalades quickly to different discussions about new ideas, new ventures, and everything in-between!

What is the most challenging part of working together?

Amber: These days, the most challenging thing is finding time to work together. Between us, we have three kids in the mix now. And with both stores, time together is limited!

Dawn: Family business is not for the weak. With any successful partnership there will be bad days, disagreements, etc., and it can be challenging not to let that effect our time together with our family. Luckily we have a tight family bond and have learned how to work through things.

A big challenge was when we opened our West Hollywood Store. Amber and her husband Derik(my brother) relocated to LA and for the first time in many years, we were not going to be working together. Well, not in the same location anyway. I couldn’t just look up from my computer and ask her a question. It was an adjustment. I know, it sounds funny but it’s true, we really had to find a new way to communicate with each other and we did! I’m glad we experienced that back then because it has helped along the way.

Do you discuss business when you get together with your families?

This feels a bit abnormal to say, but no. We could literally leave work with a major project on our mind, and then get to a family dinner and not mention work once. We really try to separate our work and family relationship.

What is the most valuable thing working together as sisters-in-law?

We really can read each other’s mind. We find ourselves texting each other the same random thought about work life or family life at the same time. Our closeness makes us stronger together.

Amber: Describe working with Dawn - Dawn is someone who offers a really unique opinion and thought process. She sees things clearly outside of the box and always presents new ideas that were not obvious. She helps me to slow down and not rush decisions. Her ideas also help us balance each other out.

Dawn: Describe working with Amber - Working with Amber has honestly helped me to believe that no dream is out of reach! Of course you always believe that as a child and hold on to some form of that into your young adulthood and beyond. But the true process of having a dream and taking that idea - to conception is such a crazy beautiful process that I believe was much better experienced with Amber by my side.

Do any other family members help out at the salons?

We would say “no..” and our husbands would say “definitely yes!”. They don’t help with our day to day work of assisting brides, however they are often asked to help us with projects around the store, and to drive back and forth in between stores with gowns.

How have you adjusted to working with your brides in these unprecedented times?

What a year! We are proud to say Kinsley James is hanging in there. Covid has really pushed us to be better, implementing long time goals of e-commerce and ways for brides to shop at home. We have also limited the number of brides we see each day, which has been a silver lining. We are able to really spend quality time with each bride without feeling a need to end their appointment if they want to keep searching.

Any proud memories of working together?

Non Kinsley James related, but I remember working our first wedding at Payne Mansion together in San Francisco. We had this moment when the bride and groom were on the dance floor, and we looked at each other and said “We did it”. I think that is when we knew that together we could learn anything, and accomplish any goal we put our mind to.

I truly have so many proud memories throughout the years of us working together. One specifically that always sticks out is the day we opened our first store, Kinsley James Walnut Creek. I remember Amber and I standing up on the ladder before taking down the window coverings and looking at each other with so much excitement, joy, fear, and everything in between. It was a really proud moment for us and it’s pretty awesome I can still remember.