Meet Paulette Khoury of Archive Bridal / The Dress Vault

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paulette Khoury

Hi Paulette , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
A decade ago, I saw a need in my community for a place where women could find beautiful, unique dresses for special occasions—a space where they could dress up, feel gorgeous, and genuinely enjoy the shopping experience. This vision led to the founding of Archive Bridal, and today, we’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of brides find their dream gowns. Recently, we expanded into The Dress Vault, fulfilling my vision of making special-occasion shopping enjoyable and accessible for every woman. From graduations to weddings, we often put ourselves last, so I wanted to create a destination where women could feel like celebrities with personalized styling, fittings, and high-quality service, all at attainable prices.

My journey wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of my husband, who has stood by me every step of the way. Together with my three sisters and our wonderful team, we’ve created a family-run business that brings joy to so many. While I began my career straight after college in Public Relations, sitting behind a computer, I found I was missing the human connection and realized it was time for something new.

Every day, I feel grateful for the opportunity to meet amazing people, be part of their special moments, and to have the flexibility to spend time with my two boys. I’m also able to stay connected to my community by supporting organizations I’m passionate about, like the Community Resource Center, which provides essential services to women and families. It’s been a rewarding journey, and I’m so proud of the business we’ve built together

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely been full of challenges. Running a brick-and-mortar store in an online-driven world is tough. We’re constantly competing with the ease of online shopping, where people can browse and buy from anywhere. Keeping customers coming in means investing in a large inventory to offer a great selection, maintaining a physical storefront with high rent, and putting out constant marketing to remind people that we’re here, we’re local, and we need their support.

Adding to that, balancing everything has been a real struggle. As a mom, I want to give my best to my boys, and I also have a deep passion for volunteering, especially supporting organizations that uplift women and families in need. But time management is an ongoing challenge, trying to give my all to the business, my family, and my community commitments. It’s hard to be present in every area, and I constantly have to find ways to juggle it all while still being fully there for my family and my work.

Even with these struggles, the rewarding part is seeing people connect with what we’re doing—seeing women feel amazing and celebrating life’s big moments makes it all worth it. And I’m grateful for the incredible support of my husband and family who help make it all possible

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At our bridal store, we specialize in offering the newest designer wedding gowns along with all the accessories—veils, jewelry, and more—that make a look complete. We’re known for our full-service shopping experiences, where brides and women shopping for special occasions can feel like they’re stepping into a couture fashion house. Beyond bridal, we offer a selection of special occasion dresses, custom jewelry, loungewear, and lingerie. Our on-site sewing studio also allows us to craft custom gowns from scratch, making any vision a reality. We’re proud to host monthly events where we collaborate with local businesses, bringing our community together and creating memorable shopping experiences

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
My “favorite” or more like only book i’m reading right now is actually my LSAT prep book. I’m studying to take the LSAT next spring to finally fulfill my goal of becoming a lawyer. This journey is personal to me; my dad was a lawyer, and I promised him I’d continue his legacy. Diving into this material brings me one step closer to honoring that promise, and it’s keeping me motivated every day

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.archivebridal.com
• Instagram: @archive_bridal