From Weddings To Wisdom: 'Bridesmaid For Hire' Builds Niche Startup, Offers Career Guidance

In 2010, Jen Glantz graduated from the University of Central Florida with a diverse degree in English, poetry, and journalism. But it was her skill set as a bridesmaid that proved lucrative.

By 2014, Glantz initiated her entrepreneurial journey by advertising her “bridesmaid for hire” services on Craigslist.

The overwhelming response marked the birth of an innovative business: Bridesmaid for Hire.

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The venture has since diversified. Glantz, 35, now offers a range of services, including a newsletter and online courses. She also has a podcast and secured multiple book deals, collectively generating a monthly passive income exceeding $5,000.

The Bridesmaid for Hire story serves as both an illustration of entrepreneurial achievement and a reservoir of guidance for recent graduates aspiring to forge unique career trajectories.

"Ask yourself what skills do you already have? And then how can you optimize those skills?” Glantz told CNBC. “And what I mean by that is not just skills that you learned in college, not just skills related to your degree, but also personality skills, character skills, hobbies.”

Build connections and immerse oneself in diverse professional communities to ignite inspiration and generate innovative ideas, she advises. For example, participating in conferences like South by Southwest and engaging in various industry events can foster such invaluable networks.

“The people who go to these conferences are often seeking networking, meeting new people, community,” says Glantz. She also recommends enriching one’s academic knowledge through online educational resources like LinkedIn Learning and Udemy.

On monetizing one’s abilities, Glantz encourages others to harness and optimize inherent traits, hobbies, and character skills, in addition to academic competencies. Recognizing and capitalizing on these diverse skills can unveil unique and rewarding prospects, as evidenced by Glantz’s accomplishments in public speaking and her innovative business.

As she aptly states, “People will value other experience that you’ve had that was outside of what you studied.” 

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This story is part of a series of features on the subject of success, Benzinga Inspire.

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Image by Barbara A Lane from Pixabay