My Career: ‘I get to capture those magical ‘Yes to the dress’ moments’

Name: Claire Dilworth

Age: 49

Location: Dripsey, Co. Cork

Job Title: Owner and co-founder, Cinderella’s Closet Cork.

Salary Bracket: €40,000 – €60,000

Education Background: Finance

Hobbies: Shopping in antique stores - I love the memories and unique finds you simply can’t get in modern shops. Taking short breaks to beautiful European destinations.

Describe your job in five words: Rewarding, engaging, fun, busy, teamwork.

Describe yourself in five words: Creative, passionate, balanced, fun, fair.

What kind of personality suits this work? Determined, future-focused, adaptable, and an excellent communicator.

How long have you been in this role? 20 years.

How did you get this job? Throughout my career, I worked in customer service, logistics, and account management. I spent 10 years with Musgraves in the trading department, where I developed invaluable skills for running a business. I always knew I wanted to work in fashion, so 20 years ago I started Claire’s Dress Hire from a spare room in my home, hiring bridesmaids and debs dresses.

That small venture gave me the capital to invest in something bigger, and it grew steadily from there. Fifteen years ago, together with my sister and co-founder Annette Enright, Cinderella’s Closet was born. While Annette has since moved on, I’ll always be grateful to her - the business wouldn’t exist without her.

Do you need qualifications or experience for this job?

A background in finance is a huge asset when you’re self-employed. Knowledge of logistics is very helpful, particularly when working with international suppliers. Sales experience is absolutely essential.

Describe a typical day at work:

At Cinderella’s Closet, we have three private consultation suites. Each day is so different and full of excitement - one suite might have a bride-to-be choosing her dream dress, another could have an excited Communion girl with her family, and a third might have a TY Ball or Debs girl finding her perfect gown.

I’m usually based at reception, greeting customers, offering champagne to bridal parties, tidying dresses, preparing goodie bags, and handling calls and emails. I also get to capture those magical ‘Yes to the Dress’ moments on our famous pink throne!

Whenever possible, I attend networking events through the Blarney Chamber of Commerce and the Local Enterprise Office, which always organise fantastic opportunities for local businesses.

How many hours do you work a week?

On average, 40 hours — but being a seasonal business, that can vary. Summer is typically our quieter season.

What do you wear to work?

I like to dress smartly in clothes I love — usually a tailored blazer, smart trousers, and comfortable runners. I believe in dressing for confidence and success. Clothes are such an important form of self-expression.

I also admire our team members who can pull off wearing heels all day!

Is your industry male or female dominated?

The bridal industry is quite balanced — roughly a 50/50 split among designers worldwide. In our store, however, the team is mostly female.

Does this affect your work in any way?

Not particularly, especially since most of our customer base is also female.

Is your job stressful? How would you rate it from 1–10?

I’d rate it between a 6 and a 10. Being a business owner brings its own stresses - juggling multiple roles, dealing with rising costs, and managing logistics challenges.

Do you work alone or with others?

Cinderella’s Closet is made up of an incredible team of eight stylists, some of whom have been with me since the beginning. I’m also lucky to have my daughter, Shauna Dilworth, as our Company Director.

When do you plan to retire or stop working?

I haven’t really thought about retiring yet. When the time comes, I trust that our family business will continue to grow and thrive.

Best bits: Meeting new people and sharing in their special life moments. Receiving fantastic feedback about our amazing team, collections, and our beautiful 3,000 sq. ft. boutique. Seeing the photos customers send us after their big events. Looking at our awards wall - it’s wonderful to be recognised for the work we do.

Worst bits: Like many careers, the downside is sometimes spending time away from family. That said, our strong team means we can share hours, and many tasks like admin, ordering, and online sales can be done from home.

Advice for those who want a similar career: If you are career-driven, genuinely love working with people, have a passion for fashion, and a love of travel, this could be the perfect path for you.

Any other comments:

Building a business doesn’t happen overnight. Having a strong, supportive team, family, and friends makes all the difference.