Dynamic Duo: Melissa and Natalie of Bella Bianca

Sisters, Melissa Russell and Natalie Bauer of Bella Bianca Bridal Couture have built two expansive salons in Chicago & Oakbrook Terrace. Inspired by their entrepreneurial parents, from a young age they knew they wanted to work together. After Discovering their passion for wedding fashion, they founded their salon to serve the bride in her ultimate search for the dress. Offering domestic and international designer brands, expert stylists and highly skilled seamstressES. We sat down and asked Melissa and Natalie how they work so well together.

1. Who’s older?

Melissa: Natalie is! Of course like any younger sister, I am always happy to answer that question 😊 Natalie is 3 years older than me, which I remind everyone when they ask if we are twins.

2. How did you end up working together?

Natalie: Being that we were raised by two very driven entrepreneurs, we always knew that we wanted to partner in business eventually. Over the years we explored various concepts, but it was after a shopping experience for Melissa’s own wedding gown where we realized that this was the industry we wanted to pursue. We were really motivated by the idea of creating a shopping environment and experience that we felt was needed in our market at the time.

Melissa: We knew nothing about retail or the bridal industry, but in so many ways that was beneficial for us. We were driven first and foremost by the idea of what brides wanted from their gown search, what they deserved in that process and how we could stand out in the crowd. And then of course we benefited from the business foundation and intense work ethic that our parents exemplified. Many people warned us that business and family can be a dangerous combination, but for us it was the best decision. 

3. Did you dream of wedding dresses when you were children?

Natalie: One of our favorite things to do as kids in the summer was sit outside with bridal magazines and each tear out pages of dresses that we loved. We would label them with which season we would pick that dress for and what type of wedding it would be. Who knew that we were foreshadowing our future!

4. What roles do you do in the salon, do each of you have different talents? 

Melissa: Our roles have certainly evolved over time. When we opened the first store, Natalie and I were basically the receptionists, stylists, marketing department, maintenance team, and everything in between! We very naturally fell into separate operational tasks, with Natalie handling the financial aspects while I managed most of the designer correspondence. As we have grown to 4 stores, we keep the same basic delegation of tasks but with a much larger team so we can now focus on the bigger picture. 

Natalie: Over the last decade, we have learned so much about ourselves and each other when it comes to strengths. We know when to step in for each other and when to let the other take something and run with it. 

5. Do you make every decision together?

Natalie: Whe actually do! There isn’t any significant business decisions that we don’t discuss and come to a conclusion about together. I think that is because we genuinely value each other’s perspective and we know that each of us always has something to consider and evaluate. Oftentimes we are already in agreement but even if it doesn’t begin that way, by the end of the conversation we are on the same page. 

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

Melissa: Depends on the importance of the decision. When we are each passionate about different gowns to purchase at fashion week and the other doesn’t agree, we settle it like any good sisters would...with a bet. We get both dresses and the first to be purchased wins, giving that sister bragging rights and the ability to ridicule the other for 6 months. 

Natalie: Joking aside, when it comes to more serious business decisions we really just talk it through. Our personalities are very similar, but we are also very different when it comes to our approach to things. Having different perspectives enables us to effectively weigh both sides of an issue and ultimately compromise on what usually is the best outcome. 

7. What is your favorite part of working together?

Melissa: My favorite part of working with Natalie is that I never have to feel alone. As a business owner, no matter how large your team is it is easy to feel isolated and alone because all of the pressure falls on you. I feel lucky that in the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, I never feel like I am in this by myself because I have her right there with me.

Natalie: The best part for me is how well our personalities compliment each other and the business. Melissa is naturally the “what’s next” sister who is always plotting ways to push us to the next level; whereas I am the more grounded one, typically pumping the breaks until we make sure it is the best move. It is the perfect yin and yang because every partnership needs both sides and you need trust in the other person in order to step outside your own views and comfort zone.


8. What is the most challenging part of working together?

Melissa: Probably the most challenging part is turning off the sister aspect. We may not fight over stealing each other’s clothes anymore, but when we disagree it effects work life and home life because the lines are blurred. Luckily, much like our ridiculous high school arguments, we get over everything quickly.

Natalie: I would say learning to turn off the business conversations when we are not “at work”. Sometimes we find that work talk creeps into our time with family and we have to make a real effort to step away when its time to focus on other things. 

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

Melissa: We really try not to, but inevitably it makes its way into the conversation. Not only do we own the stores together, but we also live on the same street! Our kids are like a little gang, going everywhere together, so when we are not at work we are still together at school events or just hanging out. The business is always part of the conversation but it doesn’t feel wrong because it is obviously a massive part of our lives. 

10. What is the most valuable thing being sisters as your business partner?

Melissa: Business partners need to know how to work through both success and failures, and we have been doing that since we were toddlers. We have a lifetime of experience in negotiating with each other which makes the process of debating how and when to grow the business much more productive.

Natalie: I would say that trust is the most valuable part. Business ownership often means making decisions that you have never encountered before, especially with all of the unprecedented events of 2020. Having someone who you would trust with your life along side you while navigating the tough times brings comfort to any challenge. 

11. Do any other family members help out?

Natalie: No other family members are directly involved in the business but we are so appreciative of the guidance we get from our parents and support from our older sister. Our parents were both immigrants to this country (Dad is from Greece and Mom is from Spain) who went from not speaking the language to each being incredibly successful business owners. There isn’t a single business problem or issue that they didn’t encounter so their advice is invaluable. They have stopped us from making really poor decisions and have cheered us on each time we have grown. We also have an older sister who isn’t involved in the stores, but is certainly our biggest cheerleader!

12. Any proud memories working together?

Melissa: Way too many to count. I remember the moment the sign went up on the building at our first location. It felt so monumental. We have had the privilege of watching that happen 3 more times, and it never looses its magic for me. I’m so proud that in the last 10 years we grew to make a name for ourselves in this industry and that our vendors not only count on us as a valuable retailer, but can also consider us part of their family.

Natalie: So many! Ultimately, I’m proud that through our ideas and direction we’ve created a place that brings so many brides happiness and employs so many amazing women. And through all of it we still find a lot of reasons to smile and laugh our way through.