Yolanda Cellucci to be guest speaker at upcoming luncheon
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

Marlborough - Since 1967, Yolanda Cellucci, owner of Yolanda's of Waltham, has built up a wedding empire in the Boston area. In addition to continually growing and expanding her business, she is also actively involved with mentoring business professionals through public speaking. On Friday Sept. 14 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Cellucci will be in the Metrowest area, where she will be the featured guest speaker at the monthly Women's Business Council (WBC) luncheon held at the Embassy Suites Hotel from September through May.

The WBC luncheons are an opportunity for professional women in the community to network with other professionals. The guest speaker provides a real-life connection with women who have excelled in their careers. The luncheons are open to both men and women in the community.

According to Catherine Mogavero, executive vice president of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, the women selected to speak at the luncheons inspire both the aspiring and accomplished women who attend the luncheon.

Cellucci will kick off this month's luncheon with her own inspirational story and will be available for questions from the luncheon guests. She said the she loves being asked questions because it often stimulates a discussion that might not have happened otherwise.

At the luncheon, Mogavero said, Cellucci will tell about her life as an award-winning businesswoman, from the 1960s to the present.

Cellucci began her entrepreneurial career based on a vision she had 38 years ago.

"It was so difficult when I was starting out; I did not have any help," she said. "People laughed at me when I told them that I wanted to put all these things together; no one was doing it and they thought it was ridiculous."

Her business began with a beauty shop that also had a large retail component, with wigs for both medical and fashion purposes. Ten years into it, she transitioned to offering wedding dresses. Twenty-seven years and several expansions later, Yolanda's provides one-stop shopping for bridal parties: a gym, spa treatments, hair appointments, dresses, shoes, a jewelry shop and much more.

Today, at the age of 72, Cellucci is the proud owner of a multimillion-dollar wedding enterprise.

"I feel great and it [the business] is still wonderful," said.

Cellucci has been awarded several distinctions recognizing her high standards of customer service, her business knowledge, and her willingness to evolve with the trends of the industry. She was saluted by the New York Times in May of 2004 for outfitting same-sex couples with wedding garments, which she has been doing for years.

"Two dresses are better than one," she said.

She has used the Internet to promote and enhance her business. She also expanded her market base when she discovered a hole in the market for customers from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Yolanda's off ers a "Global Collection" with Indian, Italian and Greek designers.

"It is not the traditional white dress anymore," she said.

Cellucci recently received the Best of Boston Award (for wedding dresses) for 2006 and the first Outstanding Retailer Award from the Chicago Apparel Center, Modern Bride and the national Bridal Market Association.

Cellucci loves her business, she said, but she really enjoys working with and speaking with women who are just starting out in their careers.

Anyone interested in attending the luncheon must register in advance. Contact the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce at 508-481-1819.