Today we’d like to introduce you to Debi Camp.
Hi Debi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our business was born from a simple idea and a love of dance.
My daughter, Duffy Betterton, and I both competed in ballroom dance. Anyone in the dance world knows ballroom gowns are stunning — and expensive. Many are only worn a handful of times before they’re ready for a new dancer. At one competition, we were chatting with a dance friend, Carolyn about all the beautiful dresses hanging in closets, no longer being used. Since Duffy is a website designer, we wondered: what if there were a place online where dancers could list their gowns for others to buy, borrow, or share?
When we talked with our friends, we were surprised. They didn’t just want a website to post the dresses on — they wanted us to actually manage the dresses. We needed a little time to explore what that would look like because that meant a much bigger commitment. We took time to think about what this would mean and to pray about it. We decided to proceed, and that decision launched our business.
Before long, we realized that to truly serve the dance community, just a website was not enough, we needed to show up in person. So we began setting up as vendors at competitions. It was more work than we imagined — and far more rewarding. We loved meeting dancers, seeing them compete, and helping them feel confident and beautiful on the floor.
Today, we travel to competitions across the region, including NDCA and USA Dance ballroom competitions, as well as, UCWDC country dance events (where yes — you’ll see ballroom gowns paired with cowboy boots, and men in ballroom attire topped with cowboy hats!). We also partner directly with studios for exclusive trunk shows.
We’re proud to support the vibrant dance community here in Middle Tennessee, the southeast and beyond — helping every dancer step onto the floor feeling their absolute best.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Our Challenges
Each growth spurt and transition has had it’s own challenges. We started with the dresses in my dining room in suitcases and then as we grew we moved them to my daughter’s dining room. Taking pictures for the website in our homes was a little challenging for both of us and our families! We then moved to a storefront as we grew out of what was comfortable in our homes. Covid hit right about that time and the shop actually saved us as people could come in individually to shop and feel safe. There was a hunger for connection since competitions were on hold. For us this was a blessing to serve our dancers in this way.
I was a nurse working in IT at Vanderbilt when we started the business. I retired last year and Duffy is a web designer. We do this business part time. We are both busy with family, church and ministries. Duffy is also involved with Leadership Sumner, so as we grew, finding balance with our new dance business and all these things was and still is an ongoing challenge. Duffy has three daughters and I have another granddaughter that we have been blessed to be involved in the business. Two are dancers themselves, another is interested in photography, one is a fashion design major at SCAD and one likes to help with the bling. And all of them have helped or worked in the business in different aspects such as helping set up at a venue and manage the booth, taking pictures of the dresses and learning how to upload them to the website, receiving new products, organizing them and inventory . Two have also made some of the ballroom jewelry and helped with alterations. We have loved sharing this business with them and I think they have learned so much about business. Sometimes they enjoy it and sometimes they don’t. However, being mom and grandma and boss in a family business has its own challenges!
Another challenge is Duffy and I might see different ways to do things and so we have to talk and work that out. That became more evident when I retired as I spent more time in the shop and previously that burden had been mostly on Duffy.
This one might surprise you. Our philosophy and goal for our business is to help everyone find the right dress or outfit for them to feel beautiful on the dance floor – no matter their size and no matter their price point. We love helping someone find the right dance outfit and feel good about it. So, we are not pushy, and honestly we are not great “closers” of the sale – on purpose! We sell an outfit when it is the right one for that person and they are delighted in buying it.
We’ve been impressed with Dance Dress Couture and Ballroom Box, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are most proud of our connection with dancers. that we have developed by listening to them not just about dance wear, and truly caring for them. We have consignors and customers all over the country even though we mainly vend in the southeast due to driving distance. When we get to competitions we often have friends who come by to chat and catch up and they help us set up or take down. They often sit and talk with us, and offer to man the booth so we can get a break to eat or dance. We are blessed! Psalm 149:3 is our verse and philosophy. “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.”
What started as a conversation has grown into a full-service dance wear business. We now offer:
*Women’s consignment ballroom gowns
*New men’s dance wear and accessories
*Ballroom crystal jewelry
*Ballroom shoes
*Custom tail suits and smooth suits
A later addition we have is the Ballroom Box. This is a quarterly subscription service for dancer related items that we curate each quarter to support our dancers.
We’re proud to support and be a part of the vibrant dance community — helping every dancer step onto the floor feeling their absolute best.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Come shop with us and get to know us! We are open by appointment in our shop which is located at 394 West Main Street, Suite B17, Hendersonville, TN 37075. We work with our clients to find a time even on weekends and in the evening that works for their life. Appointments can be booked through our website or just call us! We also offer Zoom or FaceTime appointments for fitting or suggestions for those who don’t live within driving distance
Pricing:
- Dresses range from $50 to $4000
- Men’s wear is $140- 220 for pants and shirts
- Mens custom tails and suits range from $1200- 1600
- Ballroom Box is $79.95
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dancedresscouture.com and www.ballroombox.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancedresscouture
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dancedresscouture
- Email: info@dancedresscouture.com and contact@ballroombox.me
- Phone: 615-873-0478
