20 Questions with The White Files
The White Files is dreamy bridal marketplace and blog that celebrates fashion forward and modern weddings in Australia. Ella Zampatti started the business initially as an instagram account where she shared stunning wedding dresses from all over the world that you wouldn’t find in all the bridal shops. ”When people first started following the account I was surprised, but after a while when more and more came, I realised it was something other people were struggling with too.”
The swoon-worthy items for sale on The White Files have me wanting to get married all over again. Renew my vows perhaps?!
Check out the interview below on how Ella took her personal collection of photos on an instagram account to the flourishing business it is today.
WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BUSINESS AND WHAT INDUSTRY ARE YOU IN?
The White Files is a fashion forward wedding blog and curated bridal marketplace.
HOW LONG HAS YOUR SIDE HUSTLE BEEN RUNNING?
I lose track of time! I think I'm coming close to six years now.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I was working in a bridal boutique in suburban Perth and realised how so many people (including myself!) still had such traditional taste in bridal fashion (think mermaid and princess dresses) just through lack of exposure. So I decided to launch a bridal fashion blog to show people how you can carry your own style through to your wedding.
DO YOU STILL WORK FULL TIME ANYWHERE ELSE?
I quit my day job in January last year. I loved working there so much that I cried, but I knew if I didn't give my side hustle all my love and attention it would never get to where I wanted it to go.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST FINANCIAL INVESTMENT YOU'VE MADE IN YOUR BUSINESS?
Good quality photographers and experienced models for our photoshoots!
DID YOU INVEST IN BRANDING WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR BUSINESS?:
No I didn't and it's one of my business regrets. I did everything DIY to save money but I've never ever loved my logo and it's hard to get passionate about something you don't love!
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU REGRET OR WISH YOU HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY IN YOUR BUSINESS?
Taken myself more seriously at the start - I told myself it was just a hobby for the first few years so never invested in it or myself properly.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Collaborating with likeminded creatives on shoot and making genuine lifelong friends out of it.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Putting in boundaries - as I love what I do it's so easy to spend the whole evening or weekend 'working', but I'm trying to treat it like I would every other job with office hours and actually taking my first holiday away from the blog in years!
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT?
I went to write down a huge list of things, but to be honest making mistakes and learning from them has just been part of the journey!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR SELLING YOUR PRODUCT SERVICE?
High quality imagery and our dresses being featured on inspiring muses.
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO ORIGINALLY INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR SIDE HUSTLE?
One of my closest friends coincidentally started a blog at the same time as me and it was so great to have someone at the same stage of the journey as me to bounce ideas off, exchange contacts with and motivate me to keep going!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE ELSE STARTING A SIDE HUSTLE?
Take yourself seriously! There's nothing that someone you aspire to has that you don't, you can get there just with hard work and a little (okay a lot!) of time so keep going.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
I'm an early bird so I'll curl up with a coffee and get through all my admin before 9am, then get to the fun stuff! Whether it's planning shoots or pop up stores, the second half of the day is always different but creative.
HOW HAS LIFE CHANGED NOW THAT YOUR PURSUING YOUR PASSION AND LIVING YOUR DREAM?
The biggest difference is not having to get dressed to go into the office each day! I miss wearing all my corporate dresses but nothing beats staying in PJs for 5 days straight on an admin busy week... Think about how much time you save not having to get ready!
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN 5 YEARS?
For The White Files to be one of the leading destinations for fashion forward brides worldwide to shop their wedding day look.
BEST TIP FOR BUILDING/GROWING A COMMUNITY/FOLLOWING ONLINE?:
High quality images that you love and are proud of.
ANY OTHER ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU, YOUR BUSINESS, OR BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN GENERAL?:
Make sure you love what you do - it's cliche but then it feels like you never work a day in your life. Except tax time... Ew.
HOW DO YOU REST, RECHARGE?:
Curl up with a tea and a book and let the pages transport me to somewhere else.
ONCE COVID IS ALL OVER WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL TO?:
Any tropical island that's warm so I can just recharge on the beach. I've been saving names of beautiful remote islands in the Philippines and the list is getting long - so it might have to be an extra long getaway!
http://www.thewhitefiles.com
Insta: @thewhitefiles
