Today we’d like to introduce you to Joann Ambriz.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Formally Modern Tuxedo is an independently owned company comprised of a number of industry veterans with over 150 years of combined experience in men’s formalwear in the Chicagoland area. The group most recently comes from another men’s retailer that was purchased by the May Group, and then was sold and purchased again in early 2005 by Federated (Macys), then sold again and then consolidated.
Formally Modern Tuxedo came to be because a group of formalwear industry veterans were increasingly frustrated with huge conglomerates taking over privately owned stores and turning them into impersonal templates run from executive offices in other states. When a men’s formalwear chain has to compete with over 900 stores under its corporate parent’s banner to get attention, it might be difficult for customers to get exactly what they need.
At Formally Modern Tuxedo, each location is tailored to meet your needs with a salesforce empowered to make decisions about your specific order. You’re not dealing with the mindset of a huge conglomerate or an online company that knows nothing about you, but individual locations that cater to you.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Anything that a person is passionate about will bring struggles with that passion. Of course there were hiccups along the way, including a spiteful ex-employer who tried to put us out of business, the recession of 2008 when we were still a young company and the increasing costs of being in the City of Chicago. However when you love what you do and have that passion, it just makes you fight harder.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Formally Modern Tuxedo offers superb quality and the most fashionable garments. Grooms, groomsmen, men who have to go formal for any event – everyone will find themselves more at home at Formally Modern Tuxedo than any other menswear store. We not only carry the best in rental attire, we also carry a full line of designer clothing for purchase as well as custom clothing.
Formally Modern Tuxedo takes an old concept and makes it new again – specifically that means putting the customer first. It means attention to detail and knowing a face instead of just an order on a screen. Everything from the custom-designed stores to the top-of-the-line merchandise is geared toward smoothly guiding you through the process of renting or purchasing men’s attire.
Why choose us? In addition to the quality and service that a customer receives from Formally Modern, it is equally important that we are here in the community, supporting the community. We are local. Our garments are local. We are just down the street when you want to see what the groom will look like ahead of the wedding or when you find out today that your company wants you going to a formal function tomorrow.
What makes us different? We are not only a local business who employs local people but a small business started by a woman, the CEO is a woman and supports women and men who want to succeed and exceed at a career. We do not answer to investment firms or shareholders – we answer to the people who matter, our customers.
I am most proud of the people that I get to work every day. My coworkers always go the extra mile to exceed expectations and work to make sure that every event is a great experience.
What were you like growing up?
I was driven by competition. Being the youngest in the family I always wanted to be like my brothers & sisters so it drove me to excel. I started working when I was 15 because I wanted to be independent and not rely on my parents for money. In High School I was interested in sports, particularly volleyball, which I loved to play however I really enjoyed coaching volleyball for the grade school girls from my church.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2112 N. Clybourn
Chicago, IL 60614 - Website: www.formallymodern.com
- Phone: 773-975-7700
- Email: corp@formallymodern.com
- Instagram: formallymodern_chicago
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/formallymodern
- Twitter: Formally Modern Tux@formallymodern
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
