A half-million-dollar lesson convinces this business owner to buy her own space

Some mathematical additions have prompted Alicia Ybarra of Vanya Designs Bridal Couture to do some literal additions to her wedding business.

First, Ybarra added up how much she’s been spending on rent in the almost nine years she’s been located on South Commerce Street.

The number came to about half a million dollars.

That convinced her it was time to buy.

A second addition proved she made the right call when purchasing a building at 2017 E. Central last year.

Since then, Ybarra said her revenue has doubled. She said she needs more space, and the new building is giving it to her with 3,000 square feet over two floors plus basement storage.

The extra space means Ybarra can add a showroom, which she said will face the street. The upstairs floor will be a larger production area that will allow more sewing machines and new designers.

Ybarra has three designers in addition to herself. She’s looking to add a couple of part-time customer-service positions, and her husband, Ty, now works full time for the business as director of operations.

Alicia Ybarra said it’s simultaneously incredible that the business has grown to a point where it can sustain their family but also “a little scary.”

Also scary was the new space when Ybarra first purchased it.

She said ReeceNichols broker Nela Bayouth helped her find her new space.

“It’s been sitting empty I think for 16 years at least,” Ybarra said.

There was standing water, busted windows and no utilities.

Ybarra said Bayouth cautioned her, “Come take a look with an open mind.”

Ybarra said that’s what it took to imagine the building’s future, but something helped her out after she toured the property.

“Well, that night, I had a dream, and in the dream this building . . . was just this bright beacon of sparkling light and love.”

After much work, Ybarra said, “It looks now exactly like it did in my dream.”

Vanya Designs opens in its new space on Tuesday.