Fontaine Concierge: The Company Transforming The Wedding Experience
Cameron Fontaine, Founder of Fontaine Concierge
“I would tell my younger self to keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles. Pursue something that keeps you passionate. There’s no wasted experience, don’t devalue your failures… they make you stronger and who you are today!”
Sorry ladies… you now have to share some of the wedding day spotlight with the groom and his groomsmen! Fontaine Concierge is a wedding service company that seeks to transform a traditionally underwhelming groom and groomsmen wedding-prep experience into one that is elevated and as accommodating as the bride’s.
Founded by Cameron Fontaine, Fontaine Concierge connects with grooms and curates the pre-wedding experience they deserve and capture the intimate bonding moments in the process. With Fontaine Concierge, grooms are encouraged to be inspired by the intentional planning, pampering, celebratory experience traditionally reserved for brides and adopt those sentiments for themselves and their groomsmen. The company’s mission is to elevate the groom’s experience by catering to his needs and reminding him that #ItsHisDayToo.
Fontaine Concierge offers groomsmen services along with premium custom suiting, shirting and accessories. The company partners with master tailors and premiere fabric mills to produce garments for their clients, while curating lifestyle experiences that complement their envisioned design. On the company’s website, there are currently 3 wedding service packages offered: Goodfellas, Rat Pack Robusto, and the Tangiers Estate.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Newark native Cameron Fontaine to discuss his wedding services company Fontaine Concierge, his journey of becoming an entrepreneur and more!
What created your passion?
Cameron: I’ve always been interested in fashion and design. In fact, I went to school for architecture. I love aesthetics, I love servicing. Venturing into business, I never wanted to be a fashion designer. I’ve always just had a yearning for creating a unique and unforgettable experience… if that comes form a custom suit of mines or the wedding services I provide.
What moment did you realize your product could become a business?
Cameron: While working as the Made-To-Measure specialist for a luxury menswear retailer clients would come in regularly to have bow-ties made within an hour of their wedding. While attending to these sometimes frantic gentlemen, I thought how the bride would never have to leave her room for anything on her wedding day… so why should the groom have to? After identifying this void in the wedding service industry, I knew I had something special and much needed.
What challenges have you come across that you didn’t expect?
Cameron: One overlying challenge is the push back I receive whenever promoting or selling my product. I always have to educate my target audience about why the prices are what they are. In the beginning of a pitch, I can see the faces of my audience as skeptical and sometimes alarmed at the prices. However, once I’m finished explaining the luxury and need for my services, my audience is usually welcoming. This also brings me to my next challenge of always updating myself on the market. If I’m always having to explain my product and the prices for my services, I have to be the one educated on what I’m marketing and selling. I also have to package my product at a price that makes sense for both me as a business owner and the customer as well.
What does your clothing have in common with Newark?
Cameron: Newark is thriving and is home to an array of people from diverse cultures, jobs and backgrounds. My custom suits fit with this idea that different and unique is great. I want to make a suit that fits you, from your budget… to your personality… to your occasion.
What do you think about the Makerhoods mission?
Cameron: Newark Makerhoods is a much needed initiative. Not only is Newark thriving but there are a lot of talented individuals with great products but for whatever reasons don’t have financial stability or the knowledge to jump into the business realm. I enjoy how you guys not only accompany makers with a work space but also with housing. Pinning entrepreneurs inside an inclusive community of other entrepreneurs, success is bound to happen. I love everything about it, from the initiative to the location.
What is your business end goal?
Cameron: The end goal for my business is to become self-sustainable. I want to introduce my concierge business to the wedding services market. There’s nothing like it today. Raising the visibility of the neglect most grooms and groomsmen receive will only increase the demand for my business.
What advice would you tell your younger self?
Cameron: I would tell my younger self to keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles. Pursue something that keeps you passionate. There’s no wasted experience, don’t devalue your failures… they make you stronger and who you are today!
Anthony Smith, Community Outreach Coordinator
After graduating college and returning back to my hometown of Newark, NJ I became a member of the Newark Makerhoods team. This transformative experience put me in touch with many local entrepreneurs who are all in different business stages, ranging from established to upstart. Newark is a thriving city for talented creators. I'm here to share their stories and launch their business to the everyday public’s eye.