Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Assal.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Israel in 1955, growing up on a Kibbutz. Life there taught me the value of community, hard work, and resourcefulness. My formal schooling ended with elementary school, but life itself became my education.
In 1976, I joined the Israeli army and served until 1979. Those years gave me discipline, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility. After completing my service, I moved to Kansas City in 1979, ready for a new chapter.
My father-in-law, Leo, owned Leo’s Tailor Shop on 63rd and Oak in Kansas City, Missouri. He had been running it since 1952. I began working with him, and though I had no formal training, I learned by watching his hands and studying the way he worked. I paid attention to every detail, from how he handled fabric to how he treated customers, and little by little I absorbed the craft of tailoring.
In May of 1985, I decided to take a leap of faith and open my own shop, Dan’s Tailoring, in a small store in Olathe. I only had three hundred dollars to my name on that first day. I focused on clothing alterations, but the hardest part wasn’t the work — it was getting customers. I had no money for advertising, and there were many days when I sat in the shop without a single person walking through the door.
But I never gave up. Slowly, people began to find me. One customer would tell their friends, those friends would tell more friends, and word of mouth spread. Before long, more and more people were coming in. By 1990, business had grown enough for me to move to my current location in Lenexa.
As the years passed, I began selling suits of my own, and eventually expanded into weddings. Helping people look their best on one of the most important days of their lives became one of my greatest joys. The wedding side of the business grew so much that my son Jeremy joined me to help. One day, he will take over the store, but for now we work side by side.
As for me, I have no plans to retire. I love what I do. Every day, I get the privilege of making the people of Kansas City look and feel their best — whether it’s for a wedding, a big event, or simply the confidence of wearing clothes that fit perfectly.
What began with three hundred dollars and an empty shop in Olathe has become something far greater than I could have imagined. For me, it’s never been just about suits or stitches. It’s about people, community, and the pride of building something lasting with my own two hands.
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?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was in the very beginning. When I opened my first shop in 1985, I only had three hundred dollars to my name. I had no money for advertising, no formal training, and there were many days I would sit in the store and not a single person would come in. That was discouraging, but it taught me patience and persistence.
Another challenge was building trust. Tailoring is personal — people are handing you their clothes for important events — so it took time for word of mouth to spread. I had to earn every customer one at a time by doing honest, careful work.
Later, as the business grew, the challenge shifted to keeping up with demand, especially once we moved into weddings. That’s when my son Jeremy came on board, and together we’ve been able to keep the quality and the personal touch while serving more people.
Looking back, those obstacles were really blessings in disguise. They taught me not to give up, to rely on community, and to let my work speak for itself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I own and operate Dan’s Tailoring & Clothier in Lenexa, Kansas. I started back in 1985 with just three hundred dollars and a small shop in Olathe, focusing on clothing alterations. Over the years, the business grew through word of mouth, and I eventually expanded into selling suits and specializing in weddings. Today, we carry a wide selection of suits and accessories, and we’re especially known for helping grooms and wedding parties look their absolute best.
What I’m most proud of is the reputation we’ve built. For decades, people in Kansas City have trusted us for life’s most important moments — weddings, graduations, job interviews, and celebrations. I think what sets us apart is the personal touch. I never had formal training, I learned by watching my father-in-law, Leo, and because of that I focus on precision, patience, and treating every customer like family.
Another thing that makes us unique is that this business has become a family legacy. My son Jeremy now works alongside me, and one day he will carry it forward. But for me, I still love walking into the shop every day. I have no plans to retire because tailoring isn’t just my job — it’s my passion.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
What I’d like readers to know is that this business has always been about more than just clothes. When someone walks through my door, it’s usually for a meaningful reason — a wedding, a job interview, a graduation, or simply wanting to feel confident in their own skin. I see it as my responsibility and my privilege to help them look and feel their very best.
I started with almost nothing — just three hundred dollars and a dream — and through word of mouth and the support of this community, the shop has grown into something lasting. That’s why Kansas City means so much to me. The people here gave me a chance, and in return I’ve dedicated my life to serving them with honesty, care, and craftsmanship.
And lastly, I’d say — I’m not slowing down. I love what I do, and as long as I’m able, I’ll be here every day doing the work I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dandantheweddingman.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dan_dan_the_wedding_man/
