What is your background and how did you get into your business/career?
I got into my career on accident. I was working in a restaurant that was located inside a hotel during my college years. A position for a Catering Sales Assistance became available and I was offered the job. Within 6 months of taking the assistants job, I became a Catering Sales Representative focusing on Corporate Training Events & Weddings. Two completely different types of events, but valuable knowledge was gained. After some time at the hotel, I moved on to do restaurant event planning, which was much more simplistic, yet less creative for me. After a year I transitioned to catering where I found my true passion and my talents & strengths were exemplified. After some time with catering, I learned how to plan and think of event from beginning to end. It was a cold February morning, 3 years ago, with a cup of coffee, and Oprah & Suzie Orman on the television, discussing controlling your destiny, when I took my first step to crafting Liven It Up Events. It has been a difficult and triumphant 3 years, but Liven It up Events now plans over 50 events a year and is booking into 2010 and 2011.
What is your business and how is it unique?
Liven It Up Events is a boutique Wedding & Event Planning company that specializes in planning events in raw spaces.
Who are some of your clients; what do you especially appreciate about them and how have they reacted to your service or product?
The majority of my clients are couples who are engaged, planning their wedding day. Most of them are working professionals, where they are paying for their big day themselves, so they appreciate everything that I am able to do for them. My clients do enjoy working with me, but where I see the greatest reaction is the day of their wedding or event day. When they see the vision come to life for them to enjoy with their family and friends.
What do you like best about what you do?
I love the creative side of what I do. Working with lighting and floral designers, my creative team at the furniture & rental houses, and take my clients vision and create anything. It's truly the best part of what I do.
What role does passion have in your work?
Passion is what drives me. I am not sure if I was not passionate about my work if I would be able to do what I do. There is so much pressure on putting on any event, you only get one chance to do it right. If I did not love doing it, I would not do it!
When you first started were you able to visualize your expected final outcome?
I knew when I began in the industry that I would have my own planning company, but I did not know that it would be like this.
Can you tell us about that final outcome – what will your business look like then?
This is still to be determined, but what I see is an office, with multiple planners working on triple the events that we are working on today.
What were you top three obstacles/challenges?
Learning how to get business, branding a company, not me, and accepting that I am only one person and cannot be in two places at once.
How do you deal with doubt, fear, and self recrimination?
This is one of my challenges but I am working on it. I have found that when I plan an event outside of my comfort level, I doubt myself, even though my clients and other colleagues believe in me. After the event is complete and the rave reviews are in, my doubt and fear subside. Each time this happens, I become more confident in my ability.
If you had the opportunity to get the best advice from a business guru, and could ask only question, what would your question be?
I would ask the guru to look at my business model and ask how can I improve what I am doing to better the clients' experiences.
As you look back, what is the one thing you wish you knew when you started?
The importance and necessity of networking.
Any regrets?
None. Anything that was a "bad" working experience, I found the lesson in my mistake and learned from it to not make that mistake again.
Do you believe luck has something to do with you getting to where you are now?
Luck had nothing to do with it. My success is due to a couple of things. Changing the way I thought about business. I had to get out of the mind frame of collecting a paycheck every two weeks. And my drive and thirst for learning how other people became successful. Trust me, I did not reinvent the wheel! I just followed the advice and tips from other successful business owners.
What is the best piece of advice you have for other women on their way to their Optimal Level?
When you feel like giving up, that is when you are going to find your greatest success.
