Business vs Personal

I'm sure most of you have seen The Godfather...and if not that then you've definitely seen You've Got Mail, and heard the characters refer to business as not being "personal." In The Godfather Michael Corleone says, "It's not personal...it's strictly business." And in You've Got Mail Tom Hanks' character quotes it: The Godfather is the I Ching. The Godfather is the sum of all wisdom. The Godfather is the answer to any question. What should I pack for my summer vacation? 'Leave the gun, take the cannoli.' What day of the week is it? 'Maunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday.' And the answer to your question is 'Go to the mattresses.' You're at war. 'It's not personal, it's business. It's not personal it's business.' 

But it is personal. It's personal to me. This is my business and these are my clients. It's Your Time Events is based on me, the owner, and the way I feel and live life and work with others. I've had vendors tell me to learn to focus more on the business, to separate my personal from my business, but I don't know how and I honestly don't know if I want to. 

I never wanted my clients to ever be just a number. I wanted relationships. I wanted to be there for my clients every step of the way. I want to get to know them and their families and those most important to them so the wedding day I can do my job! How am I going to do my job successfully if I don't form that relationship with my clients?  

I recently spent some time doing a lot of introspective analysis. Creme Brands was helping me to get to know myself and my clients better. Who am I and who is my business? Who is my ideal client and how do we work together? Where do I see myself and my business in several years. What do I want? What sets me apart from others in this very populated New Orleans wedding industry? I think I was pretty clear and it only confirmed what I already knew about myself and my business, it is personal. 

And when I try to act like it's not as personal, I may fool those who do not know me or my clients, but I am definitely not fooling myself or my client. We recently coordinated two weddings for one day. It was not originally planned that way, but it happened. And I have to say it was definitely a confirmation of who we are not. We are not a wedding planning company that just wants clients. We are not a company that just sees the numbers. We are not a two and three weddings in one day wedding planning company. We are not big and we are fancy, but we are personal and we are real and we do feel. This blog is a huge apology to some very special clients....you deserved more. 

I didn't get to see you walk down the aisle. I didn't get to see you get dressed or even help you get dressed. I didn't get to help bustle you. I didn't get to know your families and friends. And I don't know if you wanted that type of relationship, but it's what I want and it's what my business is based on and I was very disappointed with how I felt after executing both weddings on the same day.  

To the outside, and to many of the vendors, things looked great...I know, because I've gotten many compliments. But on the inside....to me, I know they weren't perfect on your day. I know, I did my "job" and it wasn't like things went horribly wrong or things weren't planned out completely or I didn't technically give you the hours you paid for. And I know both venues had absolutely wonderful venue coordinators to help and that Brandi and Rebecca did their jobs and made sure you were taken care of, but it wasn't me. What you didn't get was my undivided attention on your day. What you didn't get was that person you had in your corner every second of the day. What  you didn't get is what I absolutely love about my job, being there for you ever step of the way. 

To all of my clients, and especially to those who feel they didn't get the coordinator they signed up for, I am so incredibly sorry and I hope your days were and are all that you wanted them to be! I hope that whatever hiccups there may have been are dim in comparison to the brightness of the rest of the day. You are truly beautiful people and couples and I love working with each of you! 

I absolutely cannot wait to see what your photographers captured that I may have missed! I cannot wait to see the entire day unfold through those captured memories! Hugs to both of you ladies and to your husbands!

And to Creme Brands, thank you for helping us put into words, what we are truly all about!!

New Orleans Business Owner: Lessons I've learned as an Entrepreneur

Several months ago my brother moved home (he's lived in Florida for a LONG time). He went to school out there and worked out there and had a life out there, but I'm guessing he thought it was finally time to come home. 

Once he did, he also decided he was going to start his own business. Now, New Orleans has been praised as a great place for entrepreneurs and young people, so this is a great place for him to start. But like so many other people looking to start their own business, he wasn't sure how to get moving or even where to start. So we sat down and made lists and worked on things together.

It's scary starting a new business. It's your own. You're constantly wondering if it will be a success and if the next client will come. You're investing time and money into this huge venture and there are absolutely no guarantees, but you do it anyway.

As entrepreneurs we’re often going after our dreams alone and it’s hard. There are so many ups and downs and it’s so easy to take a look at what other people are doing and wonder...“What is wrong with me? Why is it taking me soooo long? Will I ever be able to get to where I want to be?”

Being a business owner and someone that loves to see people happy and successful, I felt compelled to share some tough lessons because the more honest and open we all are about the reality and truth of entrepreneurship, the more we will empower each other to succeed. 

1. IT WILL TAKE TIME - This was a big lesson I learned (and am still learning). I remember when I was starting It's Your Time Events, someone said it could take a long time...sometimes it's the 3rd year, and other times it's longer for a business to be successful. That definitely didn't help my fears, but I kept going anyway.
   
   It's been 3 years and there are still many times when I am not sure if I'm spinning my wheels in place or if I'll ever have another client or if I'm doing the right things. We live in a world where we want to achieve everything now…We want 10,000 subscribers now, 100,000 website visitors now, lots of sales now. And so often we get caught up looking at what other people are doing and then think, “why is it taking me sooooo long???????” But as the quote goes, “Rome wasn't built in a day.”  It takes time (and LOTS of patience, faith and hope!).
   
   Once I started to be okay with this, it was like a weight had lifted. I stopped beating myself up about how long it was all taking and began to enjoy the journey more, because that’s what it’s all about anyway.  So, if you ever think to yourself, “why is it taking me so long?” just remember that it does take time, stick with it and be okay with it, because it’ll help you to enjoy your life right now more.
   
   I started It's Your Time Events because it made me happy. For every wedding and couple I worked with, I saw a future....I saw the hope that it represented. I started my business because I wanted to be a part of that and contribute to someone else's day. I started it because my daytime jobs did not meet my social or creative needs. That’s why I started It's Your Time Events. To be a part of helping others' special moments....to ensure they are able to enjoy those moments.
2. YOU NEED TO BE MENTALLY TOUGH - This follows on nicely from the first lesson I learned because entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint and in order to keep on going, you have to have mental strength – that’s what will get you to the finishing line (not that there’s really a finishing line in business, the line is always moving!).
   
   This is by far one of the toughest lessons to learn....and toughest hurdles to get over. Success begins with YOU. It’s an inside job and it’s something that you have to do on purpose, day in, day out. Heck yes it's scary! You're trying to achieve something you've never done before and you're doing it primarily on your own.  I know all of the excuses because I've said them to myself... “I don’t have the time, the money, the knowledge, I’m not ready yet etc.”
   
   I literally had to tell myself that I can do this. I will make it happen. I am going to start my own business. I had to condition myself, and you will have to do the same, to overcome the fear, to tell the excuses to go away and allow myself to step up and be the person I need to be in order to make it happen.
   
   When the challenges arise, when things go wrong, when everything feels like it’s taking foreverrrr, you have to have the right mindset to be able to deal with it and keep moving FORWARD.  This will be your BIGGEST asset in life, because the right attitude will help you to start manifesting a life and business you love.
3. IT TAKES MONEY TO MAKE MONEY - This is a lesson I learned early on - to make money, you've got to spend money. Because of my background in communications and marketing, I knew where I wanted to be to reach my audience. However, I also knew it is best to talk to those already in the industry for suggestions. So I figured it all out and with a credit card and a small spending limit a day, I was able to get my business and my offering in front of my audience from day one.
   
   I think so often we build a website, create a product or service and think that somehow people will discover us, that somehow miraculously we’ll be able to build a big list and make lots of sales. The truth us that if you want to want to grow faster (get more traffic, more subscribers, more sales) you have to pay. And I’m not talking about spending thousands… you can start off with an advertising budget of a couple of dollars a day.
4. YOU ARE NOT ALONE - Make friends with like-minded people, who get you and want to help you along your journey. This is one of the most valuable things I've ever done, not just in terms of my business, but in terms of my sanity!
   
   Knowing that I have people I can turn to to talk about my experiences and challenges and get perspective and advice, and people who are there to celebrate with me when I have a win, makes such a huge difference. I would go insane without my business friends, who are actually scattered all over the world.
   
   Being an entrepreneur can be so lonely, if you let it be… so don’t. Start getting better connected by reaching out to people who you resonate with, send an email, join Facebook groups, go to networking events, attend conferences – hang out where other like-minded people hang out and start building friendships.
5. BE CONSISTENT & FOCUSED - I actually learned this lesson when I was training for marathons and half marathons and a half ironman in DC. It takes a commitment and it take focus to make it happen.
   
   If you want to be great at something you have to practice being great at it consistently and you have to stay focused on it. I would have never thought I would be able to run a mile let alone do a half ironman! At one time in my life I would have thought that was impossible. But all that training and commitment and focus, showed me that I am capable of doing things I never thought were possible. Those races showed me what it takes to make big things happen.  
   
   It’s exactly the same in business, if you want to be great you have to practice being great every day… even when you haven't gotten a client in a month or more, even when you feel like you keep doing things wrong, even when you have hardly any followers/fans/subscribers.
   
   I get it. It's tough and scary and disheartening and so you want to try every different angle to improve, to make it happen. It’s sooo easy to feel the need to hop around from one idea/strategy, to the next, but this often leads to inconsistency. You start doing one thing and before long, you've moved on to something else… never allowing yourself the chance to become really great at it.
   
   So instead of doing a million things, just focus on being consistent at one thing (or a few), and then once you’re great, keep up the practice and, if you want, move on to something else too.
6. KEEP IT SIMPLE - You're starting a business. You have family and friends. You probably have a daytime job which pays the bills. There is a LOT going on in your life. Starting and maintaining a business can quickly become overwhelming and chaotic because there are a million and one things we need to be doing. It’s exhausting. It will be okay though. You can do this!!
   
   I've found keeping things simple is best. I literally have to list my priorities and focus on one thing at a time and make life easy by planning out the what and the when. I review my priorities and goals and needs and wants and if something doesn't fit within those goals or needs, then it's not on the list. It'll just have to get addressed later. When you know what you need to do and when you need to do it, it makes life so much easier!
   
   For me, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't carry my Emily Ley Simplified Planner. I literally schedule EVERYTHING: daytime work, It's Your Time Events work, family time, and I try for social and me time, but that doesn't always work out.  I know myself. If I don't keep track of my time and my priorities and what I'm doing or not doing, I will feel overwhelmed...I go insane. I get emotional and stressed and frantic and unable to focus on anything.   When you are intentional about your day and keep things simple and plan things out, I promise, you’ll feel so much happier and make lots more progress.  

Not entirely sure of what your priorities are or what your ultimate goal is? Here's a worksheet to get you rolling. Or we can set up a session to talk. I love coaching others and seeing their dreams come true! 

It's Your Time Events owner, Erin St Pierre England, is now offering Coaching sessions on starting and managing your business. If you have any questions or would like to discuss where you are in your process, we'd love to help! Contact us at Erin@Itsyourtimeevents.com

Life's a journey, you have to keep moving forward

At 18 or 19 years old, I thought I knew what I wanted to do in life. I came out of high school thinking I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I was going to head off to Baton Rouge and attend LSU for undergrad and then head to LSU Law, so I could work in a position where I would be able to help other people. 

To help other people....to help people....

But I didn't get into law school. In fact I was rejected from every single school I applied to. I even took an LSAT class where people didn't understand why I was there...I got all the homework right all.....the.....TIME! How could I not pass that test!? It's a test....not a guy holding a gun to your head! 

Talk about a blow to your confidence and drive in life.

It's called choking. Yup....that's about what I did. Each time I walked into the test setting, I told myself "this is the test that determines the rest of your life." Ouch...looking back, that seems like a lot of pressure on a 20something year-old. 

So, I sulked for a bit and then took the GRE and headed to grad school...at LSU of course :) 

I started in Political Science with the idea of staying on track to go back to the law school thing, but eventually a good friend helped me realize I don't need a law degree to help people. I began working with student athletes while at the same time working in government. I was a part of two very different programs but they both allowed me to feel like I was helping people....I was making a difference! 

Turns out my friend was right. I don't need a law degree to help people and make a difference in small and big ways. I pursued a Master of Liberal Arts with concentrations in Political Science, Counseling, and Higher Education (talk about a well rounded education!). I loved every second of it!

After an absolutely awesome SEVEN years at LSU, I finally stopped (because I couldn't afford being a professional student) and in the Spring of 2005 I accepted an internship with a smaller Texas school working in their athletic department. At that time, I was making....wait for it....$1,000 a month! (Yes, we all start at the bottom people. We all have to learn certain skills and knowledge that we are not taught in school.) I left home for the first time and had my own apartment and took advantage of activities on campus and saw a bright future. 

But then August of 2005 rolls around and everything in my world shifted a bit. Yes, Katrina happened and for many people from New Orleans Katrina became a milestone in our lives. Things happened pre-Katrina or post-Katrina (this thinking may be shifting a bit as we get older, but it's still there).  

August 28th...do you know where you were? I know exactly where I was at that time. I was helping move my mom from the West Bank to the Northshore. We were packing and not even paying attention until it was quite clear that Katrina was indeed coming. At that point what were we going to do? Leave her new house and all her belongings sitting....waiting for a huge storm to wage war? We stayed. We stayed and we were okay. I still hear the random voices of people calling in to WWL and telling Garland Robinette where they were and that the water was rising. I can still see the images toys and clothes left on the high-rise by the Dome. I remember the destruction I saw all along the entire gulf coast as I drove from my mom's house in Covington to my apartment in Texas and then to my sister in Pensacola. And every time I go to the Convention Center my heart still hurts. Yeah, Katrina was a doozy and did a number on all of us. 

I moved home immediately (Rita just happened to follow my mom and I to Texas so we kind of had to return to south Louisiana) and took a job working as an executive assistant. I floated between jobs for a bit until I got an offer from an old friend for a great opportunity in DC. 

DC was supposed to be a three year plan to gain experience and knowledge. I was moving to DC! How cool is that? I planned to bring all that knowledge and experience home to New Orleans and make a difference here. But it turns out leaving home for a place so far away from my family was truly one of the hardest things I've ever done in life and I hit bottom for a bit in DC. Talk about depression! AND in DC they don't give hugs and it's cold so there was no combatting it....

Eventually I got back up on my feet and learned to LOVE our Nation's capital. Working for the DoD I did some pretty neat things and learned so much about myself! I lived right up the street from the Capital and Supreme Court...who is not going to love that! But I still wanted to go home eventually and turns out getting a job at home wasn't so easy. DC turned into 6 years and a husband. 

At that point I took what I could get and hated it! I was working on contracts and budgets...that was it....no interaction with the outside world at all. I took a long, hard look at myself, and thought about all of my previous positions and what I liked or did not like about each them. 

• I'm a people person;
• I love helping other people; 
• I love making things happen;
• I love happy people and good times; 
• I like communications;
• I like being creative;
• I like managing and executing projects;
• I like planning....

I finally began to see a light....

I brainstormed and dreamed and asked myself "what would I do if I could not fail?" I slowly whittled my thoughts down from communications and public relations to project management and then finally to wedding planning and coordination. And I thought about how important a person's wedding day truly is and how much money we spend on it....and It's Your Time Events was born. 

It's definitely not easy being a business owner and trying to make a living. In fact, it's hard as heck! When I first opened the biz, I had a full-time job then at one point I was able to do the business full-time, and then eventually went back to a full-time job with benefits and that could pay ALL of the bills (not just some of them). Talk about trying times! Am I a failure because my business hasn't been steady? Heck no! I'll get there eventually! 

Life's a journey people. We're all going to do some form of falling down or choking on tests and getting depressed, but what is important is getting back up! We all have to make that decision for ourselves. Without going into details, I've been through some pretty tough situations and experiences. Things nobody thinks they will ever experience. And then you do experience them and you wonder if you'll make it back up...if you'll ever see hope again. I had to actively make that decision of whether to get up or stay down. I chose to get up. I might not be "30 flirty and thriving" (in fact I struggle quite a bit), but I am happy and I did choose hope over all the things that hadn't gone quite right in life. It's up to you to make your choice. What will you do? 

30something....things I'd tell my teenage self...

If you're 30 something (like me) you're not quite Generation X and you're definitely not a millennial or a boomer....so what are you? Who knows? And that's just about how it feels at 30 something sometimes. Who are we and what the heck are we doing? 

Nobody says or tells you to live at home if you can during college so you can save money and pay for school. I went to LSU. It was the only school I even considered going to...I didn't even apply anywhere else. I wanted to be there and do everything I possibly could. So I did. Coming out of college I had $60,000 in student loan debt. Yup....I said SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS (and that's with me working part time jobs throughout all 7 years). I've been paying on it for about 10 years....and hadn't made a dent on it until I moved in with my mom (yes, at 30something, I'm living with my mom). Regarding student loans, nobody says take out as little as possible so you're not strapped with huge amounts of debt when you get out. They just don't say it....or maybe they did and we didn't listen or maybe they didn't then but they are now. Who knows....just listen when you can. 

When we're in school nobody says, you really should prepare for your future (and I am talking LONG term here), but looking back, I'm thinking they should have told us about that. Think about how that student loan debt is going to affect you once you get out (it's basically a mortgage payment for YEARS)....think about what kind of jobs you can get with that Master of Liberal Arts degree.... or General Studies bachelors. No, I'm pretty sure they didn't say those things when I was in school....they said enjoy it! Go out! Have fun! Take advantage of everything they have to offer! College only happens once (but they didn't tell you that you'd be paying for it for a long time to come and your choices then can very much affect you throughout the rest of your life). Nobody says those things...or maybe they did...and we didn't listen. It's been so long I honestly don't remember.  

Nobody really says "it's okay to NOT know what you are going to do with the rest of your life." They don't really say take it slow and get some experience in different areas so you have an idea of what you actually could see yourself doing for the REST OF YOUR LIFE. Nobody tells you (or maybe they did and we didn't listen), it might be better to start at a Community College instead of the four year college costing you tons of money and time only to not have any idea of what you're going to major in (because who really knows what they want to do FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE at the age of 18 or 23?). We may think we know, but we don't. It's taken me years to even come close to figuring out the jobs I can tolerate and those I can't and those I love. Nobody really tells you those things....or maybe they did and we didn't listen. 

Then we get out of school and we think we'll get our dream job because we were raised to think "having a degree means I can get a good job." But that's not exactly how it works. Nobody really prepares you for how HARD it will be to get a job and in the field you want. Instead most of the time, there is this HUGE stop sign with the question: DO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE? And on top of experience, employers want specific skills and knowledge that aren't necessarily taught in college (yes, they are paying attention to your personality and Googling you). Where do we learn how to have customer service or be organized in an office setting? Maybe LSU offered "Office Etiquette 101", but I'm thinking it wasn't a priority because nobody said THIS IS IMPORTANT). They don't teach those things in school....that kind of knowledge comes through experience and jobs. Nobody says while you're actually in school you should be doing this or that so you can at least try to learn those desired skills, or maybe they did and we didn't listen. I came out of grad school making $1,000 a month...you think that's going to pay off a $60,000 student loan debt? 

Now you have a job and you're buying a home and getting married. Married? Really? That is definitely one subject they don't give you the details on....it's HARD. You love this person and yet at times you may actually want to punch the living crap out of them. What happens to them, happens to you....is that fair? Not sure, but it happens. You feel their pain and vice verse. Sometimes it just plain stinks. You're buying a house and cars and setting up family and building more debt (you know, on top of your student loans because those aren't paid off yet). Student loans, house mortgages, car loans, business loans, they all add up. We weren't even married 2 years and we were in debt up to our eyeballs. But it's marriage and you have your best friend and you're going through it together. Nobody tells you the other side of their marriage...and there is another side to it :) It's just not something everyone talks about....

It's amazing how fast that time goes by....and how much we change and learn and grow throughout all of it. Growing up is hard and if we're not careful we can make it harder than it has to be.We did....and now we're working our way to a better day.

Lessons I learned along the way that I will definitely share with my hypothetical children and PRAY they will listen better than I did: 

1. Listen. Don't listen to respond but really listen...and if after hearing what the other person has to say you still feel the same way, by all means proceed with your plans :) 
2. You know those pesky things your parents used to bug you about (responsibility, jobs, saving, etc.)? Yeah, they may actually know something so take the time to listen occasionally. 
3. Slow down. You will never have another moment like the one you are living at this very moment. 
4. Get a job even if it's part time. It teaches time management and so many other non-teachable skills that are necessary in the business world today (like customer service and a work ethic).
5. Pay for as much of college as you can and take out as little as you can. It's okay if you don't go to that private school your parents went to. It's okay to start at a CC and see what subjects you actually like before spending the big money on a four year degree you hate. 
6. SAVE! Always think about your future. Even if it's $50 a month until you can afford more, SAVE!! Paying with cash is so much better than living in debt all the time.
7. (AGAIN) SLOW DOWN. You do not have to get married, buy a house, buy cars, and have kids all at the same time. Plan a little bit....it helps significantly!
8. Marry your best friend. Yes, the college quarterback or cheerleader is hot and fun and stuff, but is he/she your best friend? Can you tell him/her anything? Are they going to be there for you no matter what....are they going to see past your defects and love you anyway? If you have any doubt to any of these questions....SLOW DOWN and figure it out. 
9. Don't be afraid to take chances. Life is short and if you don't like something, you should definitely do something about it. 

What are some life lessons you would tell your younger self? 

I can & I will. Watch me make it happen

So many people ask me how I can always be so positive and why I started my business and how I got here and where do I see it going. It's ongoing. And I love it! I love sharing my adventures with people who want to know. So I figured why not do it officially....

This blog is not just about weddings and planning, it's also a part of me and who I am and what I do. So I'm starting to document my adventures as an individual and as an entrepreneur....self-employed....and all the nuts and bolts and feelings and craziness that can go along with it.

We're going to talk about staying positive and things I do to stay on my own path (others can use it as an example, but ultimately we each create our own path). We will cover starting a business in Louisiana (whether it is in the wedding industry or not, we all pretty much start in the same place). And we'll talk about business plans and setting goals and being focused and moving forward. We'll research and review how to go about doing business in New Orleans, and get specific with wedding items like Second Line permits and escorts. With each lesson I learn, I'm going to post the story on here (both for myself and for anyone who needs it).

If you have a particular topic you'd like to hear about, let me know! I'm an open book!

~erin

So incredibly blessed, in so many ways....Happy birthday to me!

It's my birthday! I can't help but smile. I can't help but feel all warm inside. Yes, I know I'm another year older, but also another year wiser and another year of my life was filled with so many new and wonderful memories with new and old friends.

Several years ago I wasn't quite thinking like this....I was having what you might call the quarter life crisis. I was living in DC (hello! wonderful place to have a quarter life crisis!). I was playing kickball on the mall. I was making new friends. I was running (slowly but a lot more than I am now). I was doing a lot, but I couldn't see it. I was single. I was not exactly where I wanted to be professionally. I wasn't home. I didn't have kiddos. Oh woe is me, right? 

 

Why was I looking at what I didn't have and NOT at what I did and do have? I traveled the WORLD planning and executing countless meetings and training seminars for military and overseas citizens. I am a nanny to now FOUR awesome kiddos from my sister and her husband. I am a wife, a daughter and a sister. I was playing kickball on the National Mall!! I was making new friends. I did TWO marathons, countless halves, a sprint tri, a full tri and a HALF IRONMAN. I planned countless events and raised over $10,000 to help fight cancer  with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I was learning so much about communications, dedication, commitment, and professionalism. I was learning and growing and preparing myself for this part of my life. I was preparing myself for starting my business. 

Looking back (and I knew it back then too), I loved DC, but I wanted to come home more than anything. I am a New Orleans, South Louisiana girl at heart and I missed hugs and my family. So I left DC. I moved home and started on my new path (bringing a husband with me). 

Starting a business is not easy and it's not cheap but I've been incredibly blessed to have some great clients and very supportive wedding industry mentors, husband, family, and daytime job. I am truly blessed. 

I am blessed because I get to work in an industry that is so incredibly supportive and fun and happy. I am blessed because I get to see so much of NOLA that  I've never seen before and learn so much about it that I didn't know. I am blessed because I get to meet so many wonderful people and work with some amazing clients. 

 

   

I am blessed to be another year older and to have met all of these people and because I have a great day time job and I can still work my dream job of being the event coordinator. Is it a lot of work with long hours (hello! 2 JOBS I LOVE!) and little vacation? You bet! But I wouldn't have it any other way! So happy birthday to me! 

Expectations and standards - personal growth

I recently came across an email and LOVED what it had to say. I've gotten busy and bent some of my own standards or rules of professionalism. This was a good reminder of how to work professionally during events. From time to time, I need some reminding so if you see or hear me doing any of these things, go ahead and smack me on the back of the head (GK this means you!). 

1. Smoke, drink, or eat. If I want to continue booking events with a professional reputation intact, I always consider when I drink alcohol near clients (I don't smoke but I'm pretty sure I'd be the same way). I'm not an attendee, so partying with my clients is most of the time a no go. And while the host may offer me a meal, eating on the job almost always winds up looking messy and unprofessional (especially because we're usually scarfing it quickly so we can get back to work). My recommendation to myself (and what I've seen many reputable vendors do) get a bite and bring it to a hidden corner or back room during a slow moment in the event. 

2. Talking or texting on my phone. It shows that I'm not truly present and that I lack professionalism. Even if it’s just a quick glance or a post to Facebook or Instagram, if the client thinks they aren't my number one focus, then I risk setting myself up for a poor review after the fact. I have gotten a bit caught up in this one....posting as it's happening, but really what is the rush? Focus on the here and now and our client and we can't go wrong. 

3. Talking smack about competition. No matter how much I may dislike competition, I should never belittle anyone in front of a client. In dissing them, I'm only doing myself a disservice by coming across as petty and impolite. We're all small businesses and we're in this together. I need to remember there is always another side to a story. I need to talk to other vendors more as opposed to about them later after the event. I'm all about learning and constructive critiques. 

4. Siting down. Events can span multiple hours at a time, and in those cases it’s certainly acceptable to take brief breaks (but I'm never going to leave the premises during one!). However, letting clients catch me lounging around or gathered in a vendor pack before or during an event is a big no-no. I always feel guilty after being caught in such a state. I need to remember my focus is on my client, not my friends (other vendors). 

Defining my stakeholders: Clients, guests, and vendors

When I started thinking about becoming a planner, I did a lot of research and a business plan. It included everything from how I got to this point and where I want It's Your Time Events to go in the future. One of the sections I knew I had to address was stakeholders. Stakeholders include anyone that may be affected by your business and actions. Therefore, I defined my stakeholders as the following: clients, their guests, and vendors.

If you decide to hire an event coordinator, you should expect to be a high priority. It's an event coordinator's job to make the planning process easy. You should expect responses on your emails and calls. And if the coordinator isn't responding, it's time to look for someone else. You should expect someone who listens to what you want and then works with you and your ideas to achieve that as best as possible.

As a service provider my clients are my first priority. I work to get the job done to their satisfaction. Hopefully our planning pays off and all goes smoothly for my clients' events. However, if our plans don't go as smoothly as we would like and my clients don't know about it and didn't miss it, then I feel like I've been successful. If things don't go as planned and we all notice it, I will address it, fix it or move to plan B or even another plan. I then take that and learn from it. I'm not going to tell my clients I'm perfect, because rarely is anyone perfect, but I will tell them that perfection is my goal and it is what I strive for in planning and executing their events.

Most clients ultimately want their guests to have a good time, learn from, network at, and/or remember the event. Therefore, while my client is my number one stakeholder, another stakeholder is the guest of the event. I know that if their guests aren't happy or didn't learn from the event, then my client most likely isn't happy. My job is to take the unhappy guests, find out why and work to fix the issue, so my client doesn't have to worry about it. My job is to address it, so the client and guest both are happy (or to a certain extent, because from all my experience, I've learned we can't make everyone happy all the time).

Finally my third major stakeholder, but certainly not least, are the vendors I work with during an event. As service industry professionals, vendors and I are working to the same goal: clients' happiness. However, as I pointed out before, vendors are one of MY stakeholders and therefore I am also working to make my vendors' jobs easier. My job is to help make sure photographers, videographers, florists and others know all the behing the scenes details (like how long it will take to get from the church to the reception or when certain photos are being taken so flowers arrive by a certain time or when the bouquet is being tossed so the moment is captured). By keeping this goal in mind, I know my clients' events will go much smoother.

I've often mentioned that communication is key. And I believe it is. If my clients, the vendors and I aren't talking, something may get missed or things won't go as planned (and the event could be more stressful).

So far, I can honestly say, I've worked with some pretty awesome and professional vendors: Randy Diddly Studios, Catherine Guidry Photography, Kim Starr Wise, Event Rentals, Le Mariage, La Maison Creole, Sam Gregory Photography and can't wait to work with so many more!

Happy planning!
Erin

To Look or Not to Look, that is the Question: First Looks

You've heard it before, the Groom is not supposed to see the Bride before the wedding. It's bad luck. It's a tradition. You can't do it. And while there is plenty to do to keep the bride and groom in their separate corners on the morning of the wedding, many couples feel this is an outdated tradition (including me). Honestly, my husband and I not only saw each other that morning, we ate breakfast together with some of our guests and we had a few moments alone exchanging gifts and it was absolutely perfect. There was no pressure or work to keep us hidden. We did exactly what we wanted. And so should you.

The superstition/tradition originated from a time when most marriages were arranged and grooms didn't know who he was marrying (I can't imagine this). Back then, there was a possibility he might take one look at her and run...deciding not to proceed with the marriage. So the parents took charge and said the first time he should see her is at the altar, thus placing more pressure on him to marry her (isn't there already enough pressure?).

Now-a-days many people agree this is an outdated tradition. Many people participate in the "First Look" and it has become a very special moment on a very busy day - the Wedding Day. The First Look is often coordinated with the photographer to find a somewhat secluded, intimate or private space where the couple can meet and see each other before the wedding ceremony. You'll see many pictures of the groom facing one way as his bride approaches from behind to greet him. Once they meet, they can share a moment in peace that can be beautifully captured by photo and film - First Look by Studio Vieux Carre. 

As a bride, this moment provided a chance to see my groom and look him in the eyes before all the crazy started. It allowed us to relax just a bit more. As a bride, it allowed me to take a quiet moment with my soon-to-be husband and just take in the moment. There was no rush to get pictures done between the ceremony and reception. There were no people wanting hugs or wanting to talk. It was just the two of us looking into each other eyes and taking in the moment. 

As a coordinator, this eases tension because the bride and groom are dressed, ready and in the same place well before the actual wedding; therefore they're less likely to have logistical issues arriving to the ceremony on time. 

By no means am I trying to convince any couple to do something they don’t feel comfortable with. If you're a traditional couple, go for it and wait until the ceremony? As I've said it before, it is YOUR day, so remember it the way you want.

As for me, I did it my way. I didn't care about tradition. I ate breakfast with my soon-to-be husband and enjoyed a moment or two with him again before the ceremony. I loved every minute of it. 

If you choose to do the first look, it's important to coordinate this with all vendors and parties involved - coordinator, photographer, and videographer. Do you want your parents or his parents to see? Mine watched from an area which allowed us our moment but still allowed them to take part in it from a distance. 

Learning from the Best and Setting the Standard

What a leap of faith! I can't believe I actually did it but I did....I started my own business and I am the most excited I have been in a very long time. 

I started It's Your Time Events because planning and organizing and logistics and lists are things I absolutely love. Crazy huh? Yeah, my family thinks so too. BUT those crazy things, are what truly make events run smooth and allow us to enjoy them so much more. When you know something is done and you've checked off all the details, you do not have to worry about it. And that is what I want to do for others. I want to make lists and plan and execute for others so they do not have to worry about the details. So they can enjoy their time and their event. 

This is not something I did willy nilly. No, in fact, I've worked since I was 13 years old and I have had so many experiences in life. And it was all of those experiences that allowed me to make a better decision to pursue this job...this business. 

I spent the last few weeks thinking about what aspects of my previous camp counseling and resident assistant and administrative and communications jobs I really liked and which ones were okay. I found that I love working with people and communications. I love managing. I love making lists and spreading the message. I love events. So I took all of those areas and I made them my own. I started It's Your Time Events. 

My goal is to set the standard in events. I want to study others and emulate their best qualities to become better at what I do for my clients. So I will use this blog to document my studies and my goals. Here's hoping it helps me and others along the way. 

Topics I plan to cover are the following: 

• event vendors
• pricing
• standards
• styles

• budgeting for your events
• themes
• messaging
• YOUR topics! So let me know what you want to talk about!