Right out of high school I began working at a non-profit organization that did humanitarian aid. The "non-profit" part was no joke - my department had a tiny budget and as a result I did everything: planned events, wrote training curriculum for (and trained) the overseas volunteers, handled all the finances and accounting, worked as a liaison with foreign embassies, etc. On top of that, my boss quit unexpectedly and since there was no time and no money to hire someone new, I was promoted and found myself holding an executive position in an international NGO. I was 19.
Needless to say, I burned out, which is why I am such an advocate of setting limits and boundaries now. Burn out is a slippery slope, and is something you think will happen to other people, but never to you. Well, it can happen to you and it sucks. Big time. Do everything you possibly can to avoid it. How I survived that period of my life I will never know. I chalk it up to copious amounts of coffee and grace, with an emphasis on the latter.
I continued on to plan events in the corporate world and in the private sector. During this time I did weddings for friends; they knew I could do events, and I was happy to use my talents to help them.
I decided that getting paid for my ideas and hard work on weddings might be a good idea, so I looked into starting my own company. I did an exhaustive search online and turned up basically nada. I could find literally nothing that could point me in the right direction on starting a business in the field, so I decided to shelve the idea and continued working in the corporate world.
A few years later I was working as a temp and had dinner with my mom at Olive Garden (I remember I ordered soup because I had my wisdom teeth out earlier that week and it was the first "real" meal I could eat) when she mentioned that I should revisit the idea of owning my own company. That night I went online to the IRS website and registered my EIN. I never went back to the temp job.
So here's what I had when I started: lots of event management experience, a little bit of money in savings, no business plan, no wisdom teeth. Is this the way I would recommend others start? Not exactly, but it is the way it happened for me.
Here's another thing I had: a hatred of cubicles. When I worked in the corporate world, it was for a large company that personified everything in Office Space and The Office, minus the hotness that is John Krasinski. During one of the quarterly meetings, which consisted of everyone gathering like cattle in the cubicle hallways, someone in my department received an award for working there for 25 years. I became immediately depressed and remember thinking "you've come here five, sometimes six, days a week for 25 years? That's your life? No, thank you".
In addition to the hatred of cubicles, I had one of those life-altering experiences that changes your perspective on everything. In my early twenties I dealt with literal paralysis for about two and half years, and most days would wake up and not be able to walk or move my legs at all. Name a medical scan; I've probably had it. This little number had a domino effect on other parts of my life, resulting in losing almost all independence (which for a stubborn, strong-willed Scorpio is the touch of death) and is easily the lowest point of my life to date.
Like I said, that experience greatly shaped my perspective on life and whenever I get scared as an entrepreneur (which is all the time, since we're being real here), I can honestly say "it could be a lot worse". Also, if making a go of this being-my-own-boss-thing doesn't work out, then I'm back to the cubicle and I'm NOT about to let that happen.
So my advice for anyone who wants to start in the wedding industry is this:
- Put your fears in perspective. If you try and fail, is it really the worst thing that could happen to you? Probably not. Your ego might be bruised, but hey, you can still walk.
- Treat your company as a business, not as a job and definitely not as a hobby.
- Build margin right from the start. You should love your work; you should also love yourself enough to know that anything that ends in "-oholic" is not healthy. Plus, having margin means having room for doors to open and the time available to take on unexpected opportunities. And the best opportunities often don't wait for your schedule to clear up.
- Think and dream big. Then dream bigger. If you can accomplish your dreams on your own, you are not dreaming big enough.
- You can (and should) learn from anybody and any thing, but spend your money and your time learning from the real experts - people who have accomplished huge things in business and who have a perspective that will help you grow (this doesn't necessarily mean they've been in business longer than you have).
- At some point you will have to take the leap and go out full time. It's called a leap of faith, not a leap of certainty, for a reason and these leaps are rarely, if ever, comfortable. I do not necessarily recommend quitting your steady income, but if you wait for the time to be perfect, then you run the risk of winning a cheap gold-colored pin for 25 years of cubicle service. Perfect does not exist.
Welcome to 
22 comments:
Check your ego when you network. I am a late bloomer, so I worked in the event planning industry for more than 15 years before I created my company. I thought I knew more than most, but I didn't know squat about successfully running my own business. I have found that my best business advice has come from industry colleagues that are almost 13 years younger than me and I am grateful to them for their generosity.
Love & Soul Always, Kay
I am currently in the process of starting my own company and would just like to express my gratitude for providing all of the wonderful insight.
Smiling at your statement "it could be a lot worse". It helps to keep it all in perspective, thank Liene.
And an amen to Kay's comment above, I learn every day from others in the industry who were still in Jr High when I started my business.
Take advantage of every networking opportunity possible and be open to collaboration with other creative professionals.
Perfect advice.
Networking and building relationships with vendors is key. People do business with people they know.
Thanks, Liene!!
Look for inspiration and experiences in unexpected places.
Learn whatever you can from wherever you are working right now as you will use all knowledge garnered in your journey as an business owner.
Running your own business is not at all what you imagine it to be. Be logical and realistic and know when to ask for help.
Be flexible: life is organic and we all have to adapt and overcome when necessary.
This is definitely one of my favorite posts I've ever read. I love the smell of inspiration in the morning!
A few things that echo in my head when I am asked for advice from others getting started in the industry are:
1. Treat your business like a business. (worth repeating from what Liene outlined above) If you treat it like a "hobby" or "something you do on the side" others will see it as such. From your voicemail, to your introductions via email and or in person, etc.
2. Do your research, know your craft. There is no excuse for lack of knowledge with the wealth of info on the net and the myriad of courses available at colleges, online and with reputable local planners.
3. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. (again, worth repeating from Liene). You have to have guts to be an entreprenuer. Most of us will tell you that our biggest regret, is that we did not start our businesses sooner. Have confidence to follow your passion. Stop "trying" to do something or spending hours "thinking" about doing it, and do it.
4. Surround yourself with positive people & Seek advice from those who have been successful. You know the saying, lie with dogs and you will wake up with fleas. Negativity breeds negativity. I am often surprised by people who do not follow their passions, based on the negative comments from people who are not accomplished. I choose to seek advice from those whom I wish to emulate, otherwise, what's the point.
5. Know your USP & your Value.
Thank you for sharing that. You're very generous with your knowledge and experience, which is a lesson to us all in itself. Can't wait to see how this next phase of your career unfolds.
Liene, thank you for sharing your story! It definitely gives a new perspective on some of the so-called "trials" we face on a day to day basis.
I think your point on learning from experts is great! It's very important to build up your reputation with others in the industry before taking on your own clients. You will most likely learn from these professionals what needs exist within your local market. If you set out to meet those needs, your new business will be accepted into your market with much enthusiasm.
Great post! You are truly an inspiration to the industry and to humanity.
Definitely surround yourself with positive people and positive energy.
Also, know what you don't know!
Hey Liene! I just wanted to pop in to say "thank you!" for sharing your story. You've completely inspired me to hope that I might be able to make a career change myself some day!
See you in a couple of weeks!
xoxo --Nole
Liene, from someone trying to make her mark in this industry. THANK YOU and thanks to those leaving comments. I have read and re-read this post and comments and find it truly inspirational.
Liene;
Thank you for answering my request. Your insight is helpful and definitely needed.
I started a wedding planning business 15 years ago with business cards and flyers and just participated in bridal shows in my area. Back then, there wasn't a lot of information and winging it worked then.
Today is totally different from yesterday and we have to be savvy, strong, creative, determined, hopeful and willing to do our best and let go when we have done all we can trusting that everything will work out just right.
I am looking to start all over again and feel a bit overwhelmed as there is so much information to glean and work with. Thank you for giving us a basis from which to work from.
Wishing you continued success,
Monica Smith
Coming from somebody new to the industry and business ownership, I have had to learn to be realistic, especially of my time. I'm stuck in Cubicle World until I can transition to planning full time, so the bulk of my time is eaten up by things that ultimately help someone else pursue their goal, not mine. When I have a block of time to devote to my business, I tend to be overly zealous about what I can accomplish. I get the “eyes bigger than my stomach" syndrome. If I have four hours, I like to think I can accomplish eight hours of work. And then I get frustrated. I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything. But when I look at it realistically, I realize I have still knocked of X number of items off my “to-do” list and I really am making progress toward my dream big goals. When I keep it in perspective, I feel a little less panicked about everything I need to do and it keeps me focused. And, more importantly, I’m a happier person.
You always give such wonderful advice...love your new profile pic too - beauty girl! ;)
Cheers!
Jaime
You are so awesome Liene, I loved reading your story!
Wonderful advice. The cubicle gave me such fire in my belly to stat my own design business. I'm not sure I would have had the courage to do it without knowing what living in a box was like :)
Liene well said. Faith, Determination, dreams bigger than the sky and the ability to be able to wear many hats. I love/hate owning my own business but wouldn't have it any other way! 2 years ago I decided I either needed to focus on my business full time or quit. I couldn't stand the idea of letting my baby go. So I compared it to getting to the top of a mountain and deciding to take the plunge to full time. Well I willingly stepped off that mountain and it has been AMAZING but there are days when I want to know who pushed me off that mountain. But I simply put on my big girl panties and deal with it, owning your own business isn't for everyone but for those of us who do we wouldn't have it any other way. I always knew I could do it and it feels fabulous to know that I was right!
Love your thoughts, inspirations and your new picture. This month I celebrate 25 years in the business.
I agree with opportunity doesn't wait for your calendar to clear up and give it an appointment. 25 years ago I took a detour passed a store, saw a help wanted sign, stopped in and got the position(eventhough I was managing another store at the time). Today I own the store (bridal) and have a wedding planning business too. Noone is giving me a gold pin for the 25 years. Why? Because I'm living my dream not theirs in their cubical. These 25 years have been worth more than gold to me. Although I thought 50 years was golden - that's my direction.
Thanks for sharing all your younger knowledge and advise. Old dogs do learn new tricks.
Wedding Wishes,
Jane
What a great story! This is so inspirational for a young entrepreneur such as myself. I'll definitely use this as a jumping point for what I hope to accomplish!
One of the things I have learned is to remember that just because I don't know who you are doesn't mean you aren't successful, established or someone I can learn for. Also, as silly as it seems, in a VERY tight-knit industry, think carefully before burning a bridge, and realize that gossip has a tendency to spread like wild fire... My journey to standing on my own two feet has been long, difficult, exhausting, and rewarding, and I wouldn't change it for the world!
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