Getting to Where You Want to Be

My path to where I am now began eleven years ago. I remember my first shift as a banquet server at the country club that evening in November of 1998. I was a senior in high school and picked up a second part time job to make some cash for college. I had never worked in the food industry before, but it was a start to where I am now.

After a year of employment, I was promoted to banquet captain. I was now in charge of the event time line, up to ten servers on any given night, and cutting wedding cakes. My manager took note that I was a diligent worker, could delegate tasks to get things done quicker, and still worked my butt off to make sure the bride & groom (and their parents) were happy.

Two years after I started working in the event & food industry, I transferred to The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago to earn a bachelor of arts in fashion marketing & management. I landed an internship with a bridal designer in Chicago, which was an intense look at the wedding industry. Working with brides on a daily basis was a great eye opener.

After college, I used the business side of my marketing degree for the first four years post college, working for the largest Christian communications company in the world. As a department assistant, I developed my strengths working with a team, managing email lists, arranging travel, submitting expense reports, and helping with every project that was thrown on my desk. It was not glamorous, nor was it a job that I loved. However, I took time to figure out what I liked to do best, which ended up being working with a team of smart individuals on various projects.

After working in my corporate cubicle for four years, I decided to make the leap of faith and open my event planning business, Pearls Events. My company is now over two years old and I will be honest in saying it has not been a stress-free two years. I've dealt with flaky interns, crazy clients and making no money. I've turned down business when things were not right, recommended my competition and went from working 40 hours a week, to working 90 hours a week. I work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Why do I tell you this? Because it took me nine years of working part time jobs, earning a college degree, and busting away in the corporate world to open my business.

This time of year means my inbox is full of requests for job shadows, coffee dates, and internships. I have developed a standard response to all of these talented women who contact me, however recently Jodi Bos, who produces some of the most elaborate events our area has seen, wrote a fabulous post that I want to pass on if you're dreaming of being an event planner. I have only posted the main points. Jodi has so much more to say, so check out the original post here.

1. This is tough work.
   
2. You don't get to where we are overnight.
   
3. If you can solve 10 issues in 30 second then you're on your way.
   
4. Organization is King.
   
5. Know your limitations.
   
6. Volunteer. Volunteer. Volunteer.
   
7. Learn to write.
   
8. Align yourself with the best.
   
9. Always persevere.
10. Passion is not something that can ever be taught.
    

And just in case you're wondering, Pearls Events hires two event interns each March. Please watch the blog for the announcement in January if you're interested!