Well peeps … I made it! That’s right! Though 30% of new businesses fail within the first year I am so proud to announce that I made it through my first year and just officially finished my second!
“What made you want to start your own business?” You may ask. Let me start from the beginning…. Ok, don’t worry, not the very beginning.
I have worked as an event planner for 20+ years for different organizations and planning my own events. I worked in the service industry as a waitress, to-go specialist, bar tender, and event coordinator. I worked for a non-profit for 10 years and ran all of their special events, including outdoor movie nights, and Giant BBQ (that included bike racing, chain saw splitting, Frisbee Disc Golf, lawnmower competitions, and Best Bacon contests). I have run a restaurant, driving school, children’s programing and camps.
Throughout those 20+ years I have planned weddings, baby showers,and multiple events on my own. I have had a lot of other experiences, but for time sake, and boring you to death, I will stop there.
Fast forward to the end of 2017. I was working for a job for several years, that I hated. The environment was toxic and started wearing on me in both my emotional and mental health. For a couple years before 2017, I had wanted to step out and do my own thing, but I constantly let fear take the drivers seat. Soon, I was not sleeping, having regular panic attacks, and was very depressed. I hated life and I hated my life.
Something I also should mention, is that I am mother of three beautiful children and married to an amazing supportive husband. I hated that my job of sometimes 80+ hours a week was taking me away from my kids and I was missing out on some very important moments, where freedom was on a short leash. After having a talk with my then 11-year-old about what she wanted to be when she grew up, I gave her an amazing pep talk about making sure she goes after what she wants in life and to never let someone or something hold you back from that.
The next night at a PTA meeting with some very dear friends, I told them I was wrestling with the idea of stepping out and the more we talked, they kept saying ‘Well, it sounds like you already know inside you what the right decision is.’
That night, I realized, it was time. I couldn’t go on living the way I was because it would kill me eventually. So in the beginning of 2018, scared to death, with NO PLAN B, NO OTHER JOB LINED UP, I walked into my job and quit.
I would love to tell you it was a fairy tale from there, but it was a far cry from it! I was in shock and denial for several months. I felt likes deer in the headlights, constantly questioning if I made the right decision. One day, in June of that year, I came across a sign that said, ‘Live the life that you want’, popping out at me. I realized that I hadn’t even tried to give this a go, so I set my fear aside, set up my Facebook and Instagram account, and took a leap. It was almost like the universe needing to see me jump in, because in the next week I got a call about planning a grand opening for a restaurant and shortly after that a summer party.
I can’t tell you it’s been a perfect ride, but this last year has taught me the most about who I am, what I am worth, and to pursue what I want in life. I have an incredibly supportive husband that knew the risk I was taking and the most wonderful friends and family that have encouraged me during my darkest days.
This morning I woke up excited about life, the fact that I get to create the life that I want to live, be involved in my kid’s small and big moments, to do WHAT I LOVE, and get to be the person I was created to be. In two years, I have planned, coordinated, and done venue coordination for 43 EVENTS!! WHAT?! I know!.
This next year my schedule is already starting to fill up, and you guys, I LOVE MY LIFE!!! Watch out 2020… I’m coming for you! So, I decided with this blog, that I am going to CELEBRATE! Below are just a couple of pictures from events I have done over the last 2 years.
Too often we get caught up and life and don’t take time to stop, and realize our accomplishments. I encourage you to stop, look around you, and take in your accomplishments.
Action Center Block Party Polar Express Client Appreciation Carnival Birthday ChickNCone Grand Opening ChickNCone Grand Opening Unicorn Festival SpayToday T-Mobile
Let’s CELEBRATE TOGETHER and let’s CELEBRATE YOU!