Saturday, October 29, 2016

4 Reasons Why You Can't Afford "Not" To Have an Event Planner


From your child's 1st birthday to a business launch party, we are providing you "4 Reasons why you  CAN'T afford "NOT" to have an event planner...

4. Who else will handle the mishap of your DJ not showing on the day of your wedding? (this actually happened to me and because I did NOT have an event planner, I had to find and book a DJ before 10 am the morning of my wedding. Side Note: Even event planners should hire an event planner for their own events.)

3. Event planners come with a community of affordable vendors that may not be within your budget if you attempt to hire them on your own. (Example: That remarkable photographer you saw in the last issue of your local magazine who's starting package is $4000, your event planner may possibly be able to get them for $2500 because of their connection in the industry.)

2. Do you carry an extension cord, electrical tape, clear nail polish, an extra android and IPhone charger, batteries for that microphone that just went out, stain remover, and $1 million dollars in event insurance? If you do, you need to be an event planner and I will personally hire you!

1.  Your time is priceless. Being your own event planner takes you out of your own event. Your big product launch party, you will look back at the pictures and realize you aren't in any of them because you were in the back serving the food or better yet, the one taking all the photos. 

Now Lets Get Your Party Started!!!


Wednesday, January 20, 2016

10 Reasons Why You Need A Statement Coffee /Tea Mug ~From one Boss to another

10. Morning Motivation - Who doesn't need to be motivated in the am to get up and grab the day by the horns.
9. Branding- because every business owner should be a walking billboard for their business without looking like "I am a walking billboard for my business".

8. To tell everyone what type of mood you are in without saying a word.
7. To show where you wish you were.

6. To let everyone know how you know every one's business but instead you choose to partake in your hot beverage. 
5. Reminder to everyone how much of a label snob you are! 
4. Because everything is better with glitter. 
3. It can act as a reminder of your job title.
2. To remind everyone of your other addiction besides coffee.
1. Because what #boss doesn't have a cute mug to sip out of 😆
All mugs can be found at MuggedbyHenryandCo. ~#ipartyforaliving

Thursday, December 24, 2015

~How to Balance Work and Life During the Holidays~


With being an entrepreneur who still works a full time job, it is a uphill battle with work and life balance.  Before I begin,  I am no expert, I am actually writing this to help/ warn anyone who may have this happen to them in the future.

I am currently sitting here on Christmas eve, at work, on my break, ready to pull my hair out and just ball up in a corner and just cry. Why? Because besides the fact my hand drawn coffee mug business is doing excellent this holiday season (I am super thankful for this),  in turn my own holiday is falling to pieces. I've worked so hard cranking orders out that I literally had no time to do any of my own families holiday traditions. No grocery shopping done,  only half of gifts are purchased,  none are wrapped,  tree still in box. (We did manage to decorate Santa hats and the stockings though). See my frustration now? How did I manage to find myself in this position. Me! An event planner.  My job is to plan and schedule, where did I go wrong? Then it hit me, I just failed to respect my time. No, not schedules and time blocks. I did not give myself a cut off time. I accepted every last minute order up until the day before Christmas Eve. Crazy right?! So what to do now to prevent this from happening in the future:

1. Give yourself a cut off time (2 week prior to the holiday): Maybe state at the beginning of the holiday season when will be the last day to accept holiday orders.  This gives ample time for your customers to place orders.

2. Set office hours: As an entrepreneur,  its so easy to find yourself working at 3am. It's even praised upon. Sometimes its necessary,  but lets not make it a habit. Set hours to answer emails and return phone calls. This will help to provide structure and your customers will get use to knowing when you will get back in touch with them.

3. Start holiday shopping early: We all say we are going to do this. How about actually doing it! Not only will you have less stress when the holiday comes but you will more than likely will be saving money in the process.

4. Buy help: But I can't afford that!  Well if you noticed,  I didn't say "hire", I said "buy". Purchase items that will allow you to do your job more efficiently.  In my case it would help if I just would do all my shipping from home. Purchasing a scale and supplies from stamps.com would eliminate the time used running back and forth to the post office. Find services that will help you to work smarter not harder.

This is just a short list but I hope this can help someone to avoid being in the position I am in at this very second. Happy Holidays!!!

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Leave the "Naysayers" at the Door, Step into Your Destiny

You maybe wondering,  where is #ipartyforaliving going with this one? This does not look like party attire.(And why do she have slippers on?) These are my comfy shoes (it's Sunday....and on Sundays I plan....in comfy clothes). But back to my story. With being an event fashionista, you have to look the part.  I'm always up for a good clothing sale and today was no different.  Today, my mother and I went to a shopping event called Dress For Success. It is a pop-up shop second hand clothing event held about twice a year that last about 4 days. On the last day, they have a sale where you purchase a bag for $20 and you stuff as many items as you can in the one bag. The proceeds go towards charity. Exciting right? The catch is you have to give the $20 before entering the store.
When we arrived, I notice there was a line (thinking to myself I should have came earlier). When we got to the door, the lady asked for the $20. As my mother was paying for us to get in, a lady dressed very regular (I'm being nice) pulls me to the side and says " you don't want to waste you $20 on that second hand junk. There's nothing in there that's worth it anyways. "  I simply replied "thanks" and proceeded to go into the shop. That's when I realized the line outside the door wasn't people waiting to go in, it was people not willing to pay the $20 without knowing what they were going to get. Instead, they had other people inside trying to grab items for them that they could only view from standing outside. (The good stuff is in between the racks ).


Guess what? I ended up with a bag full of slacks, skirts, a dress, shoes and blazers for only $20. That's not all. Most items still had the tags on them. One blazer alone was $150. Point of the story is, in business,  you will have the naysayers in the beginning telling you all the reasons why not to go into business for yourself.  Why? Because most of them were too afraid to try it themselves. If I would have listened to the lady in the line, I would have missed out on a whole new to me designer winter wardrobe for only $20. I'm not saying quit your job today without a plan (I would be a hypocrite saying that because I am still in the process of becoming a full time entrepreneur). What I am saying is don't be afraid to invest in yourself. It's okay to start off with a "side hustle" but have the vision of one day making it your main hustle. Ignore the naysayers and step into your destiny. Now time to go plan a fab baby shower.  Details to follow. ~#ipartyforaliving

Friday, October 2, 2015

Taking the Leap


As an entrepreneur,  you are faced with many challenges,  fears, doubts and uncertainties. As many of you know (or maybe not), besides event planning,  I also create and sell personalized coffee mugs. I had created a mug for hair industry known Ming Lee of Snob Life Studios. (Google her, she is an awesome female entrepreneur who took the leap of investing in herself and created a million dollar business). I was going to present it to her at one of her Branding and Marketing Seminars. I purchased VIP tickets to have the chance to sit with her personally to discuss starting and maintaining your own business.
Unfortunately,  the seminar was cancelled. I kept the mug in a safe place and kept going with life.  Mug after mug I would create, store in the same area where Mings mug was, and then sell them. Months later, I was asked by a friend if I had ever sent Ming her mug. Then it hit me. Why didn't I think to just send it to her.  Unconsciously, was I afraid to "take the leap". I believed I had a good product, but did I feel it was good enough? I decided at that moment to ship of the mug to her. I was nervous. I had to re write the address label 3 times. I sent it and then I posted it on social media, tagged her in the post and guess what? Within 5 seconds, she acknowledged my post and loved it.
With being an entrepreneur,  its okay to be scared, nervous,  unsure but what matters most is that you use that fear as fuel and "Take the Leap". You only miss 100% of the shots you don't take. ~#ipartyforaliving

Thursday, February 13, 2014

~Curves Ahead~ {Davids Bridal}






I had the pleasure in taking part in the 2014 Bridal Runway Show in my hometown of Harrisburg, PA. Being surrounded by size 0-2 models, you have to own a sense of self in order to hold your own on the runway. The average woman is curvy. You want to make the bride to be in the audience who may feel that they are not beautiful enough know that they too can fabulous in their own skin. 




Monday, February 10, 2014

~DIY Reception Chair Signs~




If you are recently engaged, you are probably looking for decor ideas for your special day. I am an advocate for details . One trend that will not be going away any time soon are Reception Chair Signs for the bride and groom. It's a cost effective way to add personality to your reception. They also make for great photo props and keepsakes. For my DIY brides, websites such as Pinterest offers step-by-step instructions on how to create reception chair signs. If you are not as crafty, they can be purchased from a variety of sellers on www.etsy.com