The answer is very simple: I WAS IN DESPERATE need of a job. Many years ago, I started in this amazing industry as a floral designer. I wish I could tell you about how I grew up in my native country of Panama loving flowers from my mother’s garden, but no, that wasn’t the case.
Sometimes you look back and think, “What was I thinking?”
Sometimes you look back and think, “What was I thinking?”
The truth is that I was broke and needed a job. If we look back at our lives, we all have “angels” who we might consider were brought into our lives by some divine intervention. Mine came in the form of my best friend, the interior designer Vicente Wolf. One day, while complaining about my down and out situation, he casually suggested that I should try going to a couple of his clients’ apartments and supplying them with weekly flowers…and so, that is how I found my life’s passion.
Another one where you might think, “What was I thinking?”
I have great news for all of you. If I, with my limited education and knowledge, could get this far so can every single one of you. I never had the privilege to work for anyone. I learned by practicing, making mistakes and learning from them, along with lots of good old COMMON SENSE. Always trust your instincts.
There were three things I knew instinctively were true then and are still true now:
- Creating a design or service that is DIFFERENT from any one else is key. Notice that I said “different” and not “better.” My goal was never to be the best, but always to be different. (By the way, this does not mean I was always successful. At times, I look back at some of my designs and say, “What was I thinking?”)
- The beauty of being an artist is in the doing. Being creative is seldom a gift. Even if it is, it’s something one constantly needs to work on. Taking time aside daily to work on your art, I think, is the only way to keep it fresh and new.
- It’s important to try your very best. Even today, the only request I have of myself and of my very talented staff, is just that: do your best. If you convey to your clients you are giving them your best, I can assure you that you’ll have a very successful business.
Who was one person in your life that you would call your “angel”? Or, tell me about you got started in your career.
PREVIOUS
George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Amysing Events
February 23, 2010
Preston, this encouraging post came at exactly the right time for me. I left my last job in August of 2007 because the pollution in LA made my lungs bleed, and despite over 7 years of experience in events and meetings I have yet to find a full time position. In the meantime I dabbled in coordinating and planning social events and weddings as a contractor, but never really put much effort into it and therefore was not very successful. I finally woke up and realized that I cannot wait for someone else to hand me a golden ticket, it is up to me to pull myself up from my bootstraps and make it work. Quite frankly out of desperation and hunger in the last week I have started afresh, with a new name and attitude – determined to do this the right way this time. Thank you for reminding me that no one becomes Preston Bailey overnight… not even Preston Bailey!
Amy
Apple
February 23, 2010
You are my inspiration, and my goal is to get the chance to attend one of your workshops. I am just getting started and I love this site, along with all the other planners here who share their experiences too. I’m learning a lot as I go & from everyone’s stories here. Thank you!
Janice
February 23, 2010
Forget what you just said Preston (smile), but Amy just inspired me! Love you Preston…it’s great to see a person of color in the events industry I can look up to!
Amy we can reach for stars just like Preston girl.
Fri @ Wedding Nouveau
February 24, 2010
You are truly an inspiration. THanks for the post.
natalia
February 24, 2010
hola preston soy de colombia y amo tu trabajo mi sueño es poder estar algun dia en algun curso o simplemente en tu oficina aprendiendo de ti y tu empresa eres mi ejemplo a sequir un gran abrazo
natalia
Alexandra
February 25, 2010
Preston…..YOU’RE THE BEST!
I’m a 22 years-old italian student and I think that you’re job is exclusive, unique….
I love the events and I hope that one day I can work for this world…..Please can I work for you??!!!…I joke of course…or better still…I DREAM IT!!
BRAVO!!! You’re my own inspiration!
Gloria Brown
March 23, 2010
Hello Preston, this is a great story on how you got started. You didn’t glorify your beginnings and you worked very hard to get where you are today.
I felt like I was reading about me especially with this statement: “Creating a design or service that is DIFFERENT”. I am starting a wedding business in Maine, Maine Platinum Weddings, and I’ve done a lot of research and I haven’t seen any of my designs in Maine. I feel this is key to my business becoming successful.
Another statement of yours that I admire: “It’s important to try your very best”. I have felt this way for years with everything that I do. I’ve always enjoyed going the extra mile to make a fun party for family members.
Sadly, I am embarrassed to report that I have never had an angel. My husband lost his job 7 years ago (forced retirement) and I have decided that I need to do something to keep the roof over our heads. I’m starting my business by using credit cards and I do realize that is not very wise to do but I don’t have any angels offering assistance. Preston, I’m so full of confidence and I know that I can do this and do it very well. Actually, I am probably my own angel…LOL
I will update you on my opening day this coming May and let you know the results. I probably should tell you how I plan to introduce Maine Platinum Weddings. I am holding a wedding show at an event center (on 10 acres of ocean frontage) on the coast of Maine. I plan to have several wedding table vignettes set in the room and a couple of elegantly arranged candy stations. I bartered with the event center and asked if they would play host to my 2-day wedding show event, in return I would bring a lot of traffic to their event center. Well, they loved my plan. I am also working on a 30 second TV commercial to advertise my wedding show on local TV and also plan to advertise on local radio, too. I will pay with credit cards because I didn’t try any bartering with TV and radio. I’m not nervous because I know I will get a few bookings from my fabulous show. Do you think I’ve covered the entire basis?
Also, Could you do a future post on your fabulous shoes? I saw an old post and loved your shoes!
MyahHIGGINBOTHAM
November 3, 2010
I truly appreciate you taking the time to post this. I really liked reading it and am looking forward to more posts from you! Keep ‘em coming.
- Gillian FORTNEY
Wanda Gomez
March 18, 2011
Preston God Bless You!! You are a true talented person and I’m so happy that with your course I can make it big with God by my side.. Stay Blessed!!
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September 7, 2011
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