Last week I had the pleasure of working with two of the most influential ladies in my career--my dearest friend Joan Rivers and, someone who not only continues to inspire me but is constantly changing and inspiring folks all over the world, the dearest Oprah.
When I first met Joan in 1997, she gave me a vision that even today I try to implement into every single job I do. When I was designing her daughter Melissa’s wedding she said, “When each guest walks into my event, I’d like them to have the same experience as witnessing a dramatic setting at the opera. I want them to gasp the same way everyone gasps when the curtain goes up to an elaborate setting.” Yes folks, this sentence gave me a very specific direction for my business, and it is still always my goal.
Joan and I have remained friends ever since then, and for me she is the true meaning of a star. She treats everyone around her with great care and kindness. I was honored when Joan asked me last week to do a segment for her show How’d You Get So Rich?. The episode will be airing in the spring.
During the shoot
Then, last Thursday I was honored to do one of the first events in New York for the Oprah Winfrey Network. I had the opportunity to spend time with the other influential figure in my life, Ms. Oprah. Most of you may have learned to love this lady from watching her on TV, however to be with her in person is to feel loved. There is no other way to put it. I think this is her greatest gift from God–her ability to manifest love.
Each time I see her, I walk away feeling the need to be a better Preston. One piece of advice of the many words of wisdom I received from Oprah years ago was when she told me that we seldom get great opportunities in life, but when we do, we should stop and put all our energy, creativity and resources in it to shine. I take this to heart each time I am asked to do something I have never done before. Oprah, we all love you, and I am glad you loved the event.
How has Oprah influenced your life?
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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.
Janice Celeste
April 13, 2010
YOU!!!
kathy warden
April 13, 2010
Preston you have inspired me to be the best i can be!.. I was so fortunate to participate in your first bailey and blum mentoring weekend. every day i have been trying to implement something that i learned from you and marcy.
in our one on one session you told me that if i have the opportunity to be on tv, go for it.. well today i did.
i taped a segment with CBS3! it felt great.. thanks to you i had the courage to do it. and i had so much fun!
i follow your blog every week and am consistently amazed by your creativity and ability to share your knowledge.
thank you
MELISSA
April 13, 2010
SHE HAS THE COURAGE TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES THAT PEOPLE RARELY TALK ABOUT AND TO TELL HER STORY OR ABUSE ALSO……
XXO
M
Martine Chery
April 14, 2010
This is so well said: ”Each time you see her, you walked away feeling the need to be a better you” This is exactly what I feel everytime I watched her show. For me, it’s very important to be surrender by inspirational people like Oprah and it will be one of my biggest dream come true to actually be in her show to tell her how she inspired me to create my own business as a wedding planner and learn to be a better person at it everyday! Respect for you Oprah!
cna training
April 18, 2010
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
Michelle
April 19, 2010
Preston you have inspired me to be the best i can be!.. I was so fortunate to participate in your first bailey and blum mentoring weekend. every day i have been trying to implement something that i learned from you and marcy.
in our one on one session you told me that if i have the opportunity to be on tv, go for it.. well today i did.
i taped a segment with CBS3! it felt great.. thanks to you i had the courage to do it. and i had so much fun!
i follow your blog every week and am consistently amazed by your creativity and ability to share your knowledge.
thank you
Ivet Khechoumian
May 24, 2010
I admire how real, how creative, how inspiring you are and I have never met you. I love reading your blog and each and every time I do, I become more encouraged and fueled to do my hearts desire for my business. Thanks for being a source of motivation with your words. YOU ROCK!!
shanice
June 9, 2010
Today june 9 ,2010 i was watching joan rivers how’d you get so rich? and saw your segment. I admire how artistic and humble you are like the fact that you live is a studio apartment when you can live any where you want to. I am a 17 year old girl who lives in the bronx who never had a male role model in my life i truly believes your a wonderful person and is now my male role model. thank you i hope someday we could meet and you could give me tips on going for my dreams.
marlopcast11@yahoo.com
August 26, 2010
Preston you are for many reason you are to me like a roll model to me. For you desire to continued what you do it best ! i push my self everyday to be better and better and also know the i will be successful. Thanks Preston
Navjot
October 11, 2010
When I see Oprah on show, all I see in her is strength to withstand and engage in purposeful doers. What else one can ask for!
When I see her talk about the issues, reminds me of my mother’s vision and determination for standing up for the rights of abused woman and children, establishing AIWC in home district in northern India back in 1973. I recall woman did not even want to become members of AIWC because of the fear factor. My mother never gave up and is still working hard at 83 to bring in positive change. My mother did not had the resources but I have to applaud Oprah for using these resources to bring in change into the society at large.
You give in a part of yourself when you live up to others.
autoversicherung vergleich
October 20, 2010
I am doing research for my university thesis, thanks for your brilliant points, now I am acting on a sudden impulse.
- Kris
meliana ~ blubells flower
November 1, 2010
You r one of influential people for my florist career… Love you!.. really wish that someday will meet you personally.. or probably works with you..*crossing fingers*
Anonymous
November 21, 2010
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY?
Orly
January 20, 2011
She treats everybody as an equal with compassion
Mary Rumson
January 27, 2011
am so elated with this wonderful writeup of yours. I don’t even know what to say
Linda Patterson
July 1, 2011
Preston
You are a truly an amazing talent. Your gift from God has been not a blessing to you, but to all of us, and your clients as well.
Thank you so much for sharing your talents, wisdom, lessons learned, ideas and inspirations with us, we truly appreciate it, I know that I speak for all event designers/decorators/florist/planners.
Since this interview was about Joan Rivers, I hava a questions to ask, and I’m hoping that you will share the answer. You once designed a magnificient elephant centerpiece for Joan for a luncheon that she wanted to share with close friend about a trip she took. Was that that material made of? What did you use to design this beautiful centerpiece? It was truly spectacular!
You always say that you find it a compliment when someone wants to copy your design, I confess, I would like to create something like this for one of my dearest friends who simply loves and collects elephants.
Thanks
Linda
Ruchi
January 10, 2012
Please write on your face book when your show is about to air with Joan Rivers.
Would love to watch it.