“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” – HELEN KELLER.
Helen Keller was a very wise woman, and I think her quote captures what it means to be an artist. Even after all these years, I still love standing just out of sight near the entrance to one of my events as everyone arrives. I love overhearing guests as they walk inside and respond in awe to what they see. Those moments are music to my soul.
It’s also pretty magical when clients fall head-over-heels in love with one of their vendors. Although there are lots of extremely talented folks in the wedding and event industry, only a few vendors can make heartfelt connections with their clients. Doing business with heart is the topic of a new book I’m writing, and every day I see the value of this approach. Having heart when you’re with clients is just as important as having heart when you’re in your studio creating.
Making a genuine connection with a client is a wonderful feeling on a personal level, but it’s also a wonderful thing professionally. Who wouldn’t prefer to work with someone they feel close to and trust? I’ll let you in on a little secret: the easiest way to make long-lasting connections with your clients is to love what you do. If you’re happy and in love with your work and your life, your clients will feel that love. They’ll embrace it and respond in kind.
I apply a similar attitude to designing. If I’m working on a new design, and it doesn’t make me feel anything, I know my clients probably won’t feel anything either. You’re an artist; don’t over think it. If you don’t love something you’ve created, don’t sell it.
Dear Readers, tell me about a heartfelt creation or job you’ve done. I’d love to hear about your successes! I’m also curious if you’ve ever created something you’re not so proud of. I know I have (unfortunately!)
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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.
Wendy {Weswen Design}
July 27, 2011
Preston, you are SO right! Thanks for the great blog post. I LOVE designing custom wedding invitations…. I really can’t imagine doing anything else. And my clients tell me that they love my spunk and excitement I get when talking to them about a piece of paper… which in turn allows them to trust me to design something beautiful for them. But, that’s the thing… to me, it’s not just another piece of paper… it’s THE piece of paper! Keep rockin’ the great blog posts and thanks for always being inspiring!
Julie
July 27, 2011
I could not agree more. I’ve been happily married to my work for some 11 years now. I know it shows in what I do, but also what my clients feel. There’s always this indescribable light that emanates from something created with love.
And best of all that essence spills over into my marriage, my friendships and my relationship with my son.
I look forward to your book. <3 J
Geri Kosberg
July 27, 2011
Right on the spot! Clients can absolutely tell right from the start how much you love your work. I’ve been a floral designer and I truly believe that what makes me different from my competitors is my transparent love for creating and designing their wedding flowers. I am very bless to be able to do what I love and love what I do.
Napkin Wizard
July 27, 2011
Dear Preston, I love your blog and always find interesting and motivation topic here. My passion is always tablescape designs. I am currently developing a new napkin ring designs hopefully it will open the door for me to be more successful and contribute to the world of event planning.
KellyR
July 27, 2011
very good advise. i love what i am doing as a greeting card designer. it brings me so much joy.
Kathy from The Party Place
July 28, 2011
I can’t wait until your book comes out! I’m going to get it in a heartbeat. I work for an event rental company, and I love going above and beyond for clients just to see them happy. SInce our business is more of a supplier (not designing) it is SUPER important that I sell customer service to keep long term relationships with caterers, event planners and designers. One Monday not too long ago I came into work and received multiple phone calls from my clients telling me how amazing their event was over the weekend, and they each ended the phone conversation with “I just love working with YOU”. It made me whole week!
Justyna
July 28, 2011
Hi Preston,
I have certainly created pieces that I am not proud of. I once designed a bouquet for a bride who was extremely specific with what she wanted in her bouquet. Because I was still fairly new in the industry I followed her instructions very carefully even though it was against all of my better judgement and my better style. When I delivered her bouquet she reacted well but a few weeks later I had an email come back to me stating her disappointment. I gave her exactly what she wanted but looking back I should have trusted myself more as a floral designer and clearly voiced my opinions. Never again will I make this mistake again.
Can’t wait for your new book Preston and I hope I have the opportunity to meet you at the Creme de la Creme wedding show in Vancouver.
- Justyna
moscha chanioti
July 28, 2011
This is so inspirational. Today I woke up, after having some rest from what its been a really busy month with beautiful weddings, needed a truly inspiring food for thought.
It is so true. The nature of our work is “built” and “based” on love, long lasting relationships and trust! This is what keeps our beautiful couples together and what makes them open their heart and desires to us to make it real!
You are so right Preston!!!! Love is what drives us all the way to beautiful creations and of course to your what I call “WOW EFFECTS”. You have the “CHARISMA” to create what one can describe “more than a dream”.
My favorite moment was 2nd of July. Our couple had being together for 7 years and were both my age (around their 30s). I was hiding with them behind a wooden little house on the beach sand were we were waiting to make a grand reception entrance to what would seem to all guests coming right out of the sea! Just before the big lights were ready to be turned on they both looked at each other, a mini tear run through the bride both turned to me and said “ we’ve been together for so long, we are so happy, you made our dream real”!
There are moments that the feelings this job offers are priceless! Others that you really feel on your downside!!!!!!!!!
My not so proud moment is 4 years back that a bride has ordered a 3 tier cake way back before her arrival to her destination wedding. There was no mention on the cake during our meeting and had totally given the wrong order to the cake pastry. The outcome? It was a disaster! I do believe in Bad Aura! Really. This wedding has been tough since the beginning. The couple was very late in meetings, was very tough to handle, had really bad manners were very late at the church……
Of course I did learn my lesson! It is the little details that count!
Can’t wait for your next upload!