We all want to succeed, but there’s no such thing as success without failure.
I had my first floral failure with my first flower arrangement, a large vase of French tulips. Unfortunately, I didn’t know that I needed to trim the stems before putting the tulips in water. Shortly after I delivered the flowers, I got a frantic call from my client – all of the tulips were dead!
I’ve experienced many more failures since then. Just last week, in fact, I learned that a potential client decided to hire another designer for her wedding. I was extremely disappointed, because I had been so certain my team and I were going to get this exciting job. But I failed to convince this lovely bride that I could bring her understated wedding vision to reality. She didn’t trust that I would design for her sensibility and not my own. This failure was especially devastating because it meant that the bride didn’t trust my creative integrity.
No matter how or when we fail, the best response is to examine the incident with a critical eye and ask yourself what the experience can teach you. With this most recent failure, I learned two very valuable lessons:
1. I cannot expect clients to see my over-the-top designs and immediately believe I can also create understated events.
2. I make it a rule to never start designing an event until I’ve been officially hired. However, I can’t help but wonder if in this circumstance I should have shown the bride what I had in mind. I would have had to invest a few hours of my time to design and render my ideas, but I’m certain I would’ve convinced this bride I was the right designer for her wedding.
You will fail. Repeatedly. And that’s okay. Just make sure you fail smart – always ask the right questions. And remember, failure is an opportunity to learn.
Dear Readers, what failures have you experienced? What did you learn from these failures?
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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.
Lynn
April 23, 2012
Thank you, thank you, thank you Preston for this post. I was just talking to my partner yesterday, saying I’m feeling a bit like a failure for various reasons – even though my business is stronger than ever – I just had always pictured myself being so much further along at this point. But knowing that even someone like you has hurdles now and then makes me realize I’m not alone. So, buoyed by your words, I am going to evaluate those issues I feel exist and really focus my energies on a proposal for a potential new client this Friday – a very cool wedding that I really, really want to get.
Navjot Kaur
April 23, 2012
Well said, “Failure is an opportunity to learn.” In the beginning, I was scared of being rejected for the job. It is not only the designs but how you display along with making a strong connection between you and the bride. When you are known for “Over the Top Designs” then it is extremely hard to convince a bride that you will do a fablous job with creating understated design concept. This post again gave me lot to think about as will I have to walk extra mile to fill the gap between me and my potential client.
Cara
April 23, 2012
This is why we love you! You show the whole picture! You inspire us with your designs and encourage us through your mishaps. Thank you for sharing!
Meta
April 23, 2012
If the great and wonderful Mr. Bailey can fail, then who am I to think that I shouldn’t. Thank you for the post. It takes a lot of pressure off of those of us trying to be successful in this business. Love your work!!!
Stefanie
April 23, 2012
i had the same exact thing happen. i thought i would be doing an event but then ended up getting booted off because i think either a) my vision was to high end, b) price was too high, or c) there were politics at play since a family member was hired. nonetheless i was bummed since i had invested time and put a lot of my ideas out there. some of which were used and i didnt get any credit for. this post was exaclty what i needed to see and just reaffirmed to me that these are lessons we all must go through. i will definitely be taking your gem of an advice to not start unless formally hired/chosen. thanks for this!
Sileola
April 23, 2012
Very Well Said: You will fail. Repeatedly. And that’s okay. Just make sure you fail smart – always ask the right questions. And remember, failure is an opportunity to learn.
Jocelyn Heyward
April 23, 2012
Thanks for sharing! I was beating myself up over an expiernce with past client but I will count it as a learning lesson and continue to do what I do best. I can’t please everyone.
LolaDavid
April 24, 2012
I have failed in the event business and I am really thankful for all the failures because I have learnt to grow wisely and stronger in the midst of all the failures.
Heather Chesnet
April 24, 2012
Thank you for the encouraging blog. I know that we will face many failures in the future and I will keep in mind what you have written here.
You are an inspiration!
annette
May 5, 2012
I am a spring 2012 LWPI student. As a new planner worried about making mistakes, it is encouraging to know that even seasoned professionals still make mistakes. That is ok to fail but we must learn and move on. I am excited about moving forward in this industry.
Norah
May 7, 2012
I’ve had so many failures but I’m still going strong like a “rock” — my advice to you: don’t always take it personal. You’re running a business, and no; not all clients are meant for you no matter how hard you try. Tip: embrace your “artistic freedom” and don’t be afraid of “client rejection.” Rather, with every rejection, find a way to make yourself much stronger — like you said, it’s an opportunity to learn. And not only that, but grow as well.
Pearl - Malta Wedding Planner
May 19, 2012
Failure is the key to improve yourself. Unfortunately most people take it personal and do not reap the benefits that can be learnt from failure. A good habit is to reflect on the decisions taken during any given day and ask yourself if you could have done better. Doing so you will be learning from your own experiences and hopefully be less prone to failure. Thank you Preston for sharing your knowledge and experiences.
Nishaka
May 23, 2012
Thanks for sharing this blog Preston. One of the things that I have come to learn about me over the years is my style. My wedding planning and vision style is definitely a “chic/elegant” style. For me, I’m finally in a place where I am okay with that and feel very comfortable with the style and vision that I carry. More and more I am attracting Brides who like the style that I radiate.
Regarding the other point, I have improved upon not planning the wedding before they hire me. I am not 100% good at stopping myself from giving up too much information, but I am much better than I use to. I have been disappointed several times in the past by sharing to many ideas and processes and not being hired for the job.
As always…Thanks for your Blogs!
Wendy Labkovsky
October 5, 2012
great website!! You could start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned.