Dear Readers,
Many of you may have noticed that our industry is changing. Most vendors are very happy in their chosen field because it is their passion. Unfortunately, many vendors are also starting to find it difficult to wear only one hat. I started out as a florist, and although flowers are still a huge driving force behind my work, I quickly realized that to make a living in New York City, I needed to offer other services. It is for this reason that I started to offer several services, specifically planning.
I am not alone in this realization, as I know of many professionals who are now offering more than one service to their clients.
Planners are now working as floral designers. Florists are offering invitations and planning. Caterers are offering floral design and planning services. I even know of a band that offers floral design!
The mistake I made was to think that I could be a planner just because I wanted to be one. I felt that working with so many planners meant that I could easily start planning myself. Huge mistake! It took me a while but I finally realized that I needed to hire someone who specialized in planning, had a lot of experience and could give their full attention to meeting the planning needs of my clients.
I have no problem with a business offering a variety of services. In fact, I encourage it. The problem I have is offering services without experience while undermining those who actually have the know how. I know of several floral businesses who are suffering because of this practice.
Please share your opinion on this topic. Should we all stick to what we do best or do we need to understand that our industry is growing and that we all might need to wear more than one hat? Have you personally been affected by this practice?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Blessings,
Preston
(Photo courtesy of We Heart It)
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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.
Anouk
September 6, 2012
Dear Preston,
I totally agree with you! However, sometimes by expanding your horizon, you actually find your true passion. I started as a professional weddingplanner and I have planned a lot of beautiful weddings. During this job I also decorated a lot of these weddings and by doing so I found out that my true passion lies in the styling of events and not in the planning. Now I only work as an event and wedding stylist. My organization still offers planning, but I leave this to my very capable employees who are trained weddinplanners. I found out that planning and styling together at the same time is very hard to do on a professional level. Now I can just completely focus on the styling aspect and try to be the very best at that.
Divine Events in Panama
September 6, 2012
I think is something that is common also here in Panama, but as you say people need to understand when you decide to go on something new to offer to your clients be careful and prepare yourself for that.
We have many wedding planners here that are harming the industry not only for their lack of professionalism but also for underpricing the services.
Thanks,
Stephanie Valencia
Wedding Planner
Monica
September 8, 2012
Dear Preston, we have the same problem here in Italy. Especially because the market here is still pretty young. I come from a previous experience in marketing communication and corporate events so my job was organizing events and that is what I keep doing. As far as I can I avoid to do other people’s job as my understanding is that our job is to put professional and skilled suppliers and partners in the condition to offer their services at their best.
Samantha
September 14, 2012
I think we should find something we love and do it well! If you want your business to grow, expand your team. If you are a planner and want to do floral design, hire a floral designer, if you are a stationer and want to start offering planning services, hire a a planner to work with you. It’s OK to want to keep up with the industry, but it’s not worth it to sacrifice quality work, to beat out your competition.