Dear Readers:

Yesterday, I spoke of my desire to shake things up a bit. Today, I would like to highlight a new project I am very proud of. Many of you might have noticed some changes on the website.  While the old model of an online portfolio and a few blogs was a great first step, I wanted to interact with you on an even deeper level and bring you as much valuable information (and inspiration) as possible.

After nearly a year of design and detail, my staff and I have launched an online magazine with different sections with what (we hope) holds a little something for everyone.

I’d like to introduce just a few of the sections to you:

The Home Page: This page will serve as a table of contents and showcase our latest articles and features.

Portfolio & Services: Interested in viewing recent events, browsing Before & After shots, Floral Designs, Art Installations or finding information about our Design and Planning Services? This is where to look.

Wedding & Planning: Brides looking for inspiration on how to personalize their special day will find tips on our Bride Ideas blog and Bridal Style will  feature articles that relate to engagements, weddings, honeymoons and every event in-between.  I also spotlight some of my past brides in the Bride Spotlight section.

Flowers and Decorations: I love to find ways to Think Outside of The Vase, don’t you?

The Image Library: I have received the tweets, notes and emails and heard you loud and clear.  You can now locate images from my events on the Image Library which is updated frequently (feel free to share your thoughts through the rating system).

As always, my blog will be updated daily and the site as a whole is for you.

This is an exciting time for all of us, and the best part is that it is just the beginning. Over the next few months, you can expect to see even more on the site and I encourage you to share your feedback through comments, likes, tweets and ratings and know that I am paying close attention to your thoughts, as always.  Lastly, I want you to know how much my staff and I appreciate all of you.

Happy Surfing!

Preston

What is your favorite section of the site?

Are there any topics you would like us to address?

Photo courtesy of Pintrest

Dear Readers:

Thank you all for your kind notes and posts about your enjoyment of this series. I am really having a great time getting to know more about all of you, and I love the wonderful sense of community that seems to shine through in all of your comments and emails.  Today, I am profiling Ali Messer and Jessica Sheady, co-owners of Soiree Event Design, an event design and planning company based in Washington State.

Preston

Tell us, when you discovered that working in events was your passion?

The idea of Soirée Event Design was born in the kitchen while we (Co-Owners, Ali and Jessica) enjoyed our weekly baking and blogging session. Conversations often trended towards events, weddings, marketing and style. We discovered we both had a passion for events and the process leading up to an event, and decided to take the leap into business ownership!

What did you do beforehand?

We have a combined 9+ years in the catering industry. At the time that Soirée was built, Ali had just finished working for a catering company as a sales manager. Jessica, meanwhile, was working part-time for a catering company and for a real estate agency doing marketing.

Tell us about your biggest event success!

We love events that challenge us and force us to grow with creative solutions and design. But honestly, our biggest event success is any event where our services exceed our client’s expectations and they walk away happy with an unforgettable experience.

I believe that each of us have something unique and special to offer clients. What do you feel sets you both apart?

We pride ourselves in two things; we are 100% client-centered customizing our services to fit client needs and we make choices that focus on guest experience as well as client experience. It is so easy for an event to focus in on what the client wants and forget about the guests, but happy guests help make the most enjoyable events. We spend time getting to know all of our clients and strive to create an event that reflects their personality and still translates to a comfortable and enjoyable event for their guests. We pair them with vendors that best meet their needs and will create a pleasant experience.

Working in events is often a full time job, especially when you are committed to your clients. How do you find that balance between your personal and professional life?

Like so many small business owners, balance is something we have to put a lot of emphasis on. We structure our schedules in a way that we are able to get time off even if it is just a couple intentional hours during a busy day, and we are sure to squeeze in time with friends and family whenever we can. Having two of us is definitely helpful in managing time and allows us to have more flexibility.

Finally, describe the event of your dreams! What is the budget, theme, location?

The event of our dreams will always be a wedding, but it does not have a set budget, look or location. Our dream event is an experience where every detail has a significant role in helping paint a picture of the couple’s story, reminding them of what brought them to this day and what will continue to fuel their relationship. We love to encourage our clients to take elements from life that are important to them and their story and incorporate them in functional and meaningful ways. The event of our dreams tells a story with an experience instead of words.

Dear Readers:

The past few months have been extremely rewarding. I’m excited about all of the amazing projects I have been working on, and am thrilled about how everything in my life is aligned. I’ve never taken anything for granted in my life, and as of late, I have been keenly aware of all the remarkable things happening around me. I’m truly taking the time to be in the moment.

I noticed that when you are GRATEFUL the following could happen:

1. You are able to live in the moment. That doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t acknowledge the past, you just don’t reside there.

2. You have the confidence to teach someone else to also tap into their own supply of gratitude thus encouraging them to live their best life. Grateful people give more of what they want. They are in a constant state of  joy, and that is often contagious.

3.  Gratitude just is.  It is not forced or rehearsed and it allows you to give love in it’s most natural form.

4. Grateful people are often very intuitive. They usually have a great sense of self and are able to discern the good and the bad in others.  They typically don’t judge the latter but opt instead to teach, guide, and encourage those who need it most.

5. Grateful people are typically humble and tend to understand that their life is filled with exactly what they need at that particular moment.

6. Grateful people tend not to hold grudges.

7. Grateful people often have transparent souls.  They tend to operate from a place of authenticity where there is peace and abundance.

When we are at a point in our lives when it is necessary to make decisions, it is essential to make certain that we have a good grasp on our value system. Decisions become much easier as a result of taking the time to tap into your truest self and acknowledge what is right for you in your life. I know it can be difficult to find things to be grateful about when it feels like most things are going wrong. As an eternal optimist, I find that the more you focus on the good, the closer the good will be to you. When Preston first asked me to write for his blog, I was a bit hesitant, but  all of you have made me feel so welcome. For that, I want to say thank you.

I am truly grateful.

I’d like nothing more than to continue to connect with you. I’d love for you to be candid with me about what topics are of interest to you. What would you like me to hone in on? Are there any specific topics you would like for me to cover?

Kathy Romero is the Director of Event Planning for Preston Bailey Designs. She shares her thoughts and advice on Preston’s Blog every Thursday.

(Photo Courtesy of Kismis Ink)

Dear Readers:

Having just celebrated my fourth year working with the Wildlife Conservation Society on their annual gala, my appreciation of mixing traditionally natural elements with modern design has been heightened. When I came across Nature Factory a wonderful instillation by Mokoto Tanijiri done for Diesel Denim Gallery in Aoyama, Tokyo. I was eager to share the concept with all of you.

Based on a walk through nature, the instillation shows a plastic tree that has grown through the store and covered the ceiling and walls with branches that give “shade” to visitors in the store.

What do you think of the concept as a whole?  Which are your favorite photos?

Blessings,

Preston

(Photos Courtesy of Yatzer.com)

Dear Readers:

In today’s media heavy world, getting your name mentioned on televisions, in magazines and on the web is often seen as an essential component of success. Not only does it work to push brand awareness, but it also serves as a way to enhance your business credibility, telling the world that you’re not only an artist, but one editors are interested in profiling.

I remember the first time I was mentioned in print. The article was published in a bridal magazine and the piece came as a result of my calling the editor to introduce myself and checking in frequently. By chance, a florist she booked cancelled, leading to my big break–so to speak.

After receiving quite a few emails asking for my tips as to how to get published, I would like to share a few here on the blog.

I. Start with a newsworthy idea or concept. Do your research to see how your idea is different or what it relates to. What makes your idea or perspective fresh and unique? Why are you the only person who should discuss or profile it?

II. Moving further into the idea of maintaining a unique point-of-view. Think about whether or not you are approaching the editor as a trend-follower or a trendsetter. Fear of taking risks is common, but not all that interesting.

III. Dare to break a few rules. Stop focusing on trends and pay work on developing your own viewpoint and remain authentic to who you are. Years ago, I hit a nerve by admitting that, for me, “more is better.” I said this at a time when people were really holding onto the idea that “less is more.” I still hold my stance. Mother Nature offers lush, bountiful beauty and I enjoy incorporating this into my designs.

 IV. Target the right magazine for your ideas. Do your best to find out what is on their editorial calendar so that you can send your pitch or comments at the appropriate time.

V. Be interesting! Ask yourself if your idea would interest you as a reader and why. If you’re answer is “maybe” do not pitch it.

Lastly, don’t be discouraged. I believe “no” always means “maybe” or “not at this time.” Stay respectfully persistent and always look for feedback on how to pitch better.

Today, I would like to hear your thoughts on being published. How did it feel to be mentioned? Did it help your business? Did you feel it was a waste of time?

Blessings,

Preston

Photo Courtesy of  IMDB

Dear Readers:

I hope all of you are having a nice week.

As event professionals, our goal is to provide our discerning clients with the white glove service they deserve and expect. At times, this can be really challenging when clients seem to be irrational or easily irritated. As planners, we need to be like a chameleons and adjust to our client’s current state of mind. We should be able to mask our feelings no matter how “Red” they might be. It’s imperative that we understand that most of our clients have hired us because they want a certain level of expertise and attention. Not to mention, most of them are extremely successful and know that we are too! In addition, they do not have the time needed to execute the tasks associated with a wedding.

Here are some practices that have worked for me when managing a difficult client:

Open your ears: We must always be prepared to listen to our client’s, their concerns, and dislikes, alike. At times, the client just wants to be heard and his or her concerns may be easily appeased if you take the time to listen and address their needs immediately. The worse thing that you can do is avoid the issue. Always try to diffuse problems as they originate. Ignoring them will only make matters worse and your client more irritable.

Put your feelings aside: Don’t take things personal. More than likely, this is less about you and more about what is a priority to them. I find that focusing on my client’s needs and not their personalities makes a world of a difference. We must be prepared to adjust our mindset. When we do this we automatically set ourselves up for success and will be able to solve problems more efficiently.

Do not give room for ego: Be prepared to apologize, even if you think you’ve done nothing wrong. Aknowledge your mistake if there was one and move on continue to give your best. This will allow your client to build trust and may even bring you closer and improve your working relationship.

Put your body language on check: I know at times this can be difficult but try not to use your hands when confronted with an angry client. Be sure to be aware of the body language projected as well as any head or body movements. Allow your body and your mind speak the same language. I find it interesting when your words don’t match what your body language reflects.

Understand your limits. What are you willing to tolerate? Whatever you do always put professionalism first. Be clear and direct without forgetting what you stand for. Some clients are very challenging and we must be assertive when needed without disrespecting our client or our brand.

What are your best tips for dealing with difficult clients? Have you ever found yourself in a tricky situation you didn’t know how to get out of?

With a Happy Heart,

Kathy

Kathy Romero is the Director of Event Planning for Preston Bailey Designs. She shares her thoughts and advice on Preston’s Blog every Thursday.

(Photo Courtesy of Emily Gilbert)

As a designer, I try to always be open to inspiration for my own work, but I also love to come across innovative and interesting designs by my peers. Today, I thought it might be fun to share some very fresh and modern pieces that are being highlighted in the 2013 “Designs of the Year” exhibition in London. 

Which ones do you like best?

Preston

Corniches, for Vitra by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec