Every Friday I feature a reader comment from earlier in the week. Today’s comment comes from Courtney Fontenot, who owns Alpha Prosperity Events and responded to yesterday’s post about taking risks. Here’s what Courtney had to say:

“What an amazing post. Thank you for sharing. I struggle with this topic all the time — knowing when to take a risk and trusting that God has given me a talent or specific wisdom about something. I really want to take the risk of doing my business full-time, but I keep waiting for something – a sign – I don’t know. Thanks for the inspiring words. I will create my Faith confession using your words. Thanks for the post. It helps more than you know.”

Courtney, I chose to highlight your comment today, because I think so many of us have been in exactly your shoes. In fact, some of the other commenters on yesterday’s post had some words of wisdom just for you.

Melanie of Luxur Weddings and Events wrote, “As for what Courtney said, I thought that too at the beginning when I started my company: ‘What if something goes wrong? What if I don’t get enough clients and can’t pay my rent?’ And many more such thoughts that stopped me from running my own company full-time… thank god I did take the chance and the risk! It’s not as easy to do as it is to write, though. It takes time, sacrifice and loads of work to make things happen. But if you love what you do, it will be worth it!”

And Teri of Ready Set Wow wrote, “Fear is not a good reason to do or not do anything. If the only thing keeping you from doing something is fear, move forward and do it anyway. Love and much success to you all!”

Wonderful words of wisdom! I have the best readers. And, Courtney, I hope you’ll see that this blog post and the encouraging comments from other readers can be just the sign you’re looking for. Take the leap!

Happy Friday, folks. Have a great weekend. See you on Monday!

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This should be a prayer: God, grand me the ability to know the difference between taking a risk with the talent you gave me and being reckless with it.

As most of you probably know, I created an online event design and planning course, which is taught at colleges across America. But this year, for the first time, I’ll be launching two floral design courses — one for beginners and one for experienced florists.

My inspiration for these courses comes straight from the many emails folks have sent me sharing the same story: they hated their jobs, and so they took a risk and became a florist like me. They write that it was a very scary leap of faith, but that they’ve never felt more alive or happier.

I, too, took a big risk when I decided to pursue floral and event design. Fortunately, that risk has paid off. I believe I owe some of my success to my willingness to let God guide my soul journey. I always knew there were going to be lots of ups and downs and that the journey would be bumpy, but I trusted in God to help me distinguish between good risk and recklessness.

And, of course, I always remember the motivational quote, “When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the things you did do.” That sage advice has helped me take many enriching leaps.

Dear Readers, what risks have you taken that have paid off? Please share your stories. I can’t wait to read them.

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Everyone is a beginner once. And we all have to start somewhere.

Let’s say you hire a beginner to work for you. You take this person under your wing and teach him everything you know. After awhile, though, he decides he’s ready to leave and open his own business. You’re hurt but supportive. That is, until you discover he’s taken a few of your clients with him.

In my case, I’ve never worked for anyone else in the event design business, so I’ve never been in a position to take clients from a former boss. And, technically, there’s no law against it. But it’s definitely a gray area. How do you know when you’ve crossed the line? In your opinion, what’s okay, and what’s stealing? I think this is something a lot of us struggle with — both as employers and as employees.

Dear Readers, have you ever lost clients to an ex-employee? Did you do anything about it? Have you ever taken clients from a former boss? What happened?

Dear Preston,

I am in a horrible situation and don’t know what to do. I am begging you for your wisdom and advice!

I was employed by a wedding planner four years ago, and I realized this was my dream job. I was only taken on for maternity cover and then dismissed as the company wasn’t expanding and couldn’t afford to keep me on. I left on good terms with my former boss — or so I thought.

I had a couple of other jobs at the time as I needed to support my kids (I am a single mum), but all the time I dreamed of having my own wedding planning business. I spent so many nights remembering how happy my hard work made my former brides and how elated I was to be doing that as my job.

So, two years ago I decided that I couldn’t deny myself this dream; I took the plunge and set up my own planning business. It’s been a long road and still is, but I am thrilled to bits at the way it’s going. All of my clients — past and present — have been so happy. I cannot express how good my job makes me feel and how happy my brides are.

Recently, I discovered that my former boss has been contacting all the vendors and suppliers in our area saying that I am stalking her, stealing her clients, etc… This could not be further from the truth. Her business practice leaves a lot to be desired, but I wouldn’t dream of telling the world how she works. I have morals and values.

What do I do? Please help me!

Thank you,
A Sad (but on the way to being a successful) Planner

Dear Planner,

I love your story. Not everyone understands that once you get the planning and event bug, it’s not easy to let go.

My advice to you is to do nothing.

I once had a manager who I had to let go, because he was very abusive not only to my employees but also to my vendors. He proceeded to bad mouth me and my company every single chance he got. I was hurt, and, on many occasions, I thought about calling him out on his behavior. But I didn’t. Most of the folks he spoke to knew me as well, and they didn’t believe his lies. Eventually, it blew over.

You’re not guilty of any of the things your former boss is accusing you. Better still, your brides are happy, and you are happy. This is all that matters. It takes a lot of energy to get involved with hearsay nonsense: why bother? Your former boss will lose steam, and this will blow over.

I want to add, though, that it sounds a bit like you still carry some contempt for your former boss. I understand. I’d feel the same way. But please work on letting go. You’re only hurting yourself. Follow your dreams, and be the best planner you know how to be.

Dear Readers, has someone in your industry every badmouthed you and your work? How did you handle the situation? Please share.

“Step outside the box.”

I hear this expression over and over again from many of my colleagues. And it always makes me a little nervous.  It feels forced — as if we have to make an effort to be different; we don’t. Let your own individual uniqueness express itself naturally.

I grew up very poor in Panama, and I was forever captivated by all the beautiful things around me that I could not have. This gave me a keen eye for beauty, and this early appreciation has turned out to be a significant part of my work today. Your own life experience is always your greatest asset. Don’t work against it; just be who you are.

And forget about trends! Want to be different? Look within. You’ll be amazed at the many hidden treasures you’re storing.

Dear Readers, what part of your history has helped define your craft and your business?

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Every Friday I feature a reader comment from earlier in the week. Sometimes, I’ll publish a beautiful comment that really resonated with me. Other times, I’ll publish a comment from a reader who disagrees with me but whose insight has made me consider something in a new way. And some weeks, I’ll just publish a fun — maybe even a little silly — comment that gave me a good laugh.

Today’s comment comes from Corrine O’Neill, who responded to Monday’s column about the art of being a business person and an artist.” Here’s what Corrine had to say:

Hi, Preston.

To expand on my tweet, I do not consider myself an artist or a designer even though I design for a living. I consider myself a business person.

I see Buds and Blooms – Elegant Accoutrements as a business. My role within the company is so much more than “artist.” If I just created all day, I wouldn’t have a job. I have no safety net nor any other options, so I am keenly aware that every decision made needs to benefit the business.

That’s not to say that I do not enjoy the design work (I do) or that I produce anything less than high quality product. It’s just to say that my function is that of person making a living.

I don’t see my (small but growing) business any differently than a larger bridal or fashion design house. When you’re an independent “artist” people want to negotiate and managing expectations is difficult.

Framing myself as a business person has allowed me to unapologetically say, “These select (200 + designs) are what I produce, and these are the prices.” I also don’t have to manage expectations (which distract from the big picture, my business), and I don’t have to negotiate.

Obviously, this approach won’t work for many people, but it works for me. This perspective has allowed me to grow my business and has kept me grounded.

Just my two cents,
Corrine

I admire Corrine’s commitment to her business and her success, and I love that she values her work and her time. All of us — whether we consider ourselves first and foremost artists or business owners — should put as much conviction and resolve into our work as Corrine.

Dear Readers, do you agree with Corrine? Do you consider yourself a business person first and an artist second? Does it matter?

Happy Friday, folks! Have a wonderful weekend.

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This month has flown by, and it’s hard to believe it’s almost February — I’m still writing “2011″ instead of “2012″ on my checks!

I don’t tend to make lots of big New Year’s resolutions, but these last few weeks I’ve been thinking quite a bit about what I want 2012 to look and feel like for me and my business. I’ve found myself turning again and again to this blog and to you, my readers; some of my best thinking comes after reading your comments here.

Our recent discussion about trusting in your creative ability and learning how to know your work is good has given me an idea, and I’m really excited about it:

This year, I want ALL of us — no matter where we are in our careers — to reach out to someone else in the business. Every one of us has some kernel of wisdom to share. And the more you share, the more wisdom you’ll reap in return.

Even if you’ve only been in business a year, find someone in your community who’s only been in business a month or someone who hasn’t even opened their business yet but is thinking about it and feeling a little overwhelmed. Offer one piece of advice or an encouraging word. Think about what you wish someone had told you at an earlier point in your career — then go find someone who needs that information right now.

I know all of us are incredibly busy, but we all have time to offer at least one tip every month to a peer. That’s it. Once a month, be a mentor. You can do it in person. On the phone. Over email. Twitter. Facebook. Text message. Anywhere and anyhow! We all need mentors, whether we’ve been in the business decades or days, and I believe in the power of sharing what we know. It will come back to you.

Dear Readers, have you gone out of your way for anyone in the wedding and event industry recently? If so, please share your random act of (professional) kindness! If not, tell me what you’d like to do for someone else, and then go do it!

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In Monday’s blog post, entitled “The Art of Being a Business Person and an Artist,” I advised folks in our industry to “TRUST in your ability to create. Some artists buy into the lie that being an artist is only reserved for a select few. But if creating your art makes you feel alive, then you are an artist.”

That post generated many wonderful responses, but one comment in particular stood out. Renee Shea of Luminoso Blu Events wrote:

“As usual Preston your latest post came at a timely moment for me. I have been thinking all morning about benchmarking and quality work. I want to ask a question to your readers in relation to the ‘trust in your ability to create’ point. How do you get that trust? How do you benchmark your quality designs against others? How do you know that what you do is good, quality work?

I ask this from a position of a start-up business – I don’t have a back-log of clients who can attest for my work. I understand that it takes time to establish a business, but every business person knows that if you aren’t selling a decent product (quality or price wise) then being in business isn’t going to work. How do you know whether you’re selling a quality product/service?”

I think Renee’s question is incredibly important, and I know she really wants to know your answers. So do I! What would you say to Renee? Here are my thoughts:

Dear Renee, I completely understand where you are coming from. In fact, I joke that my next book should be a compilation of all the designs I’ve done that I thought were quality, but my clients definitely did not. There have been quite a few of those over the years!

I think your comment brings up two different issues: Artistry and Value. When I set out to create all those designs I thought were so brilliant, I had no idea my clients wouldn’t agree. In my mind, those designs were art. However, to my clients, they had no value.

As much as we are artists, we’re also in the service industry. We must remember that our jobs are to provide a service. That means, in part, that we have to give our clients the best quality product we can. In order to do that, we have to listen to them and hear what they need and want — not just what we want to produce.

The bottom line is that if my clients are happy, then I know I have a great product. Over the years, I’ve honed my instincts, and today I have a much better understanding of what my clients will and will not value. With time, you, too, will strengthen your instincts and develop your own signature look, style and interpretation.

Dear Readers, regardless of the product or service you provide (flowers, event design, stationery, food, lighting etc…) do your clients usually like the first ideas you come up with? What do you do when they don’t? Please share!

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Dear Preston,

On your blog you’ve written a lot about the importance of planners not accepting commissions. However, I’m a planner, and my payment model is mostly commission-based. I charge my clients a minimal fee with the understanding that I’ll be collecting a 20% fee from the vendors. To make things easy, I also ask my clients to pay the vendors directly. My problem is that I have a difficult time getting the vendors to pay me my commissions. What should I do?

Sincerely,
Distressed Planner

Dear Distressed Planner,

You’re right; I have written a lot about this topic, and it’s something I feel strongly about. Yet, I want to be very clear: As long as your clients know what you are doing, I don’t think there is anything wrong with accepting commissions. It sounds like you’re very upfront with your clients. Good for you. However, I was surprised by the percentage you quoted. 20%? Forgive me if I’m out of touch, but I thought most commissions were either 10% or 15%. No wonder vendors are resisting payment! Even assuming they agreed to 20% , that’s still a big dent in their profits!

With regards to your question, though, my answer is very simple: Collect ALL payments directly from your clients. Keep your 20% and then pay your vendors. Just be sure to pay your vendors the moment you get paid.

Now, for all you vendors out there, I know you need jobs, but if you’re giving away 20% of your profit, you’re headed toward some serious financial problems. Trust me; I know. I’ve been there.

Dear Readers, am I totally clueless? Is 20% commission standard these days? That seems awfully high. Please enlighten me! What’s the going rate?

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My passion is my art; I love being a designer and a florist. But the business side of my work is much trickier for me. I get so involved in the creative process that I forget to consider cost. Many years ago, when my business was deep in debt, I realized that if I didn’t get smart about business, I wouldn’t be able to keep creating my art. If I didn’t design, I didn’t know what I would do: I design, because I have no other skills. Even if I never got another client again and had to do something else for work, I know I’d keep daydreaming of heavenly event spaces; I can’t help it. Maybe some of you can relate.

Juggling your art with business savvy is hard, but here are three tips I’ve learned along the way. I hope they help you as they’ve helped me:

1. TRUST in your ability to create. Some artists buy into the lie that being an artist is only reserved for a select few. But if creating your art makes you feel alive, then you are an artist.

2. Be WORTHY. When we create from our hearts, our creations have worth. Do not let anyone tell you differently. And always, always charge what you’re worth. Don’t short change yourself or your art.

3. Making MONEY is also an art form. Embrace this truth.

The bottom line is that if you are an artist who believes in your worth and your creations, you will become a great business person. It really is as simple as that.

Dear Readers, are you charging what you’re worth? Do you see yourself first as an artist and second as a business person? Or, do you recognize that you must give to both equally?

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