2020 - What can I say, it’s been different. A mysterious virus has taken the country by storm. Businesses are closed and people are stuck in their homes. My state has been going through a different phase. One moment it is open, and then the next it is closed. Because of the closures there has been palpable silent over my business. My phone stopped ringing and the referrals stop coming. No weddings, baby showers, graduations, or parties. So, all I have is time to sit and think how can I pivot my business in a time of crises.
I am an Event Planning and Décor production professional. However, I was doing it as a side job while working my 9 to 5 in banking. January 13th, I was laid off my job. I was devastated. I had given that company five years of my life. So I thought, “I will never be laid off again!” Since that day, Byrd Nest Events & Design has been my passion project.
I have been following a certain designer on Instagram for some time named Jawanna Little of Oniee Events. I love her work because it’s fresh and different. I was encouraged to enroll in her program with The Luxe Curators Design School. I wanted to freshen up my design skills. I am now one of the first students in her program. It is a six-month program that stresses floral design and business. In the class, I learned to process flowers, how to order them, and how to design them. As part of the floral portion of the program, the final project is to produce a style shoot. Also, as part of the assignment, I was to submit my floral work and design to be published in a magazine.
I was tasked with obtaining a venue and vendors to product my style shoot. It was also my responsibility to correspond, create timelines, coordinate with vendors, and design. Of course, when I heard the assignment, fear immediately set in. How am I going to pull this off? Then I thought, “Dummy, you’re an event planner; put those skills into motion.” I posted on Facebook inquiring if any vendors would be interested in collaborating. I coordinated with thirteen vendors to produce my greatest achievement to date. I submitted my photos to MunaLuchi Bridal, and they immediately accepted the images!
To say I am over the moon is an understatement!
If it had not been for my planning background and the support of my instructor and family, I am not sure how well it would have turned out. The quote I live by and that motivates me to do my best is by Benjamin Franklin, “Fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”
