Meet QC Occasion College Graduate, Carisa Lockery!
In regards to the College, Featured, Graduate Options, Pupil/Graduate Options
When (and why) did you notice you wished to pursue a profession within the occasions/weddings business, Carisa?
It was a wild experience, for positive! I’d graduated with my Bachelors Diploma in 2004, and I made a decision to return and pursue my Masters Diploma in 2007. In these 3 years, I used to be looking for a job that I actually thought I might be completely happy doing. My dream was all the time to work for an promoting company in New York Metropolis!
Nonetheless, once I met my (eventual) husband in 2005, I made a decision this was now not the trail I wished to take. I hated each job I had that required me to be caught in an workplace from 9am – 5pm on daily basis. I simply knew I wasn’t lower out for that. So, I gave some thought as to what actually made me completely happy…
I liked speaking to folks, attending to know new folks, being on the go, and simply interacting with as many individuals as I may. I’ve all the time been a little bit of a social butterfly, LOL! I gave some thought as to what I may very well be good at, and I remembered working part-time with my cousin a couple of years earlier. They had been a marriage photographer and I’d assisted the lead photographers on the marriage days. We’d began with the bride preparing within the morning, and labored by means of to nearly the top of the reception.
I assumed it was so cool seeing how a marriage day unfolded like that, and every little thing simply appeared to return collectively. I’ve all the time been the organized, Sort A. So, I assumed, “Hey, I may plan weddings! I might love that!”
And thus, Pink Olive Occasions was born!
(Truly, on the time, it was CR Socials Occasion Planning. I rebranded in 2018.)
Why did you determine to pursue your certification coaching on-line (slightly than in-person)—and the way did you hear of QC Occasion College?
I liked the comfort of with the ability to do it on-line. On the time, I used to be additionally pursuing a Masters Diploma. So, the flexibility match into my life completely. It was additionally good as a result of shortly after, I had my first little one!
Why did you select to enroll with QC Occasion College? (E.g., What was it about our faculty that gained you over, in comparison with different on-line occasion/marriage ceremony planning faculties on the market?)
Once more, I actually liked the comfort of the net lessons. Again then, there weren’t too many choices like that. Plus, the coursework gave the impression to be precisely what I used to be searching for to start out my enterprise!
RELATED: Dream of beginning your OWN enterprise within the occasions/weddings business? Right here’s every little thing you’ll want to begin a enterprise from scratch (even should you’ve by no means been a businessowner earlier than)!
How would you describe your fashion as an occasion and marriage ceremony planner?
I prefer to suppose we’re extra laid again than most. Whereas we nonetheless have a “get stuff carried out” angle, we attempt to be as flexible as attainable with shoppers’ wants. We don’t prefer to be the stuffy, stereotypical marriage ceremony planner that offers the remainder of us a nasty rep.
Fairly, we prefer to have enjoyable with our shoppers—whereas nonetheless getting the job carried out that we had been employed to do!
What made you determine to take the leap and open up a enterprise of your very personal?
After graduating school and having many roles I didn’t really feel keen about, I felt it was time to change into my very own boss. I wished to do one thing I liked. It was scary, and it didn’t occur , but it surely was undoubtedly value it!
The place did the title of your enterprise, Pink Olive Occasions, come from?
My unique firm title was CR Socials Occasion Planning, which I had for 11 years. After taking a step again for a bit, I reevaluated my enterprise and the kinds of shoppers I wished to work with. I assumed the easiest way to do that was to rebrand.
I wished to maintain comparable colours and imagery within the brand. My brother is my graphic designer and net designer. So, after tossing round some concepts and wording, Pink Olive Occasions was born. Plus, they’re my two favourite colours (pink and olive inexperienced!).
RELATED: Undecided tips on how to model your enterprise? Our How-To Information has you coated!
What had been probably the most difficult components about launching a enterprise, and the way did you overcome these challenges?
To start with, it was tough to get shoppers. I used to be new and didn’t have a lot to point out for occasions I’ve carried out. I do suppose it helped that once I first began, I used to be simply planning smaller occasions and never weddings (till after my very own marriage ceremony in 2008).
With a purpose to join with brides, I networked, networked, networked… And the networked some extra! I went to each networking occasion I may, in addition to launched myself to others within the enterprise that I wished to work with. That is nonetheless my greatest piece of recommendation for these newer to the business.
In your opinion, what are probably the most rewarding points of proudly owning/working your individual enterprise?
With the ability to make my very own hours, which allowed me to remain residence with my infants after they had been born. That, to me, is priceless!
Inform us concerning the marriage ceremony and occasion planning companies you at the moment gives shoppers!
Presently, we offer Full Planning and Marriage ceremony Day Administration. Moreover, we even have an a la carte planning listing that we are able to use to construct a customized proposal for {couples} who could also be between these two companies.
We are able to additionally assist with elopements and micro weddings. These explicit companies had been born throughout COVID.
Usually occasions, potential shoppers are hesitant to rent an expert occasion/marriage ceremony planner as a result of they’re not totally satisfied it’s well worth the cash. Are you able to inform us, in your individual phrases, why you imagine hiring an expert planner is value the associated fee?
The saying, “time is cash”, is a saying for a motive. There are such a lot of issues a planner can take off your plate, thus saving you time!
We do the legwork when trying to find venues and distributors. We are able to seamlessly put decor concepts collectively. Moreover, we all know the fitting method AND the improper option to do issues.
As well as, we now have relationships with distributors. So, we are able to simply match the couple with these of their finances and that match their fashion.
Do you keep in mind what your very first occasion or marriage ceremony with a legit shopper was like? Inform us about it! What did you be taught from it, what went properly, what didn’t go as deliberate, and many others.?
My first occasion was a shock fortieth celebration. A spouse was planning it for her husband. I used to be tremendous nervous and had my husband (then fiancé) serving to me with decor setup. We employed the caterer, bartender, and photographer. It was truly a very nice first occasion!
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What are your enterprise methods relating to: discovering/attracting shoppers, advertising and marketing/getting your title on the market, networking, and many others.?
Presently, we aren’t doing any paid promoting. Our enterprise is principally constructed on referrals and word-of-mouth. Social media has been a game-changer!
I can’t inform you what number of shoppers I’ve booked from Instagram (principally) and even Fb. Previous {couples} refer us to their mates, and distributors tag us in posts to unfold the phrase about us. Then, unexpectedly, a bride is reserving us as a result of she likes the truth that we’ve labored together with her photographer earlier than.
Pink Olive Occasions has obtained awards from each Marriage ceremony Wire and The Knot, which is SUPER spectacular! Inform us extra about that!
Sure! We’re honored that our shoppers take the time to inform others about us! Presently, all of our enterprise comes from word-of-mouth and referrals. So, these critiques are extraordinarily essential in getting future potential shoppers to listen to about us.
You’re positioned in Cheshire, Connecticut. How a lot competitors are you dealing with in and round your space? Moreover, what are you doing to (1) make your enterprise stand out, and (2) entice your goal demographic efficiently?
I don’t technically take into account anybody “competitors”, as all of us carry one thing different to the desk. However there are some others who offer full planning companies like we do. Presently, I’d say the most important subject in my space is that there are plenty of new “day-of coordinators” which can be beginning companies and undercutting the skilled planners.
We now name our “day-of coordination” service “marriage ceremony day administration” as a result of we predict it provides a greater description of the service (we don’t simply present up on the day of). One factor that we’re doing to face out is that I bought a cell bridal suite 2 years in the past. That is one thing that nobody else in CT is doing—and this can undoubtedly assist us goal extra of a luxurious market!
What do you like MOST about working within the occasion and marriage ceremony planning business?
I like assembly new folks and the way EVERY couple is different. Because of this each occasion is different. This undoubtedly retains issues fascinating—or else this job can be very boring if everybody was the identical!
What’s your favourite type of occasion and/or marriage ceremony to place collectively and why?
As a lot as we love different kinds of occasions (as a result of we imagine you must rejoice every little thing), our favourite occasions are weddings. We love—and I imply LOVE—them, and I simply adore listening to all of the proposal tales and bringing an thought to life.
When it comes to occasion styling/decor, what’s your (private) favourite fashion?
I feel kinds corresponding to rustic and boho are fashionable and thus, not all the time going to be standard. I like clear, modern appears that may be thought-about timeless. In 10 years, you don’t need to look again at your images and hate the usage of Pampas grass and mason jars.
What recommendation would you give to aspiring occasion and marriage ceremony planners who dream of beginning their very own enterprise?
Do it! There’s nothing extra satisfying than a cheerful shopper and realizing that YOU did that. Additionally, do your analysis in your space to determine the suitable pricing and community like loopy!
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Why do you’re feeling it’s essential for occasion and marriage ceremony planners to have skilled certification coaching?
Whereas I’m a giant advocate for getting your toes moist and getting the true life expertise, I really feel the certification is one thing you’ll be able to bodily present shoppers to point out them your {qualifications}.
As a QC Occasion College graduate, why would you advocate QC’s self-paced, on-line certification coaching?
The coursework was pertinent to the business and it was tremendous handy doing it on-line!
RELATED: Wish to be taught extra about QC Occasion College’s on-line certification programs? Right here’s the total listing!
Up to now, what do you take into account to be your proudest second up to now?
I feel hitting the milestone final yr of being in enterprise for 15 years was my proudest second up to now. We celebrated with a celebration (clearly). The visitor listing consisted of previous {couples}, distributors I’ve labored with, and household and mates. It was a really particular evening!
What about your favourite occasion or marriage ceremony thus far? Inform us a bit about that!
There have been SO MANY fantastic occasions over time, however I feel considered one of my favorites was proper earlier than COVID. A pair had employed us for full planning. It was each of their second weddings, however the groom had an enormous marriage ceremony the primary time, whereas the bride had a really small one. So, they compromised on a 150 individual visitor rely.
They felt they didn’t have a lot management over their first weddings, so they beautiful a lot knew precisely what they wished this time round. They simply didn’t have the time to plan and execute it themselves. It was considered one of my favorites as a result of the theme was based mostly round a track that the groom had written for the bride proper after they met, known as, “Stuff of Stars”.
In fact, he shocked her and sang it to her on the reception. The design got here collectively superbly and I liked how the theme was so private.
What’s in retailer for Pink Olive Occasions the remainder of this yr and past?
We have now a couple of issues up our sleeve! As I become older, I’m hoping to step again from the day-of duties and let my staff deal with issues. Ultimately, I’d like to run a venue. Oh, and I could have began writing a e-book… 😉
Properly we, for one, can’t wait to learn it, Carisa!
Are YOU impressed by Carisa’s story and need to begin writing your very personal? Start the following thrilling chapter of your life immediately by enrolling with QC and changing into a QC Occasion College graduate in as little as 3 to six quick months!
