We enjoyed the first Bailey and Blum so much that we thought we would extend it to a summer weekend in New York (August 6th-8th to be exact). I can’t tell you how exhilirated and inspired I felt after that first session with all our mentorees.
I loved that we had all different levels of folks in the industry. Some were seasoned vets looking to take their business to the next level and others were just starting out and had so many questions. Marcy and I especially felt great spending one on one time with everyone. We felt that we could help them directly and I hope we did. (You can read more about Marcy’s take on the weekend in her blog post here).
And actually, you helped me too. One of the amazing Bailey & Blum attendees, Autumn Oser, ended up working with my team this past summer as a freelancer. I would have never met her if not for the past session.
This time around, Bailey and Blum will be all that and more (do you expect anything else?) I am opening my humble apartment to entertain attendees for dinner one evening, as well as a whole list of other surprises I can’t mention. So as to not spill the secrets, let’s look back at some pictures from the previous Bailey and Blum.
For more info on the next session, visit BaileyandBlum.com. To apply for the weekend, click here. I wonder, what is the first question you would ask me if we had a one on one meeting together?
My friend Marcy and I had the most invigorating weekend with our mentoring program, Bailey and Blum. At first, we were ambitious in thinking we could have a large group of folks for the weekend. However, after some discussion and thought, we decided the most important part of the seminar was spending one on one time with each participant. Given the short timeline of two days, we decided to have a more intimate group of attendees, with a mixture of beginners and veterans (and even two people who traveled all the way from Portugal!).
We ended up with the most dynamic group of people. Not only did Marcy and I really like them, but they also really liked each other. There was a definite connection between all of us.
The luncheon table
The one question that was prevalent among all the folks was, of course, how to make money. What astounded me was how each and every person had such an incredible love and passion for this business. Since this was the case, I had no qualms in telling them probably one of the most important take-aways from the whole weekend: success is about endurance. My favorite part of the weekend was speaking to each person individually. In meeting each person and talking to them about their businesses, it was very apparent to me that endurance will come easily for these passionate folks.
It was a growth experience for me too. Each person helped remind me about my own love for the business and the desire I have to work hard (and endure) every day.
Master foodie Olivier Cheng and his Executive Chef Jenny Glasgow created an amazing lunch. They also instructed the group on the importance of great food presentation.
Needless to say, Marcy and I had a very powerful experience interacting with and teaching all the participants. One really great addition to the weekend was having Millie Bratten and Maria McBride from Brides magazine there for the whole day. It was a joy having them join us. We’re definitely looking forward to the next installment of Bailey and Blum (possibly this summer).
I also wanted to list all the attendees here in alphabetical order, and tell them once again how how wonderful it was to meet them and spend time with them this weekend:
Anne Bowen
Linda Casals
Deborah Dixon
Daphne Douge
Eric Ellen
Chrisya Enriquez
Alberta Marimba
Grace Muchiri
Autumn Oser
Jill Pocsik
Lydia Short
Claudia Teixeira
Katharine Warden
Please tell me, in one word how do you define success (and why)?
Being self-taught and having learned many lessons over the years (sometimes the hard way), sometimes I wonder how different it would have been if I had a mentor. There’s nothing wrong with figuring things out for yourself, but having a person to help guide you and teach you what they’ve learned certainly doesn’t hurt.
A picture of me from a past speaking engagement
I’m constantly getting requests for mentorship, but my schedule is so hectic that it’s hard to fulfill each individual request so I’ve thought carefully about offering a workshop. The most important aspect is how to offer a workshop that is different from the others.
I asked my good friend and great planner, Marcy Blum, to join me in the effort. We wanted to create a learning environment that would be intimate and interactive. A workshop that offered one on one lessons not just on designing events, but the nuts and bolts of the business and the different pieces involved in producing the final product.
Marcy and me
For example, one of the most essential parts of my team is having a fantastic planner on board. Yet, I often find myself trying to explain to clients the necessity of having a great and experienced planner for the job. Over the years, the line between designers, production and planners has become blurred.
Here’s a summary of the differences:
Designers: We do exactly that…we design anything and everything that has to do with visual decor: flowers, table cloths, staging, room decor, lighting, food presentation, theatrical design, table settings, etc. This, of course, is the main job I do in my company (in addition to being a kick-ass sales man).
Production: After a job is completely designed, presented to and approved by our clients, then comes the most challenging part: producing the visual design into the real world in an effective, timely and cost-conscious manner. The production process is always a ”work in progress.” As my company grows and we do jobs in America and all over the word, this becomes more difficult yet exciting.
Planning: Years ago when I first started, I tried planning myself. One day, after making 10 phone calls to organize one meeting, I realized how challenging and time consuming this job is. In my opinion, most clients do not have the slightest idea of the time, patience and detail that goes into to a planner’s job (and folks you’re not just a planner because you call yourself one–you need the experience to back up the claim). Planners do not have a specific product like flowers or dresses. What they sell is mostly their amazing organizational skills, their experience in getting the job done and wearing many, many different hats.
I’d like to thank all of you for the overwhelming interest we received when we announced BAILEY AND BLUM’S first workshop. At first I thought we’d have a class of 40, however after hearing your requests of what you’d like to learn, we thought the workshop should have more of a one on one component to it. So, because of the workshop timing (it’s just one weekend), we’d like to invite only 20 participants to the mentoring weekend.
At the moment I am overseas working, however Marcy and I we’ll be finalizing all requests this coming week when I get back. If you are interested, please send in your application in the next few days. You can find the application here.
I look forward to sharing with you secrets, stories and some of the downfalls I’ve experienced in hopes that you don’t repeat them.
Now, your turn: What is the biggest challenge you’re currently encountering in your business? Is it getting clients, determining pricing, getting publicity, etc…? Let me know and I may add it to the roster of discussion topics for Bailey and Blum.
Similar to how doctors shouldn’t treat their own family, it doesn’t work for me to plan my own parties. So, I turned to the best for help with the Celebrations launch party (and many others–Marcy and I have worked together for years).
…And just because she happens to be one of my longtime friends who makes me laugh endlessly is just extra icing on the proverbial 20 foot tall cake.
Enjoy!
PB: Let’s talk about how you became an event planner and why you wanted to embark on this career.
Marcy: When they released me from the asylum (from Preston: I could not help but laugh out loud) I decided that I needed something to do. Okay, actually I was a foodie and I went to school to be a chef and worked as a cooking teacher and all sorts of things and it evolved from there over the years.
PB: How are you different from other event planners?
Marcy: (With a little smile) I’m good at it! (from Preston: More laughter from the two of us)
PB: What was one of your most challenging events?
Marcy: Every event is challenging. The interesting thing is that it’s always a different challenge. Just when you think, “Now I know how to build a tent in the middle of outer Slobovia in the pouring rain,” the next time, it’s in a desert or everything’s fine but the client’s impossible…Life is constantly different.
PB: What’s your favorite part of the event planning process?
Marcy: You know, I hear this question all the time and the truth is most of us lie and most of the time, I lie (laughs) but really it’s the joy of the process itself, rising to the challenge yourself.
I find people endlessly fascinating–both the good parts and the bad parts. I’m just fascinated by the mystery of what makes them tick; what makes someone come in and say, “I really want something simple and elegant,” and what they think of as simple and elegant is yards and yards and yards of satin wrapped around everything…
PB: What kind of advice would you give to a client looking for an event planner?
Marcy: Oh, to hire me! Of course. (Laughs)
PB: Okay, last question. Can you share some of the surprises you have planned for my Celebrations party?
Marcy: Well…we’re going to have a lot of very enthralling, sexy and interesting things planned–both in entertainment and the guests–don’t forget the invitation said the attire is “hot.” So, I’ve been looking for something hot for several weeks, I may just bring my boyfriend…
Your parties are about surprise and they’re very sensuous. I’m usually all about the food and you throw parties that are about the vibe. So, just wait for something very unexpected.
In the video below, Marcy snuck in one last thing she wanted to say after I thought the interview was officially over and I stepped out of the room. I was touched to hear what she said. Click play to watch.
For more info on Marcy Blum or to contact her, please email: lea@marcyblum.com or visit http://marcyblum.com/.
Now it’s your turn, share one event that took you months and months to plan, and tell me…was it worth it?
As promised, we now have all the details up about the mentoring weekend Marcy Blum and I will be giving from March 5th-7th for a limited number of 40 attendees.
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