February 19, 2012

Confused but Dedicated


Hi My name is Carolyn and I am a confusion addict who likes to make things more difficult for herself!! I admit I have a problem. Sometimes I think I'm making things easier for myself but actually make things more difficult for myself and those around me. I'm sure I'm not the only one with the problem but when your head is spining with all the ideas it can sure seem like it.  I diversified the business and added more things to control when I wasn't controlling even one social network well, and then I go and make more work for myself UGH!!!  So this will be my only blog, I'm going to talk about everything here, parties, crazy happenings, frustrations, celebrations and anything else that comes to mind.  Mind you I'm not going to use it to re-post others work just to gain a few fans, if I re-post work it will be because I respect the work and the source. 

I'm a small business owner in a crappy tough economy, I have suffered setbacks, increases in taxes, insurance costs, suffered the loss of my husbands income (4 yrs. ago and the silver lining is I got the best business partner I could ask for), became the sole provider for my family,  been subjected to a influx of new event planners cutting the market value of what I do as a planner, a public who seems to think that event planning should be priced for "everyone".

Through the past few months I have toyed with the idea of leaving the party planning world and only doing Christmas decorating.  Good friends have told me not to, that this will pass and others who understand my struggles have just been supportive of me.  I have decided I WON'T stop party planning, because I AM FABULOUS at it!!  So I will bide my time until there is more balance in the party planning world.  Please note I said "party planning" not "event styling".  I am an event stylist but I am so much more than that.  I am the one who is not only interested in the look and feel of the event but in the overall running of the event. I make it my teams priority to handle each guest and their needs as if they were the client.  I make it my priority that my client thoroughly enjoys their entire event.  When I'm on site I watch everything, know everything and handle everything. I know how to set up quickly and effeciently, I know that there are no do-overs in party planning, I know what it takes to create a full well rounded event, I know how much food is needed, I know how much drinks are needed, I know how many lbs. of ice are needed, I should I have been doing it for 16+ years.

So if you are looking for a great "Event Planner" than I'm your girl and if you are following me because I twisted your arm or you have respect for me even though I don't post much then I'm your girl.

Thank you for being here and I'm just going to move forward.



12 comments:

  1. Loving this truthful blog post! I'm a new planner when compared to most BUT I truly understand the value of our service and knows that our job is much more then making things "pretty".... What have you told me? Hang in there.... the professionals will stand the test of time! Right?

    Ebony

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  2. LOL! Carolyn...this is what I'm talking about! Love the genuineness here! I too don't repost others work much...thought I was trifling for not doing it, but you're right! I only want to repost work I admire and find some inspiration in....we creatives need some creative juice sometimes and I find spots of brilliance lots of places and want to show that. Hang in there girl! know that you are NOT the only one and I for one will be following you because simply put....YOU ARE MY GIRL!

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  3. You are awesome! People like you, make others want to be better!! I have so much respect for your experience & talent! xoxo

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  4. Love your post!

    It was love at first sight when I (first) saw your work... I've always been a fan! I love what you do and you do it very well. I am so happy you made the decision to continue creating those fabulous fantasy celebrations : )

    You're absolutely right about the "party planning world" it is extremely saturated (now), but your work still stands out amongst the crowd and I can always recognize a CHS creation.

    Keep up the magnificant work and I wish your business continued success in 2012 and beyond.

    xoxo, Latisha

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  5. Have I told you lately that I love you?!? Sending big {hogs and kisses}!

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  6. Love this post Carolyn, and I agree with you, YOU are FABULOUS! Your parties and everything you do is always so elegant and beautiful. You have to stay in the party planning world, it would not be the same without you.

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  7. One of the Best Blogs ever ! Thanks for keeping it real! Keep the posts coming !
    xoxo
    D

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  8. Can I get an offering plate over here! Carolyn, you have preached today! I totally understand where you are coming from! Know that you are fabulous and I understand your frustration with the party world right now. It is one thing to style a party for an editorial shoot where you control all of the variables. Event Planning encompasses so much more! There is room enough in this world for both "Event Stylists" and "Event Planners" but somehow the public and even our industry is getting confused on the difference! My reality is I do "real" parties and not photo shoot parties. They may not always be "photo" perfect but my clients are happy their events are memorable and beautiful.
    You are someone that I highly admire and I've always loved your work. SO please never leave our industry and the passion that you have for your craft. Many blessings my friend and thanks for sharing. I've been there at times myself!

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  9. Well I admire your skills and respect you, so that's why I'm here :)

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  10. Oh Carolyn I just love you for all your honesty!!!! Great Post!!! ROCK ON!!!!

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  11. WOW I'm so honored and humbled by you ladies, your kind words mean the world to me, you don't even know. Your support and appreciation mean so much to me to know that so many of you get it. Its nice to know that I'm not the only one struggling with all the changes and where we fit in the big picture of the planning world. I love you all and know that if you are ever in the need of kind words, support or how to charge more (wink wink) I'M YDEFINITELY OUR GIRL!!! xoxoxoxo

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  12. Carolyn, I must say I've been diving from blog post to more blogs in hopes of some how coming to the essence of party planning and land here. Where I find your honesty so refreshing and I absolutely love what you stand for. I'm looking to one day have my own business doing party planning. I've been doing it for most my life but most within my family for birthdays and on a very small scale as compared to your monster business. I know you are a very busy woman but if you could give any piece of advice in starting a business in this industry what would it be?
    Sincerely... Nixie
    A new admirer of your work :)

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