The joy of making special days and big events even more special for the attendees seems exciting right? Whether it’s birthday celebrations, weddings, anniversaries, or corporate galas, the demand for expert event vendors is soaring.
How are vendors growing their businesses around their set values and satisfying their life goals? We have been asking the most critical questions about their business journey and we are elated to share with you.
It’s has always been my passion to be in the event industry. I just loved everything about event since infant and would want to partake in everything that has to do with event.
The most important thing I did in my first year…. Registering my business and investing in my business. I never paid myself either did I spent my profits. I always invested it by buying new equipments.
How many weddings did you do during your first year? I don’t remember the exact number of weddings I did in my first year. I started working for family and friends so the charge was very small. I remember I took just Ghc 100 cedis for my first service I provided for a friend to buy the materials. I got another client that same day at the event, which I took Ghc 150 cedis. It was a small graduation ceremony.
What are you doing to get through this particularly challenging time in your business? I’m seeking to build a strong team now. I earlier built the brand around me and it affected my business relevance at the point of child bearing because I was off for awhile. My brand name was lost completely and now I had to build it from scratch.
How would you describe your favorite couples to work with and is there something you seem to connect with them over? Them knowing exactly what they want, and willing to pay for the value they want.
What do you know now that you wish you did when you started? Pricing and Marketing.
I have always loved weddings than any other ceremony, seeing the guests and couples enjoying healthy and delicious food on their special day, brings a lot of comfort and joy to me as a caterer.
How would you describe your favorite couples to work with and is there something you seem to connect with them over? My favorite couples are the ones who truly understood the value and importance of my work in making their event special and memorable. They know what they want and are prepared to pay for your services on time. #JJ2022 have being my favorite couples so far. It was very easy and beautiful to work with them. I had four different referral jobs from them after their wedding and also catered for their child’s naming ceremony.
How many weddings did you do during your first year? I actually started doing weddings in 2020 after the lockdown. I had seven couples booked their weddings, from August to December, all the events were beautiful and successful. At that time I was charging a minimum of Ghc 20 cedis per head for a wedding buffet, affordable for all.
Tell us about a pivotal moment you have had in the last year. What was the impact it had on your and your business? I had a client who called and ordered four different foods with accompaniment for only ten heads. This client actually detailed all that she wanted and how it should be done and presented. Although the order was small, I quickly worked on the order and delivered it myself on time so I can meet her in person. She received her order, enjoyed it with her friends in my presence and was so grateful and happy. I later got to know, my new customer happened to be an event planner, so that was a test of my passion, service and commitment to my work. I have worked with her on four events successfully and others are pending. In-fact we are work partners now.
The most important investment I have made in my business is… Getting the necessary supplies and equipments to work with effectively and efficiently to the customer’s satisfaction.
Once you’ve reached a goal, how do you decide what goals to set next? When you are passionate about what you do, one achieved goal is a step towards the next expected success. You don’t stop, you keep going.
Specifically during my own wedding, I did a lot of search till I got a one stop shop; a wedding planner and a decorator who took charge of the whole program. Then generally I realized that it was a struggle for lots of to-be-couples to find a bouquet of vendors even in a single category like bridal wardrobe consisting of gowns, bridal wear, bridesmaids wear and many more. I then decided to start a one stop shop for couples in the clothing category.
Looking back, what was the most important thing you did in your first year that ended up setting you up for success? And, what has been the thing that has helped you level up since? I separated my business funds from my personal funds. And I treated friends as business partners when they patronized me.
How many weddings did you do during your first year? Over 10 weddings. Some patronized only bridesmaids fabrics, others did laces for special people and others did gown fabrics. The prices differ.
Tell us about a pivotal moment you have had in the last year. What was the impact it had on your and your business? Well last year, I had a lot of things on my plate so I drifted from business a little. It slowed business and lost some customers.
What is your favorite part of working with your clients during the planning process? On the wedding day? Seeing them wear the fabric they buy or assisting them with the gown/dress.
What are you doing to get through this particularly challenging time in your business? Am putting some structures in place to keep the business going. Delegating some task to some experts to assist. And also more of a succession plan to run the business.