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If you read my blog, you may remember a few posts I did some years back about parties that left big impressions on me. One was about a Party with Heart and the second was A Party with Vision. In the latter post, I commented on how one of the most rewarding aspects of owning your own business is having awesome clients. The other side of the coin, however is that having your own business means you also have employees.
Recently, I was asked by one of our large (and favorite) Event Planning Companies in SF to design a craft for an event at a Brazilian restaurant. Given the restaurant we wanted to create something that reflected Brazilian culture. It need to be fun, festive and colorful - a sort of “Carnival” feel. Our budget was slightly limited so I turned to my beloved Dollar Tree for inspiration. That’s where I spied these inexpensive “tiaras”, basically a foil headband with a cardboard back.
I love my older clients. When I say old, I’m talking about 11 and 12 years old. Why do I love them? Because at that age they have strong opinions, and always offer a challenge. They are savvy enough to use Pinterest, my frienemy, to share their ideas, but not so jaded that they can’t buy into the magical quality of twinkle lights and painted cardboard cut outs. It remains an age that is about fantasy, play, and giggling.
Nothing makes this employer happier than seeing her former employees take what they learned during their tenure and make it their own. I have always been amazed by the depth and talent of my team members. To see them take wing and fly to even greater heights just makes my heart swell with pride.
When it comes to party planning, I have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest. I love it because there are so many amazing ideas generated by it. I love it when images stimulate my or my client’s imaginations. It’s great to get a picture that illustrates what the client desires. It helps in guiding me to create the perfect event.
It can also serve to set unrealistic expectations.