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Day in the Life | Saundra Hadley
Welcome to our “Day in the Life” series! We feature wedding and event planners from across the country with many different levels of experience. If you would like to featured, just download our questionnaire here and email your responses and photo to info@plannerslounge.com. We are excited to feature the fabulous Saundra Hadley today!
Name: Saundra Hadley
Business Name & Location: planning…forever events in Evansville, Indiana
Number of Years Working in the Event Industry: over 11 years
Number of Years Owning Your Event Planning Business: 9 years
Website: www.planningforever.com
Blog: www.planningforever.com/blog
Business Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/planningforeverevents
Twitter: @planningforever
What is your typical day like?
I don’t have an official start time for every day. I learned to get over that being self-employed. During my first year working full-time as an entrepreneur I felt the need to be disciplined and be in my office from 8-5pm. That went out the window eight months later.
Each day is different but I am up and at ‘em early because I am a morning person. So for instance, this morning at 5am I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. I was up at 6am and I’m actually filling out this form in my pajamas while sipping my coffee.
My usual routine is to review all emails and reply (but they don’t get sent until business hours, which is 9am-6pm). I use this early time to check in on my social media: Facebook and Twitter. Then I map out the day, double checking calendar appointments etc. In addition, I make appointments or schedules for the following week.
I try to wrap up meetings if possible by 5pm. I like to fix dinner and check on my son’s homework (more like nag for him to get it done). The best way to explain my schedule as an event planner is that while there is some consistency to the work days, there is also diversity.
One thing I have worked on to help my schedule is not to reply to emails in the evening. I have a home studio, but I am not available to clients nor vendors 24/7.
How did you get started in the industry?
I started using my corporate planning skills to plan my friend’s weddings because I didn’t want to buy an ugly bridesmaid dress. Seriously. However there were a lot of YEARS before I came back to wedding/event planning.
Opening the business was a natural progression of being so absolutely miserable and unfilled at my corporate job. You know it’s time to do something else when you would cry pulling into the parking lot every single day.
Where do you find design inspiration?
I notice window displays and how businesses market their products, like Pier One. I was just at TJ Maxx in the house goods to get inspiration for a retirement party. I love Pinterest for ideas on everything, not just weddings. I actually don’t read too many wedding magazines anymore, instead I look everywhere else.
Real inspiration comes from the clients. You have to ask a lot of questions and listen to them. Because at the end of their wedding, you want their guests to leave and say, “That was SO like (name) and (name)”. That’s the most important goal for us.
What is the most unusual/challenging/difficult situation you have experienced as an event planner?
Well, I know that newbie planners will think the most challenging part of our job will be working with difficult clients. Of course you’ll have that, but with experience, you’ll learn to see the signs and not accept the job.
The most challenging part of this job is working with other vendors. You know clients will go along their merry way after they say “I Do” and you may not ever see them again. But you’ll have to work with that caterer next weekend, or next month or next year.
I continually find it surprising how some vendors like to make it difficult, won’t be a team player or will be extra challenging on event day. It just doesn’t have to be that hard. Learn how to deal with these situations and you’ll go far.
What are your favorite online resources for your business?
For sales: www.saundrahadley.com for sales tips. It’s something I do on the side to help event professionals.
For social media info: www.thinksplendid.com. Liene does a great job at explaining social media and more.
For inspiration: www.prestonbailey.com. I actually did not think I would like this blog. No offense to Preston, I just figured it would be a self-promotion type of deal. However Preston is giving out some great business tips. At least, I hope it’s Preston blogging …. or more like dictating his thoughts to an assistant as he lounges around in all his fabulousness. Either way, a great read at times.
Saundra, thank you so much for taking the time to share your story and and a day in your life. If you are an event planner and would like to be featured, download our questionnaire today and email it to us along with a photo.
A complete set of templates, checklists, and tools for professional wedding planners.
Business
Wedding Planning
Marketing
Day in the Life
Self Development
Friday Favorites
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Sounds something like me. I had done a lot of marketing and promotional events for malls and shopping centers in my early days, ended up in property management, but got to the point I dreaded every morning. I’d been doing weddings for brides at our church as well as for friends, and I finally said, what in the world…this is what I love! And I just took the plunge! I know I’ll have to work at it, but I already have a lot of really good vendors that I know from a wedding group I’m in, so that won’t be my biggest challenge. Just going up against those other established planners, but what the heck! I’m gonna do it! Thanks so much for your story!
Thank you for sharing your experience Deborah and best of luck with your business!
Great post…I agree w/Vendors being one of the most difficult part. I just started so of course I’m trying to build my vendor list and sometimes, it takes forever for them to get back with me if I need an answer, especially when there’s a rush on it.
Great piece.
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. Thanks for being part of our community here!
I love Saundra and her insights. She always has great tips and advice to share and definitely hope I get to listen to her speak again.
I totally agree. Saundra is awesome. Thanks for the comment Brit!
Thank you so much for the feature!!!! It was an honor!
Thank you Saundra! You are truly an inspiration.
Saundra, I like your advice about getting along with all the vendors who play for the same team. It’s a good reminder to us all. I know I regret when I’ve been guilty of not being on my best behavior!
Thank you for the comment Michele!