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Day in the Life | Traci Lynn Hatchett
Welcome to our “Day in the Life” series! We feature wedding and event planners from around the world with many different levels of experience. If you would like to featured, download our questionnaire here and email your responses and photo to info@plannerslounge.com. We are excited to feature Traci Lynn Hatchett today!
Name: Traci Lynn Hatchett
Business Name & Location: Hatchett Event Planning & Design Group
Number of Years Working in Event Industry: 20 years in various industries
Number of Years Owning Your Event Planning Business: Less than a year
Website: www.hatchettevents.com
Twitter: @hatchettevents
What is Your Typical Day Like?
A typical day for me as lead event manager and owner of Hatchett Event Planning & Design Group is a bit unique, as I currently work a full-time job. Therefore, my attention on the business mainly happens in the wee hours of the morning (my favorite time of day), in the evenings, and on the weekends. We are a new business and are not yet at a point to where I can leave my full-time job.
A typical ‘event planning’ day for me is to start by reviewing my daily task list (which is prioritized highest to lowest, what needs to be addressed immediately); whether it be sending a marketing or industry specific tweet, updating our blog on our website or posting on our business Facebook page, I then prepare to do voice-to-voice or email communications with clients, potential clients and/or vendors as appropriate. I attempt to spend at least 15-20 minutes a day on brainstorming marketing ideas for the business. I also make it a priority to spend 30-45 minutes daily to review various magazines or websites for potential ideas for future events that will be handled by Hatchett Event Planning & Design Group.
I typically do the business book-keeping two times a week, depending on how many event activities we may have on the schedule that week. I also take time to inventory our supplies. I make it a priority to inventory at least once a week, depending on how many gift basket orders we have to fill.
One of the last items that I review and update on a daily basis is our business budget and/or the budget of the client whose event or basket order we are working on that week. It’s important for me to stay on top of that regularly, so I have made it part of my daily routine.
All of these activities occur on a “typical” day BEFORE or AFTER I have spent quality time with my family which is my husband and three children (children’s ages are 16, 12 and 7). Talk about balancing acts! However, I thoroughly enjoy every minute of my days. Event planning and design is my passion, so it’s worth every minute.
How Did You Get Started In the Industry?
I have years of experience in the industry. While my experience has not been fully dedicated to event planning; event planning has always been a part of whatever job or position I have held. Shortly after graduating college, I had a job as an office manager for a large national non-profit organization. Within that role, I was tasked with planning board meetings, volunteer outings, volunteer training, team retreats, business meetings and holiday parties as well planning for our organization’s booth we had at the state fair every year. Most all of my experience as an event planner is through my work experience. I have been blessed in that every job I have held over the years (the majority in IT project management) has allowed me opportunities to plan events on both large and small scales. In addition, these experiences have allowed me to manage budgets as well as people, both of which are major factors in the events industry.
In addition, to my professional experience, I have always had a “knack” for planning and hosting parties. I am often called upon by family and friends to assist with the planning and design of family birthday parties, reunions or weddings.
I am an active member on my church’s marketing and events team. I have always had a creative nature, so I decided a few years ago to take the plunge in starting my own business by merging my business and project management with my creative skills into one and recently launched Hatchett Event Planning & Design Group. This has been a long-term goal of mine and I am pleased that I have finally taken the steps to reach it.
Where Do You Find Design Inspiration?
My inspiration starts with the client’s wants and desires for their event. I draw on what their goal is for the end-result of the event. We thrive on creating custom ideas and designs for our clients and events. I try to design ideas of my own without utilizing other resources. However, when I do reference websites, magazines or blogs, here are a few that I will look to for inspiration.
Magazines: Southern Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, HGTV Magazine, House Beautiful
Websites: TheKnot.com, Celebrations.com, Giftbaskethelp.com, FoodNetwork.com, Youtube.com
What Are Your Favorite Online Resources for Your Business?
All are great references for our business in one way, shape or form!
Traci Lynn, 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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