Welcome to our Planner Profiles! Planner Profiles share inspiration and insight from Planner’s Lounge coaching and mentoring clients. Today we are thrilled to feature Connecticut wedding planner Jennifer Tansley from Soirees and Revelry!

Tell us how you got started in event planning

I actually started planning after my own wedding, which is cliche to say, but true! My background is in fashion merchandising and design, and while I loved the creativity in my career in fashion, it was lacking in personal connections. My two favorite things in life are creating and helping people, and I was looking for a career that would combine both.

After planning my wedding, I realized that I loved every aspect of it – from juggling 12 vendors, to designing the centerpieces, to organizing my timeline. I felt so much peace and joy on my wedding day. I wanted to bring that to other couples on one of the most important celebrations in their life together.

Once I decided I wanted to start planning weddings, it felt a little overwhelming. I was applying for jobs at event planning companies when my wedding photographer approached me with a friend who was getting married and needed a wedding day coordinator. So I thought, ok maybe I’ll start my own business for now. She didn’t have a big budget, and I actually ended up helping with a lot of the planning along the way, which was great practice. That first wedding ended up being published which propelled my business forward. I stopped applying for jobs and worked on starting a wedding planning business. It has been wonderful to create a business that fits my vision, as well as a career that works while having a family.

What successes have you had in your business in the last six months?

The last 6 months have been absolutely incredible. I launched a new website, attended my first retreat, Inspired Retreat, and booked so many new weddings. I increased my pricing to charge what I’m worth, and I actually fully booked my 2018 season already. It’s been amazing, and I feel I owe some of that to my mentoring through Planner’s Lounge.

How has the Planner’s Lounge Mentoring Program helped you and your business?

I seriously might be one of Debbie’s biggest fans. Hiring her for mentoring sessions has been the best business decision I’ve made to date. Not only did I gain so much knowledge, but she helped me with my confidence. Putting myself out there has always been difficult for me, but she helped me see the value I bring to the table and encouraged me to grow.

There were also some areas of my business that I felt unsure of how to navigate, mostly since I had never worked for another planner before. But with her coaching and the resources she sent over, I was able to streamline my business processes and get more systems in place. This led to tremendous growth in 2017, that I honestly don’t think I would have seen without her guidance. In addition to the Planner’s Lounge mentoring sessions, I’ve used the Wedding Planner’s Toolbox, as well as the Complete Wedding Budget Guide. Everything has been so helpful in the way I operate my business.

Tell us about you! What do you love to do outside of your work?

I run my planning business part-time at the moment and spend the rest of my time with our two-year-old son Logan. When I’m not responding to emails or chasing an energetic toddler, I love to read. Magazines have always been a guilty pleasure.

I grew up immersed in art and ballet, and both are still a big part of my life. My husband and I love wine, and it is on our bucket list to visit all the major wine regions in the world. So far we have been to Napa several times, the Finger Lakes, and Tuscany, Italy. I love to travel, which has slowed since having our son, but I hope to head overseas again soon.

I’ve been known to hoard party supplies and it is a dream to have a party supply component of my business one day. I love a good themed party (plus I need to use all those party supplies), and it is a 2018 goal to have more celebrations at home. First up will be a Galentine’s Day brunch celebrating all the ladies I love.

Where can we find you online?

Website: www.soireesandrevelry.com

Business Facebook page: Soirees and Revelry

Instagram: @soireesandrevelry

Are ready to take your event planning business to the next level? Do you need help getting systems in place for your planning business? Do you need professional guidance on pricing and service offerings? Do you need an effective marketing strategy in place? Are you stuck in a rut with your business and aren’t sure what to do next? Our one-on-one coaching and mentoring programs offer professional expertise to guide you through these tasks and so much more. Learn more today!

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