Photo Courtesy of Catie Ronquillo
We have been sharing Soul Stories on the website. These are the stories of our entrepreneurial journey… the story of when our soul was on fire with passion for our business. So excited to share Sage Wedding Pros partner, Kelly Simants‘s story with all of you! TA-DA!
Kelly Simants’ Story from the Soul…
My entrepreneurial journey has not always been in the wedding industry…it began when I was 13 years old and in middle school. Yes, those awkward years of blue tortoise shell glasses, big bangs, and braces! That didn’t stop me from creating my own company named “Funky Fashions” where I made and sold scrunchies and jewelry (plastic jewelry baked in the oven, no less) to small boutiques and holiday bizarres. I worked on this business for hours on end, and just loved producing products and watching them sell. I would visit the boutique that carried my products every chance that I could to see what inventory had sold. The entrepreneurial itch had only just begun!
Transition to college at the University of Washington, and I took an Entrepreneur course where our Professor asked us to select a business that we wanted to write a Business Plan on. Immediately, I knew that I wanted to focus my plan on owning a Wedding and Event Planning business. After researching the industry and role of a Wedding Planner in depth, I walked away with a solid business plan that I knew would be feasible – someday….if I had the guts to take the risk.
In the meantime, I graduated and pursued my career in Business/Human Resources which was what I majored in (and what I knew would be a safe career). Not soon after I graduated, I was at church and saw an ad in the bulletin that they were hiring for a part-time Wedding Coordinator. I applied, thinking it was a shot in the dark, and before I knew it I was coordinating up to 3 weddings and receptions a weekend at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle. This was a great way for me to learn all about the day-of components of planning a wedding. After a year and a half at that church and with countless weddings under my belt, I had the itch to branch out on my own. Another girlfriend and I started a company together and produced weddings and events for friends and family…and then all of a sudden word-of-mouth started to kick in and we found ourselves super busy without doing any advertising. We did this for several years and it was a great way for me to network with vendors, establish myself in the industry, and decide if I really wanted to pursue wedding planning as a career before I quit my full-time job.
While I was planning events on the side, I was still working in corporate America and enjoying a wonderful career in Human Resources at Starbucks Coffee Company. I had a stable income, great benefits, fun co-workers, and challenging role in a leadership position. It was everything I had gone to school for, everything I had ever wanted…except for one thing. It was not what I TRULY was passionate about. After a long period of soul searching, I talked to my Dad who is also an Entrepreneur, and he asked me this question which I will never ever forget: “If you could do anything and knew you wouldn’t fail – and that success was the only outcome…what would you do?” The answer was easy and immediate for me – I said, “Wedding Planning, of course!” His response back was, “So then, what is holding you back?”
I thought about that long and hard and the only thing holding me back was FEAR. I was afraid of doing something risky, leaving a great career, and terrified that I would fall on my face. After countless hours of discussion with my husband, we both decided that if I started this business then what’s the worst thing that could happen? I would fall on my face and go back to my career in HR. Once I realized that was the worst possible outcome, the answer was clear – I HAD to quit my job and launch this company! There was no other option. So I dusted off my Business Plan, quit my job, and hit the pavement drumming up business and networking like crazy. The fire in my soul had been lit, and I have never looked back! Thus, the beginning of Sweet Pea Events!
What’s your Story??? Share it with us before Monday, September 28th at noon… exciting prizes for one lucky winner!
by Kelly Simants
show hide 2 comments