It was such a nice fall day today in DC. A little chilly but nice and cozy when we stepped into the Line Hotel to record with Vanessa Young.

Vanessa is an in demand event planner in Washington, D.C. with Little Black Book Concierge.

Vanessa shared some funny stories about working in the industry and some insights about starting and running a successful business.

Vanessa is such a thoughtful person, she brought US gifts, 2 bags of yummy candy popcorn from The Capital Candy Jar. You can catch up with Vanessa on her Insta.

SHOW NOTES

Sara, CEO of District Bliss and Photos from the Harty, Clou in action and Vanessa

How long have you been in business?

6+ years

What areas do you serve?

Mainly the DMV but we go wherever our clients are.

Why did you decide to start your own business?

I have always been Type A or Type Triple-A according to my family. I was the one planning vacations, birthday parties, etc. One of my younger sisters got married 7 years ago and I helped with much of the planning. After that, I had a few family and friends reach out for help. I soon realized that I had a talent for planning and a nack for details. I got certified at George Washington University for event management and never looked back!

What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?

The coolest thing about owning a business is watching it grow and seeing how people respond. For instance, a few years ago, I worked really hard to figure out my branding. What was it that I wanted my company to inspire. Then when asking people why they choose to work with us and hearing them repeat back what the intention was behind the brand strategy is absolutely amazing!

Do you have a favorite story to share?

My favorite story actually comes from earlier in my career. I was recommended to a couple by a fellow wedding professional. It was an inter-faith wedding in Baltimore with over 300 people. The bride was extremely sure about hiring coordination help for the day. The groom was not convinced. We talked through the benefits and the areas I could provide more support for them. The bride's wishes won out but the groom negotiated my pricing down. Fast-forward to the wedding reception. Towards the end of the night, the groom comes up to me and says that I must think he's such a jerk. He said that he didn't realize just how much they needed me. And in addition to a tip, he would pay the difference between what they paid and my original asking price.

What challenges have you had to overcome?

As an entrepreneur you wear so many hats. One day I was telling a client that they hired me because I have the skill set to do what they could do but better. I realized that there were parts of my business that others could help me with and do a better job. I’m still learning this but there are things like keeping the books and managing social media that I can outsource to better skilled resources so I can focus on the core.

What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?

Spend some time thinking about your ideal client. Not just from a money or aesthetic perspective. But how you connect with them. One thing I’ve learned the hard way is that in the wedding business you spend a lot of emotional energy. There is a lot of emotion and anxiety that you are helping your couples manage. Make sure your clients are people you can work with at their best and worst.

What's the craziest thing you've seen happen at a wedding?

I had a wedding a couple of years ago where I had a guest come up to me to ask for some help. This is not unusual guests ask for lots of things ranging from questions about the schedule to needing a safety pin. This particular gentlemen asked me if there was any place that he and his lady could be alone...preferable some place with a lock. I told him that I didn’t think I could help him with that request. He responded that he thought my job was to make sure that everyone had a good time. I told him that is within reason. He counted that he would only need 5 mins. I then glanced over at the women with him and said “I hope you enjoy the rest of your night.”

What podcasts are you listening to at the moment?

We are Alive and Limetown.

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S1 E7 | Wedding Pro: Vanessa Young, Little Black Book Concierge