Looking for creative suggestions

[CareyJo]

I'm 56, so I've been around the block a while... I know what my skill set is, what my passions are and what I'm good at.  But they are all different things and they don't really meld together well.  I love to write but I'm not a creative writer, so fiction is out for me, but I KNOW that there is a book in my soul.

What do event planning, artistically creative, holiday decorating enthusiast, lover of Christmas, florist, photographer and seamstress all have in common?

I've sewn professionally for 37 years.  Custom designed wedding gowns are my specialty.  Don't want to do that anymore.

Not a certified florist but I have done lots of events, including weddings and teach classes.  As I'm already full time self-employed, I don't want to work for someone else.  Not to mention, it takes away the fun.

Also not a professional photographer but photography has been a passion for me for over four decades.  Not interested in becoming professional.  It's a tough market.

My dream for 10 years has been to open an event planning business but there are several obstacles in my way.  Location, no ability to hire help and a limited schedule.  So I've decided on starting the decorating component that I was going to add to that business, just to be doing something I love, but this isn't the real solution.

There's got to be an avenue that I haven't thought of, something I'm missing that ties all of my skills together in a way that would be profitable.

Any thoughtful and honest suggestions would be much appreciated!

[Helen]

Hello @CareyJo! This is a great topic, and I think ruling out what you don't want to do is a great start. I'm adding in some other folks from the group -- @Smellthis1919 @Jencasper1015 do you have any tips to share or any resources that might be useful?

[tranguyen]

I feel you there @CareyJo! 

I've always been interested in writing and photography but I also do not want professional responsibility to take away the fun I derive from these activities. 

What I have been doing is taking small steps and doing occassional freelance works. None of these are profitable quite yet but they provide additional income to my day job. For example, I did some photography work for an architecture festivel in the city: it was only three days, I had fun taking photos and walking all over the city, and got paid for it. The odd jobs here and there help make it manageable and allow me the time to evaluate what I actually enjoy doing and can sustain in the long term. 

There are also some great advices from folks in the Artists & Makers Group who have successfully turned their passion into a business. You can read them all here! If you have a moment, I'd recommend sharing this question in the group too as you might get some more suggestions there! 

[BofBArtStudio]

You could maybe start a mobile event planning service.  Maybe get a van or a truck with a trailer for tables and chairs and decor and such.  When it comes to the labor part of setting up these events you can then get help from gig worker sites.   I have used gig worker sites to hire people for one day events and other things.

You could start out with small events as your marketing yourself. 

Maybe potentially add a photography package to your event offerings.

I feel like this kind of business doesn't necessarily need the overhead of a location and employees at least not at first. 

You could always expand into a location and employees later.

[CareyJo]

We don't have services like that available in MT unfortunately... that would be a cool service for hire.  The only thing we have close is a moving company that will come and help do a one time move of something really large from one place to another in your home or office but they don't do set up and tear down.

I'm not worried at all about having an office space, I've been an event planner for decades... it's getting/finding someone who thinks like me and can work like me intuitively without babysitting them or doing way more training than it's worth.

I've thought about adding photography BUT we have so many locals that do it for a living and it would make it difficult for me to get my other jobs done within the event if I'm focused on catching the moments instead.

These are all great suggestions, they just unfortunately don't fit into what I would be doing.

[MudFire_Dex]

ooooohhh @CareyJo sounds like you have 100% of the skillset for event planning - if your local area doesn't really support the service or hiring how do you feel about online consulting? what if you host ideas and services online/via Zoom for a fee? like for budget brides? sell a resource set or consulting package for folks who want to DIY? I know a huge part of the stress especially for the younger generations 😂 (from our other thread) is that they don't want to search to DIY and don't want to make calls to vendors. I am asked nearly weekly - how did you find that? what were your search terms? The kids here think I should write a "pre-Google" app that helps them. One of them tried to search to make a refrigerator pie recipe by googling 'not hot pie'.............

You could package a set of things like:
*tweaking your ideal dress - what to ask your seamstress?
*DIY bouquets, arrangements, boutonnieres...
*questions to ask your photographer from a professional 
*help them set up local venue/vendor relations

Maybe that frees up time for writing??? or since you love to write maybe blogging on the things you love about your list starts to clarify things into a consulting business?

[CareyJo]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣not hot pie.............. I'M DYING!!!!!  OMG!!!!!

My husband calls me Wif-oogle!!!!  He says I know how to find everything!!!!

I never thought about consulting.... I've thought about blogging but not for weddings and I don't know how to start, but I can find out... those are great ideas!!!  Thanks Deanna!!

Our area definitely supports event planners, especially corporate ones, I just have obstacles to surmount...

I'm going to think on this today!!!

[rjonin]

@MudFire_Dex This is good.  I'm doing some transitioning and am gonna apply this to my business!! 

[rjonin]

Hello @CareyJo 

Many many maaaany creatives are multi-passionate.  Thank you for reaching out to the community.

It's great that you've identified some areas where you may be skilled but are no longer interested in pursuing. 

I know an interior designer who's company does events + interior design because she decided that when first started out in wedding planning she wanted to be with a couple/client for the long haul. Another thing that she does is holiday decor.

So let me try to wrap it in a bow.  First, you can absolutely have an event planning company without hiring staff because many event productions are done with contracted companies but I do think the one person/position you may need is a virtual assistant. That person will wrangle contracts, do tons of followup and do whatever is necessary for you to remain organized. The cost will be worth you getting your 1st contract.  Second, you can specialize, it's your company. The specialty can literally be a seasonal event company that specializes in creating "Experiential Christmas events & holiday decor"  You can absolutely do the floral arrangements, many planners do their own flowers for smaller projects.  Holiday decor for homes, corporations and even smaller businesses.  

Write the book during the 6 months you're not planning for your busy holiday season.  

If my response only adds to the confusion, try to take a little quiet time and listen not to me or anyone else.  The answers will come to you. Yes, it may take even more time.  Just try it again, a little quiet time and listen. As long as you have tomorrow, you can launch the company. 

Lastly, even if you get a project for a 2nd grade class to do a Christmas-scape based on peanut butter & jelly, it's a start.  Just start.

I hope this helps.  

[CareyJo]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!  Fantastic suggestions!!!!!  I'm glad that you understood where I'm coming from!!!  Awesome ideas!!!  Between you and @MudFire_Dex I have a lot of ruminating to do TODAY!!!  🙂

[JessPoynter]

• Event Design Consultant: Offer your expertise to established event planners or wedding vendors. You can consult on specific design elements, themed events, or holiday décor strategies. This leverages your experience without the full planning workload.
• Holiday Décor Specialist: Partner with local businesses, restaurants, or shopping centers to design and install their holiday décor. This caters to your seasonal passion and offers a recurring revenue stream.
• Workshops for Adults: Shift your teaching focus to adults, offering workshops on sewing basics, holiday decorating crafts, or event planning on a budget. This taps into your expertise and caters to a growing market for adult learning experiences.

Embrace the Sharing Economy:

• Online Décor Rental Service: Curate a collection of unique, handmade décor elements (table runners, chair covers, centerpieces) and rent them out for events. This allows you to capitalize on your sewing skills and caters to the growing trend of event rentals.
• Peer-to-Peer Teaching Platform: Utilize online platforms like Airbnb Experiences or Skillshare to offer online workshops on sewing, themed event design, or holiday decorating tips. This allows you to reach a wider audience and leverage your teaching skills.

Consultant for Small Businesses:

• Freelance Business Growth Consultant: Use your experience running your own business to mentor or coach other small business owners. Focus on areas where you excel, like marketing, event planning, or operations management.
• Social Media Management for Small Businesses: Many small businesses struggle with social media. Offer your expertise in creating engaging content, managing accounts, and running targeted ads. This is a growing field with opportunities for experienced individuals.

Embrace Technology:

• E-commerce Shop for Handmade Décor: Sell your handcrafted décor creations (table runners, pillows, holiday ornaments) through an online shop like Etsy. This allows you to showcase your sewing skills and tap into the growing e-commerce market.
• Develop Online Courses: Expand on your "book in your soul" idea. Create in-depth online courses on themed event design, holiday décor, or even sewing techniques. This offers passive income and allows you to share your knowledge on a global scale.

[CareyJo]

That is a GREAT list of suggestions!  A couple of those being tweaked would work great, I think... need to ruminate on those and I really love the idea of combining offerings for classes... I'm good at training.  Thank you!!!!

[LeahK]

OMG @CareyJo -- I love that you started this thread! so cool to see the togetHER group coming together to give legit business ideas to help you apply your passions to work.  I read your ask, and the only thing i could think of was a micro-wedding business? it's crafts, it's event planning, its photography... the whole thing. 

That was literally the only thing i could think of (probably because i'm looking into it for my wedding lol) Can I hire you!? 🤗

side note: the suggestions shared in this thread are GREAT! @BofBArtStudio, @MudFire_Dex, @rjonin, @JessPoynter -- All of you are legit business consultants! your ideas are 🔥🔥🔥  

[CareyJo]

What state are you in?  🤣🤣🤣  Hit me up if you need suggestions!  I've singlehandedly done 4 weddings from start to finish, including the flowers and photography!

[LeahK]

I saw Boulder in your signature -- and was like WWWWHHHHHHHHHAT? and then the MT crushed my dreams. I'm in Colorado -- but Montana isn't that far 🤣

And of course you are already experienced in the wedding business -- it just makes sense! 😍

[CareyJo]

I was just in Denver for my niece's wedding last month.  I also grew up in Westminster/Broomfield area!  Moved to Phoenix when I was 10...

[DinaLRosenberg]

Thinking you can make beautiful pop-up sets for themed mini holiday shoots and then photograph them

[CareyJo]

I love photography but I'm not a professional and don't really want to go that direction, but thanks for the suggestion!

[BrianaJo]

Oooo, reading your post of talents and skills the thing that came to my mind was an event planner who specifically does Year End parties and celebrations. Whether that's calendar year or fiscal year, all sorts of people have "year end" events and Christmas parties. Don't need to be a professional photographer to have a photo booth, you just need the photographer/artistic eye to set it up. Maybe those pictures can be made into Christmas cards. The seamstress skill makes me think of those huge draping ballroom curtains and all the skirting that goes around trees, or handmade teddy bears. You can write up lovely host speeches recapping the years achievements and introducing various employees to speak or introduce the person who is presenting that business's accomplishments that year. 

[CareyJo]

Those are some creative suggestions!  Thank you!  I like the idea of year end celebrations but I could only do so many in one season.  I've also come to realize as a professional decorator that I can only do so many clients in one season.  I still have to consider myself as a client and keep my own house decorated, not to mention keep up with Festival of Trees each Christmas.  So it's a lot to think about... I'm STILL mulling all this time later...

[CareyJo]

I was reminded that I posted this - so I thought I should give an update.  I have decided to step away from doing event planning, even though it is my true passion, because I didn't start it over 10 years ago like I needed to.  I have recently learned that I do not have the stamina to do this job, even part time, and I need to let it go.  My husband and I recently renewed our wedding vows for our 25th anniversary.  That was a very tough 18 hours for my body!  We did a full wedding.  I was so exhausted that I literally didn't sit down for fear of not being able to get back up.  My body hurt so much.  And, before you ask, I can't do this job enough to build the stamina.  It can only be part time for me, and I just can't do it.  I can't afford to hire a staff to make them do the work either.  Not to mention, hiring people means you have to get the right people who not only see your vision, but understand how to bring it to fruition.

So, I've decided to start writing and hope I get published.  My husband is still pursuing his dreams of real estate investing so that he can retire our business.  I've got to have something else that I can do and writing is the perfect fit for my time and abilities.

Thank you all for such great suggestions and I hope that someone else will come across them and put them to work!