“One of the hardest things to do in one’s career life is transitioning from the corporate world to becoming an entrepreneur.”

Episode 154

with Brandee Gaar and Jessica Brown

Key highlights from the show:

• Guest Host, Jessica Brown’s introduction; how she began her business Balloons by F&F
• Brandee’s life before Blush
• Brandee’s husband’s duties in Blush behind the scenes
• Tips to look for in an interview to hire team-members
• Spoilers for next year’s Wedding Pro CEO Summit

In this episode, Jessica Brown is the Host of the Wedding Pro CEO Podcast! Jessica is the CEO of Balloons by F&F a ballon business, creating balloon installations, bouquets, and event pieces.

We talked about my wedding and event planning business brand Blush, how I transitioned from the cooperate world to become an entrepreneur, the birth of Blush, what I’ve been through so far and the future plans.  

Brandee’s life before Blush

I was a corporate event planner for the Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando. My goaI was to stay at Gaylord until I was the general manager. At that point, have a family, and have a successful career. After my first daughter, I decided that time with her was more important than a corporate goal.

I would shortly thereafter resign from the Gaylord Palms Resort, became a freelance event planner, and simultaneously a stay-at-home mom as I began to build my business. In a nutshell that’s how Blush was born. My intention was never to be a mompreneur; it was to be a business owner that is also a mother.

Advice for someone looking to bring a family member into their business

“Make sure it’s not just like an out from something else and that you both really, really want to do this. It’s going to be your business together.”

Before bringing anyone into your business, the first thing would be to make sure both of you really want it and make sure it’s not just an escape from something else. This will be your business together; it can’t be one person’s business that another can participate in.

Both parties should really decide what their roles would be as soon as possible. Decide what they’re going to take off of your plate, train them the way you currently do it, but let them elevate it, let that person really run with that role.

Pro tip! If you do not even know where to begin, find a business coach that can ask the questions you need answers to. DM me on Instagram or find out more about my business coaching HERE.

Advice to Wedding Pros for success and longevity

“I want to work with the best of the best, the vendors and businesses that always have my back.”

In the wedding business, you learn the most about your vendor partners in-person, on the day of the event. As a wedding and event planner or pro, you want people who know how to anticipate and resolve issues that come up. Having partners in the industry that love win-win relationships for all involved are vendor partners worth referring.

Being a great partner means that you also anticipate the needs of your vendor partners. I would recommend visiting local venues, understanding their needs, and offering suggestions couples are looking for. Share your wisdom and experience and learn more about your partners. When you have people that love working with you, like genuinely love working with you, they’re going to say amazing things about you when you’re not in the room, they’re selling for you! You want to work with the best of the best; that will always have your back.

Tips to look for in an interview

“I really want somebody who’s hungry to learn! I want them to want to be in this industry!”

Personally, I look for personality. I really don’t care a lot and prefer them not to have a lot of experience. I want to teach them my way, but also because I really want somebody who’s hungry to learn and has a desire be in this industry.

It’s a hard industry to be in; you either love it or hate it. It’s such a customer service-driven industry, and customer service is my number one driver of all things. So you need somebody who understands that and cares so much that they will do whatever they need to to get the job done.

If you already have a team, even if it’s a small team, think about how their personality fits into your team. If you are a solopreneur consider how your personalities will blend together. Don’t hire somebody you feel will battle you at every turn or that maybe just isn’t a great fit for your team; they must fit within your team.

Every time you’re hiring, remember that you’re looking for your next family member, and you want somebody you want to talk to daily that will have your back and will step in if you need something.

To conclude, consider the growth potential in a team-member, their ability to be a team player, and most importantly, a person who wants to be in the industry.

Want more of this?

Say hello to our guest host, Jessica Brown over at Balloons by F&F

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