The big event is seemingly just around the corner. It’s now up to you to host fifty executives, or maybe you’ve just been engaged, and what was once the most exciting bit of news just became the most stressful event planning nightmare. We’ve all heard the stories of Mother Nature showing up uninvited, or a mother-in-law ruining an otherwise perfect moment. But maybe less familiar is the stress from countless hours of researching a DJ or choosing a caterer. And it seems as soon as you find one credible, they’re booked, or worse, they cancel. But this doesn’t have to happen. In fact, Laura Ritchie, Christie Yerks, and Brittany Hagaman of Grit & Grace set out to change all of that nearly ten years ago. Unlike most event planners, which excel in one specialty or “signature style,” Grit & Grace prides itself in its unique approach to crafting memorable events, by making them reflective of their clients. In this way, no two events are the same. The secret to incredible custom events? Playing to the strengths of a diverse trifecta. Laura, Christie, and Brittany learned early on that leveraging each other’s talents, although vastly different, allowed them to tackle monumental obstacles that arose as a result of disrupting their industry. Along the way, they refined their craft and vision, and take enormous pride in being their clients’ guide. The biggest mistakes soon-to-be hosts often make? Contacting a planner too late, underestimating the demands of a project, and not prioritizing a budget. “[Our work] is our profession. Much like hiring a realtor to purchase a home, you want to hire a professional to give you assurance, that says that you’re making the right decisions along the way and not wasting your time.” That said, Laura, Christie, and Brittany don’t take on every client seeking them out—sometimes it’s just not a good fit. To deliver extraordinary results requires extraordinary standards and relationships, not only with partners or vendors, but clients as well. Their advice to entrepreneurs starting out? Commit to action, but understand each day is a learning curve. Even if you think you’re an expert, stay humble and be open to criticism. Growth and value will follow. To learn more about Grit & Grace’s services, you can find them at http://gritandgraceinc.com/
