We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Felicia Hopkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Felicia below.
Felicia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Much of what I know now has been a combination of research, trial and error, and prior hands-on training as a Visual Merchandiser for Macy’s. Setting up displays using custom wallpaper, vinyl lettering, mannequins, and a variety of decorative props provided me with a solid foundation for my event decorating business, Eden Gifts & Events. Although I’m able to use some of my visual merchandising experience, much of this business I have been learning from tutorials and a lot of practice. Many industry veterans offer hands-on Balloon Décor, Pipe and Drape, and Event Floral classes. Since my start-up budget was limited, I focused my initial investment on equipment, supplies, and marketing materials. My strategy has been to learn as much of the basic event décor skills on my own, while serving clients and establishing my brand. After building a solid foundation, I plan to invest in classes to learn advanced skills and techniques, add value for my clients, and grow my event decorating business.
Felicia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
By day, I work to support the mission of one of the nation’s most effective animal welfare organizations, while my evenings and weekends are spent growing an online designer and fashion accessory boutique, and building a new event styling and decorating business. Since I started working for the Humane Society of the United States in 2018, it has really been my honor to grow the Tributes program by improving and streamlining the everyday tasks and processes that led to the program reaching $1M in revenue for the first time ever! I am most proud of how I have grown in my entrepreneurial journey. It began in 2008 with the start of The Collection by Eden- an online designer, fashion, and handcrafted jewelry and accessory boutique, and continues today with the addition of Eden Gifts & Events- custom gifts and event décor. I am only one year into this new venture, but it has already brought me so much joy!
When I was 10, I lost my mom. For the next 24 years, my grandmother filled those shoes for my sister and I. Together, we endured the loss of my stepfather, aunt, friend, cousin, great grandparents, and a childhood friend. The loss of my grandmother was soul-crushing… like losing my mother all over again. For years, I was lost and searching for purpose. Through a temp agency placement, I ended up landing and excelling as a Tributes Coordinator for the Humane Society of the United States. After years of helping donors comfort their loved ones at times of loss, I felt that maybe I was just built to help others cope with loss, but something was still missing. With lots of encouragement from family and friends, I stumbled into Event Styling and found that maybe I’m here to help people celebrate life! I found that my purpose is to create the backdrop for those memories that will be cherished for years to come, because memories matter, milestones matter, and living life matters! Not only am I able to help comfort the grieving, I am also able to help people celebrate life. I now live to help people celebrate those birthdays, the graduations, the engagements, the weddings, and all of those babies! I get to help people celebrate life!
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
With Eden Gifts and Events, I want to create for my clients moments that are memorable, meaningful, and magical. Essentially, I’m not selling event décor. I’m selling memories. I want to offer my clients the best of my ability, the best of my creativity, and the best of my brand. This is just my second year in the Events space, and at this moment I live and breathe event decor. My free time is spent creating the backdrops, balloon décor, and props that are constantly swirling through my mind. With every practice project, and event I become more skilled and efficient in executing the client’s vision for their event, dealing with short installation timeframes, and pivoting and adjusting designs when installations don’t go as planned.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Pricing and perceived value will always be a struggle for creatives. As a consumer, you only see the artist’s product or service and the price. In your mind, you’re weighing the quality and comparing it to other brands. Comparable popular brands are automatically perceived to be of greater value, and similar cheaply made products are perceived to be the most cost-efficient option. Creatives either have to master their craft, be an exceptionally persuasive sales person, or create designs that stand out spectacularly to compete. There is really no room for mediocrity for a creative. In our world, “you’re only as good as your last work”.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.edengiftsevents.com; www.ebay.com/str/thecollectionbyeden
- Instagram: @edengiftsandevents; @collectionbyeden
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/edengiftsandevents; www.facebook.com/collectionbyeden
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/v7N2wBGysl
- Other: Pinterest: pin.it/7Ao9igirX; pin.it/2JjxGW3R6
Image Credits
n/a