We were lucky to catch up with Ivory Morgan-Burton recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ivory, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?
When starting my business, Storybook Events – I decided to market as full-service. Not just floral, decor, but everything that is needed for a successful celebration. Regardless of it being an anniversary, wedding, corporate or personal gathering. Which I first added wedding officiants, which I am one. Then a professional cake baker exclusive to Storybook Events. Things just continued to grow with adding more and more detailed services. Which includes concierge to name another one. My strategy is to fully research all details, and continue to stay on top of trends, with the thought of setting trend rather than following it. Making sure to work with other skilled professionals. I love to connect, network and definitely refer business to others.
Ivory, 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?
For me, having a business is considering how to run it effectively and efficiently. “I operate my business, Storybook Events with impeccable values, high ethics, and with client-centric, mutually symbiotic goals. My positive attitude is reflected in my core values of … Integrity – Providing complete transparency to every person.
Passion – I do not believe in “status quo.” My goals are to move forward meeting challenges, making a positive impact.
Accountability – I am personally invested in the success and achievements of others through my business.
Creativity –I take initiative on all weddings and celebrations in the full-spectrum of creativity, energy and innovation. Considering details to bring the balance of making each event eco-friendly and offering sustainability.
Honesty – I am a firm believer in quality over quantity. I have worked to build quality relationships that are supporting, encouraging and empowering to one another. Which is exactly what I intent to do when we meet.
Professionalism – Each person, couple, business I work with is my top priority. Their success is my success.
Eco-friendly, Sustainable – Protecting the environments and eliminating waste. Storybook Events is licensed, certified as a ‘green’ company.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
To manage a team, you first need to understand it is a team. Everyone has ideas, concerns and the heart to do the job well. My Storybook Events team members have been with me for years. Trust is key. Knowing and believing in their skills, abilities and letting them shine. Think about all the details they do and reward them for it. Pay is why people work, but the extras like a tank of gas, bonuses, taking them to dinner. Remembering them at Christmas, holidays, and their birthdays.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Covid, as we weren’t able to have events, I am a master tailor and I leaned into that ability with mask making for individuals and designing masks with logos and details for businesses, and it even included masks to match wedding gowns. Increased Storybook Events ‘weddings in a box’ consisting of permanent botanicals that was shipped worldwide for events. Having always done brooch bouquets and brooms with increasing those for shipping. Adding special touches of bling to items with everything shipped.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.storybookevents.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivorymorganburton/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storybookeventsnorfolk
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storybook-events/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ivorymburton
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVVOwcvIbQnZBrG6zejZ8Yg
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/ivory.morganburton https://www.pinterest.com/fulfilledwishes/