We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gabrielle Roush. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gabrielle below.

Gabrielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

When I think of building a legacy, I can’t help but think of billionaires or CEOs of big, successful companies. However, the truth is, I’m just a small fish in the big pond of event planning. I have a dream of leaving behind a legacy in my children and this industry. I hope that my children will always say that I lead by example. I found my dream, set a plan in place, and worked harder than anyone around me to watch it all come together. It’s working days, nights and weekends. It’s answering emails round the clock. But it’s also finding that balance to live, enjoy life and cherish every moment with your family.

As for the industry, I hope that I am remembered for my ability to bring people together and curate not just events, but experiences for my clients and their guests. These events create memories that last a lifetime. I have worked to plan and coordinate countless weddings. Having someone’s most important day of their lives in your hands is not for the faint of heart. However, I show up, make my clients’ dreams a reality, and make sure they can enjoy their day to the fullest, knowing I am taking care of everything behind the scenes.

Although, yes, my company puts food on the table, it’s not about the dollar signs for me. It’s about being passionate in my career and utilizing the skillset that I have been blessed with, all while helping those around me.

In the words of Randy Travis, “…it’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you. It’s what you leave behind you when you go.”

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an event planner, and the owner and founder of Empire Event Design. I work to plan and/or coordinate events of all types including weddings, private and corporate events. Weddings are my most common request.

The way I got into the industry is a neat story. I planned and somehow also coordinated my own wedding, and it went very well. I was encouraged by my friends and family to start a wedding planning blog, so I did! However, the blog was very short lived because people started reaching out to me to help them plan or coordinate their weddings. One of those people was the amazingly talented and super sweet Team USA Paralympic swimmer, Jessica Long. I will never forget the day she reached out asking for me to help with her wedding. Jessica and her husband Lucas Winters are two of the kindest people you will meet. Their wedding had a beautiful boho aesthetic and took place at Glen Ellen Farm in Maryland. Not long after, Empire Event Design was born!

I have a degree in interior design, so that has helped immensely in this industry. A large part of event planning, is design and reading floor plans. I entered the industry already having that skillset.

What sets me apart from others, also happens to be one of the problems I help solve. That is the ability to create beautiful events on a budget. I come from a rather humble background. I grew up in a trailer park, my dad passed when I was young, and my mom worked the hardest she could to provide. I learned the value of a dollar at a very young age, which in turn, always forced me to be creative in finding ways to accomplish the task at hand, since we didn’t have money to throw at it. I have many clients who are working with a modest budget, and they trust me to help find them ways to create events within their budgets. I have many tips and tricks for this, ways to repurpose decor and florals, etc.

Not to sound like a broken record rags to riches story, but I am most proud of how I worked hard despite my circumstances to create the life that I have today. Had I not pushed myself, I wouldn’t own my company, and I wouldn’t be here helping my clients create the events that they will remember forever.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

As the saying goes, word of mouth is the best form of advertising. My business has thrived on word of mouth recommendations. I have always received the best feedback from my clients, and they all have been happy to refer my company to their friends and family!

I have also found that Instagram has been a big help, but not in the way I initially thought it would be! When I have asked clients how they found me, quite a few have said that they were looking at the tagged photos on their venues’ IG pages. They saw my work, loved it and reached out!

Any advice for managing a team?

I have some assistants on hand that work with me as needed. However, I view my “team” as whichever vendors I am working at any given event. Meaning, photographers, videographers, florists, DJs, bands, etc. My team is an ever changing, revolving door. However, what seems to be a “one size fits all” management style is kindness. A little bit of kindness goes a long way. Events, especially weddings in particular, can be high stress. It’s important that I remain a calm, smiling face not only for clients and guests, but behind the scenes with my fellow vendors as well. I am the one they come to ask questions, the one they need problem solving from, and the one they need to ask our clients questions mid-event. My motto is “teamwork makes the dream work,” and it couldn’t be more true in the event industry. We all help each other to ensure our clients have the best day! Kindness makes those days a whole lot easier!      

Contact Info:

• Website: www.empireeventdesign.com
• Instagram: empireeventdesignllc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empireeventdesignllc/

Image Credits
My photo was taken by my five year old daughter, River Roush. The photos with the blonde bride, Jessica Long and husband Lucas Winters is photographed by The Justin Jay. The dark and moody photos of the brunette couple is Brooke and John Curry, captured by Golden Bloom Photography. The photos of the brunette bride/auburn hair groom is Kim and Greg Horsham captured by Sweet Charms Photography.