Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Hudes.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a woman who has combined a multitude of passions into a passion-project called life.
Everything I do has a purpose.
When I worked in the fashion world (I’m a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology), my goal was to help create a world in which women felt beautiful in their skin and got excited when they went to put an outfit on because, whether it was the colors, pattern, texture or shape, it made their smile bigger and their heart full.
When I worked with individual clients as a Health Counselor (certified from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, which was affiliated with Columbia University), my goal was to bring confidence and happiness to their world, as well as a healthier body and mind.
When I worked in management, my goal was to reduce the stress of the Founders of the companies I was working for. These experiences made me develop into a very organized, creative person who is able to manage multiple projects at once and is able to work with all types of personalities.
And all have led to being the Creative Director and Founder of Smiling Through Chaos, an event and planning company with a focus on jaw-dropping events, personalization and an enjoyable experience throughout.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had some challenges in my personal life, as well as the desire to be present in my children’s lives, which have created some additional movement in the earlier years of my career, but I truly believe that every experience helps to shape who you are and provide you with additional skills, whether to handle professional challenges, allow you to keep your peace, or make you grateful for what you have.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My love of fashion and color palettes easily translates into events, and clients are most drawn to my work because of 2 factors:
1) The Smiling Through Chaos team treats every event in a different way than so many other Planning teams around. Every single event is different from the next – no two events are alike. If we have an idea for one event, although we may use that color palette or piece again, we will do so in a completely different way, and it’s unlikely we will even do so. You are unique so your event shouldn’t be like anyone else’s because YOU aren’t like anyone else. And you deserve that.
2) Most of our color palettes are STRONG. Yes, we will plan an all white wedding, but we will add a twist into it. For example, we had a client who wanted a white and green wedding, which has been done a million times before. Since they came to us, which means they wanted something different, we proposed adding black into the mix and making the white and black a bit modern, so it paired modern with rustic, and the result caused people to walk into the space with their mouths dropped open and their eyes wide.
I am so proud that we were able to keep people excited and not stressed while planning throughout “the Vid.” It was a time of high anxiety, confusion and uncertainty, and we were able to keep them smiling and excited. Combining my background in wellness and design, as well as a team of detail-oriented, friendly go-getters, made sure of this.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I wish I knew what computer programs I needed to invest in, that I didn’t need to pay for wedding websites to be seen, and unfortunately not to just trust that people are going to do what they say they will – you need a tight contract, and you need to FOLLOW it without guilt.
Relationships are everything in this business, and your reputation is your brand. I realized this early, but I definitely gave gave gave for years before realizing that it should be mutual and that it’s OKAY to stand up for myself and my company in this regard.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.smilingthroughchaos.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smilingthroughchaos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smilingthroughchaos
- Twitter: @smilingthroughchaos
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/SmilingThroughChaos
Image Credits
Can I share spreadsheets so you can tag all vendors?