We were lucky to catch up with Asia Comer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Asia, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

It’s incredible how an Idea will consume you, and once executed on, blossoms into something you never knew it could become. The idea of TampaBay Baches was thought of while blowing up balloons on a hotel room floor in Las Vegas. Talk about the unexpected!

I had hit the milestone where friends were getting engaged. Bachelorette parties, Bridal showers, and Weddings consumed my calendar. Within one year I had five Bachelorette parties on the calendar, four of which I was leading the charge to plan. Aspects of planning a Bachelorette that many underestimate: consensus on Budget, adequate space for lodging, an inclusive itinerary, gifts, decor, groceries, transportation…..the list goes on! Bachelorette parties are no longer simple trips. These parties are now full blown events with expectations to not only make the Bride feel like the queen she is but to also make it memorable for the guests and of course……it must be social media worthy.

Being the designated “Planner” of the group comes with responsibilities and expectations to uphold. Along with that comes stress! I felt the stressors and anxiety to make each Bachelorette I was planning perfect and better than the one before. There were certain aspects that I found difficult to plan or execute simply because I did not live in that city. When I get there how much time would I have to decorate? If we can’t check-in where will I put my luggage? Where is the nearest grocery store? How am I supposed to fit everything in the suitcase?

While on that hotel floor blowing up balloons, I thought about how I had to pay extra for an earlier flight. How I had to ride share to the party store for helium balloons and to the grocery store all with my luggage in tow. I thought about how I would need to put on a happy face and not seem exhausted when our Bride walked through the door. My final thought: “I wish I could’ve hired someone to do this for me.”

I brought the idea back to Tampa Bay with zero expectations. I was in the midst of planning my own Wedding and my own Bachelorette party; this idea got pushed to the side but was always in the back of my mind. I was starting to notice the Bachelorette parties in my area while out. I started noticing people post in Facebook groups about having their Bachelorette parties in Tampa Bay. I was getting excited seeing there was in fact a market here for Bachelorette parties! I understood the stress. I understood the needs and the w

Asia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a Project Manager in the Pharmaceutical industry by day and an Event Planner always! My career ties into the Planner that I am; I absolutely love my full time job. However, you can always expand on your passion! My small business, TampaBay Baches, is your one stop shop for all things Planning for Bachelorette Parties, Girls Trips, Birthdays and Bridal Showers! Our goal is to take care of the stressors of planning an event so you can enjoy it! Our most popular service is Decor. Walk into your event with all the balloons blown up, table settings placed, and banner quotes hung up! Many of our Bachelorette clients are coming in from out of town; they’re unsure of where to go and what to do while here in Tampa Bay. This makes Itinerary Planning another sought after service. Rather than relying on the internet, we can point our clients in the right direction to experiences and establishments to visit while here. Lastly, our Stock the Fridge service is a hit for those clients hopping off a flight. We have their fridge and pantry fully stocked when they arrive! Are you a local having a Birthday celebration or a Bridal shower in the area? We can assist with all things decor and vendor coordinating!

I’m proud that we are a business that focuses on individuality. We are able to customize packages and make our services work for the customers needs. Some companies have set services and set ways of doing things; I understand that every person is different and their needs will be too. We’re simply here to help in any way possible. This also leads into how personable I am with clients. I want clients to know that I’ve been where they are at. I want to be their friend helping them through this process. Call, text, email, DM; I never want a client to feel afraid to ask a question and reach out for advice or guidance along the way.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Before creating this business I thought I knew the ins and outs of social media. To my surprise, I certainly did not and still learning. Social media is a power house for advertising and communicating to potential customers what you do, what you offer, and to show off your work. Businesses now have social media budgets to help advertise their services. Influencers, ads, and corporate social media departments play a huge role. I also had to learn how to post, what to post, what each post should include, etc. Social media is a science that’s constantly changing. New updates, new trends, along with the multiple social media platforms can help expand your businesses’ reach to potential clients. Having to unlearn social media and relearn as a business owner has been a challenge but yet very fun!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A business can ebb and flow. One week you’re feeling on top of the world and the next you haven’t booked a client all week. I’ve always been pretty hard on myself; comparing my business to others, self doubt, and anxiety play a huge role in that especially when first starting. Getting that first client was tough. It took a lot of energy proving that I was someone they could trust. I had to be vulnerable and accept the no’s. The no’s hurt to my core but eventually those no’s turned into yes’s. It took a simple phone conversation to relay the confidence I had in myself and my business to secure that first client. My resilience paid off. I was determined to prove to myself and others that I could make this business into something amazing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tampabaybachesplanning.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tampabay_baches/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TampaBayBaches