We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Beth Potozniak a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Beth, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
I think throughout everyone’s professional careers you face some unexpected hardships or problems and its all about your attitude and how you handle the situation. Throughout my career as a manager and event professional I’ve experienced a number of problems from last minute surprises that come along with planning and programming events to decisions being made from your superiors and you having to be the “fixer.” In a recent situation I’ve experienced not being included in important conversations that directly impact and effect my job and it has created a loss of partnerships and support on a number of programming events. It has certainly been frustrating but I’ve tried to remind myself that there is always a lesson to be learned. While you may feel like other people’s actions reflect you, that isn’t always true. This particular lesson taught me that while I feel I’ve been good at communicating I need to do a better job of advocating and standing up for myself and letting people know when they are in the wrong. When you feel like something is ethically wrong but don’t speak on it, you’re in a way supporting the decision and that is not cool. So, I’ve learned know matter how scared or fearful I may be I need to speak up and stand up for what I believe in. I’ve also learned throughout the years specifically to event planning you can be as prepared as you want to be but there will always be something that pops up last minute or someone that you can’t please, it’s important to recognize those mishaps but to not dwell on them. As a successful career driven woman I still find it hard at times to have a seat at the table during particular moments. While we may be better than we were 10, 15, 20 years ago, we still have a good way to go. During those times when I feel like my voice isn’t being heard during a meeting or I’m not even included in a conversation I remind myself to speak up, make that suggestion or ask that question, sometimes being silent hurts you. We all have standards, and we are all capable of reaching those standards we just have to believe enough in ourselves to know we’re enough.
Beth , 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?
Let me take a minute to introduce myself, my name is Beth and I have so, so much love for this city of Buffalo, NY that I get to call home. Each day I get to meet amazing, talented people who own and operate beautiful businesses or are leading the way to make this area a better place. Whether it is the history, beautiful architecture, the culture, art, sports, festivals, events or the food, there is something for almost everyone. Through my Just a Blonde in Buffalo blog (celebrating my 10 year anniversary this year), I highlight the great work of individuals and how they are helping keep Buffalo thriving into this resurgence. I cover a variety of topics from food, sports and fashion to fitness, events, and people. All with one goal and that is to highlight how much Western New York has going on. The hidden gems that make this region thrive and the passion the community invests in this area, only motivate me to want to do more, give back more and make a mark in the place that I call home. If I can encourage and teach a person something new, even if it’s just one, to follow their heart and not give up on them self, than this is all worth it.
My background is in events, programming, operations, project management and marketing. I began my career interning at a radio station in the promotions department. From there I learned about my love for events and since then I’ve worked in for-profit and non-profit businesses working with our local minor league baseball team to managing and building our waterfront to my current position working for a local theatre organization that brings in touring Broadway productions and more to our area. My true passion is giving back to the community, meeting new people, traveling, experiencing new things and sharing those stories and ‘adventures’ with you.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A few years ago, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic I found myself in a position where I didn’t know what my next step was going to be in my personal and professional life. Being a planner, I always have an agenda, even on the days when I try to do nothing at all I still have some sort of plan. At this particular time in my life, I was faced not knowing if I wanted to continue down the same road of staying in the same career field or doing something different. It made me have to pause and not have a plan. I was terrified at first, not knowing what I was going to do or what I wanted to do was scary, but after taking some time, I told myself I don’t have to figure it out all at once, it wasn’t easy I’ll tell ya that, but it was necessary. When I reached that moment, I took some time to find what truly made me happy and brought me joy and I started to connect my energy to those people, activities and hobbies that made me feel like I had a purpose. There are still times especially now after the pandemic that I found myself checking in to make sure what I’m doing gives me purpose and joy, there are times when it’s not and I have to re-center myself and get back to that place but I wouldn’t have been able to recognize these moments without going through what I had to a few years back. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason even if you don’t understand it in the moment and I think at that time in my life it was a way for me being told I need to re-shift my energy and take care of me
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I think what helps build your reputation within your market is your integrity, honesty, and kindness. When I interview someone for my blog or collaborate with a business or person its because I have a genuine interest in getting to know that person and sharing their story and supporting their business or initiative. Honesty also goes along way in my opinion, I would never lie or put something out there that I don’t believe in or trust, and I think over time you gain trust and credibility by staying consistent and true to who you are and what you’re putting out to the public.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justablondeinbuffalo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bybuffalob/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustABlondeInBuffalo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-potozniak-751a7025/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/byBuffaloB
- Other: My IG handle for my blog: https://www.instagram.com/justablondeinbuffalo/