We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christiana T Powell – Webb. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christiana T below.

Christiana T, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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?

A servant’s heart seeks to love others as Christ loved us. When the sun sets on my time here on earth it is my hope that I will be remembered for my servitude and compassion. In a time that exalts vanity, power and personal gain it’s easy to have a superficial mentality. Each event booked with my business I think to myself “I get to help make this day special for them.” Our mission is Colossians 3:23 that states that whatever you do, do it with all your heart as if you are working for the Lord.

Everyone deserves a moment where they feel just as valued as God created them to be. Through my gift I am able to honor others in a celebratory manner. Life is full of milestones and it’s imperative that we enjoy them while we can. Love on folks. Celebrate all your wins both big and small. Gather with friends and family. Tomorrow is truly not promised. My love for people is why I do what I do. From that day to this one I have designed countless of celebratory events with honor to help create memories that last forever. My legacy may not be millions, but what it will be is far more valuable than any currency and that’s my love for people.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

From a stay-at-home mother to business owner is my story. Like many other mothers across the nation, I took to my hobbies to bring in some extra change. Crafty and innovative, I began making pinatas. I advertised to family and friends on Facebook, and like that I was booked. When I started out, I charged $20 per pinata, making little to no money with days of skill and work. Like most Facebook businesses, it quickly came to an end. However, my desire to craft and provide a service to celebratory events only grew. My mother who was a baker and myself decide to go into business together. She would bake, and I would decorate. We named our new baby “Gifted Hands”. giving accreditation to God for blessing us with this gift. Together we collaborated and helped our clients make lasting memories.

2020 Coronavirus struck all businesses those big and small. Less bookings, less gatherings so effectively less events. With aspirations of her own my mother relocated to Florida to build her personal and business goals. Gifted Hands quickly ceased. I felt as if I could not do it without her. Happy for her new transition in life but the reality was I depended on her and without her it just didn’t seem right.

I rejected events and small bookings focusing only on my family and returning to school to finish my associate degree, until a familiar face asked me to decorate a retirement celebration for her captain. With over 15 years dedicated to the local Sheriff’s department my client wanted to express her gratitude through a celebration. I was honored to be a part of something so much bigger than myself that I could not deny the task. From decorations, throne chair, to personalized memorabilia she wanted him to leave in style and that he did. Being the humble guy that he was not used to the spotlight. His family both near and far attended his retirement celebration. He expressed feeling honored and proud of the impact he made on his county. It was heartwarming to honor this man of integrity and servitude. A few short months later he passed away from a fierce medical condition. One of the lasting memories that his family has is his retirement celebration. Photos that remind them of their father, brother, captain and friends’ legacy.

I delighted in what I was able to bring to fruition and decided that I would give the business another try. I began to share photos and market some of my mother and I previous works. A booking came through that tested my capability and challenged me. A 30th birthday bash with 175 guests. At that time the largest gathering I ever served was only 50 guests and it took me 2 hours to do that. How could I set up for nearly 200 guests? How much should I charge? Who would help me? My husband assured me that I was the woman for the job. I remember the pressure I felt to execute a unique setup. Nights of crying because I felt I had taken on too much, too soon. One night while assembling centerpieces I just stopped and ask God to lead my hands to create something unique and just as lavish as my client. When I resumed work, it just came to me. My client was a stylist gentleman who was so kind and self-less, he wanted his birthday to be a night to remember.

Event day came swiftly. The venue was huge, having both upstairs and downstairs. Having previously conversated with the venue coordinator she seen that I was a small business still in the start-up phase. She knew that my staff only consisted of my husband, my grandmother and myself. She gracefully allotted us the day prior and the morning of to setup. My husband and I worked tirelessly running up and down stairs, covering chairs, blowing balloons, and designing the place to be a showstopper. My grandmother assisted the second day with final touches. When my client final stunted down the gold carpet, we had laid for him I saw just how confident and happy he was. Family laughed, danced and celebrated his birthday. He expressed great gratitude to me and my team for our work however, he didn’t know just how grateful I was.

What that 30th birthday bash taught me was to be confident in God’s ability in me to create success. My business journey has been more of a spiritual journey than a financial one. The same worth that God allows me to see in others is also instilled in me. The feeling of imposter syndrome as if it was by luck that I’m running a successful business haunts me. Despite my accomplishments and success, I still get nervous and anxious at all my events. It is important to me to make sure that my clients feel like they can trust me to bring their personality and vision to reality.

The flamboyancy of the 30th birthday party opened doors that had me booked the entire year! My hardworking grandmother and my supportive husband seen my vision and stood by my side the entire time. Early morning setups, late night breakdowns, my anxiety attacks, and to top it off no pay.

Business was booked however, we made little to no money.
After inventory, tools, cost to transport and rent items to create memorable events we did not make any profit. Numerous events my husband and I would exceed the paid price. We wanted our clients to feel like every penny was well spent and also wanted potential clients to see what we were capable of doing. Serving an underserved community that is unaware of the industry standards and value was also a challenge. Stemming from my poverty-stricken upbringing I knew first-hand what it was like to want nice things but not be able to afford them.

I began to train under other professionals who have seniority over me. Educating myself on the industry standards and guidelines. I had to revamp if I wanted the business to succeed. My prices increased to reflect the materials, time and value of the services we provide. I legalized my side hustle into an official business. During the rebirth I also changed the name to The Vision- Events Plus. This brand rooted from Habkkuk 2:2, write the vision, make it plain to read. My clients come to me with a vision in which God enables me to bring to fruition. From small piñata beginnings to now designing and catering mass events. These gifted hands have a vision! My love for people, food and honoring others is our brand.

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

One lesson I had to unlearn was to not base my success on followers and shares, In a world where your value equates to your social media presence, I found myself discouraged and frustrated. The revelation that popularity does not equate success took me a while to learn. “When will I blow up and go viral” was one of the thoughts that haunted me. Restless night, early mornings trying to figure out what it takes to “take off”. The realization that I do not need a million followers, only the right ones. Shifting my marketing to meet my targeted audience so that the right clients see my work.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

As a follower of Christ one of the books that have guided me through difficult situations and low seasons is the Bible. As a believer its oftentimes difficult to operate a business. Parables of the bible provide insight to real life scenario.

Contact Info:

• Website: the-vision-events-plus.square.site
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVisionNCEvents/

Image Credits
Michael Jones, Andrew Knight, OP Productions