We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ciara Ruffin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ciara below.
Alright, Ciara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?
I will first start by saying that scaling a business does not happen overnight. I started my business in the middle of the Covid 19 pandemic, so it was even more challenging since so many others in the same industry were also starting businesses. It became evident that I had to differentiate my business and quickly. As the owner, growing my business required stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing challenges. I invested my own money to ensure the business had the foundation it needed to thrive, obtained certifications to enhance my skills, and attended conferences to stay ahead of industry trends.
I remember early on, creating custom signage to complement each event theme so that guests knew who was responsible for the event design even if I wasn’t physically in the room. I catered to every client and budget, knowing that with each event I completed, my design and execution skills would improve. While this strategy was beneficial from a marketing standpoint, I was burning myself out. I am passionate about understanding customer needs, not just to bring their vision to life, but to create experiences that will be memorable even after their event has concluded. I knew what I was capable of, so I focused on ensuring that the level of service offered was met with clients that also found value in.
From managing every detail to building strong relationships and continually refining our offerings, each step demanded focus, resilience, and a vision for the future. Those efforts not only strengthened the business but are still my driving force for creating meaningful experiences for my clients.
Ciara, 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?
My name is Ciara Ruffin, and I am the owner of Amore Decor Event Planning. As a certified wedding planner and event designer, I bring an elevated level of expertise to not only weddings but events of all kinds.
I got into this industry after developing a passion for creating experiences for my daughter’s birthday celebrations. I always wanted her parties to have a special touch, with many moving parts. Even sleepovers with friends turned into spa parties! For one of her birthdays in particular, I planned a paint party, but a couple of weeks before the event, we were placed on shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we couldn’t meet in person, I had a “plan”! I created custom tote bags to include the names of all guests and filled them with Among Us themed character canvas boards that I drew myself.
The tote was also filled with chip bags, water bottles, Capri Suns, Rice Krispies treats all customized to match the theme, as well as the materials needed for what turned into a virtual celebration. I delivered the totes to each party guest and on the day of my daughters birthday celebration we had more fun than we could have imagined. Artwork was showcased, gifts were opened, and treats were consumed. The pandemic inspired me to continue creating experiences for clients who also wanted to celebrate in a safe yet creative way. I have planned and executed drive-through birthday celebrations, baby showers and more. With my ability to improvise and pivot during unexpected circumstances, I found myself creating solutions for all of my partygoers.
Fast forward 3 years to February 2024, when I planned my daughter’s Golden Sneaker Ball. Her favorite foods were catered, custom desserts were displayed and the plate settings, draped walls and enlarged photos of her around the room set the tone for the celebration. It was truly a night to remember!
I take great pride not only in providing beautiful decor for those I love but also in the trust so many people place in me and my team to design and bring their special moments and milestones to life. Through this journey, I’ve been fortunate to connect and build relationships with wonderful individuals, all while using the gifts God has given me. I’m also proud to collaborate with a team of amazing vendors who elevate my clients’ experiences even more. But what I’m most proud of is my dedicated team. They show up time and time again to help bring the overall vision to life. It’s the hard work and commitment of the team that truly make it all possible.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I later created business profiles on Facebook and Instagram, sharing photos from each event to gain traction. It seemed to be working, but I wasn’t attracting clients who were ready to elevate their experiences or willing to invest in the level of service I was prepared to provide. This led to the creation of my website and the presenting of professional/high-quality images of my work. I put myself in the shoes of a potential client, considering what kind of experience I would want when securing a vendor for my special day. It became clear that I needed to offer them the quality of service that I expected.
Once I created my website, started to build the right connections, and began showcasing professional photos of myself and my work, the clients came!
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best sources of new clients for me include referrals, vendor partnerships, and my website. I take pride in delivering a level of service that encourages both clients and event attendees to think of Amore Decor Event Planning for their future event design and planning needs, as well as when referring others.
My website has been my primary source for receiving and booking new clients. It is crucial for potential clients to find us, especially if they are not directly connected to anyone in my network. While my website is my main source, I still keep social media platforms updated, as people enjoy seeing fresh visuals and want to know that we are consistently delivering great work!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.
amoredecorevents.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ amoredecorevents/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ amoredecoreventplanning/
Image Credits
Nico Church Photography
The Bennetts Photo