We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daris Gibbons. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daris below.

Daris, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

After many years of producing events in my rural Arizona community, I came up with the idea of building an event space that filled the gaps left by available locations. I always had trouble finding a large enough area that didn’t cost an arm and a leg, had things like catering kitchens, and the ability to serve alcohol without having to obtain a Special Event Liquor License. Most locations had multiple hoops to jump through to host an event. Cities and towns had multi-level and multi-departmental paperwork that needed to be filed, along with detailed requirements that had to be met before approval was granted.

Given the variety of events I wanted to produce, I was constantly looking for places that had adequate parking and could accommodate on-site camping for vendors at our outdoor events, while also aligning with our non-profit’s mission and budget.

My vision became a community cultural & events center. This has sent me down many paths and through many evolutions of my plan. I participated in a “Shark Tank” style training & competition program where the trainers kept telling me that my dream would not work. Many locals, including those who would benefit most from the facility, expressed disbelief in my ability to build such a place. For years, everywhere I turned, I was met with opposition and a subtle message of, “Who are you to be able to do this? You are not enough to accomplish this.”

Class after class at my own expense to learn about fundraising, grant writing, business plan writing & doing research non-stop. All while not earning a dime for my efforts, and actually investing our household income in continuing to pursue my vision of helping my local community.

To say that I’ve considered throwing in the towel and just going to work for someone else more times than I can remember is an understatement! And I’ve worked a couple of part-time jobs now and again to make ends meet. I can honestly say that working a regular job would be a lot easier, not to mention more profitable. But my soul won’t let me! There’s a saying, “Don’t quit 5 minutes before the miracle happens,” that keeps me going. And what usually follows is some type of help.

In the last six months, I’ve found some very influential people in the right places who, after seeing my pitch deck, said, “Yes! This community needs this! Let’s make it happen!”

So, while it would be easier and require much less blood, sweat, and tears on my part, I am driven to serve my community by creating a gathering place that benefits us all.

Daris, 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?

The 2008 economic shift unexpectedly propelled me into the full-time world of event production, a path surprisingly rooted in my upbringing. My childhood was steeped in the energy of live events, thanks to my dad’s work in radio, where concerts and the bustling Ohio State Fair stage were annual fixtures. My mother, an entrepreneur in advertising and public relations, also produced select special events, and I was often right there, a behind-the-scenes helper. I loved being a go-fer, even earning the memorable title of “Little Miss Oktoberfest” for one of her clients, navigating a huge venue in tiny heels.

Years later, seeking to formalize my experience, I enrolled in the International Festivals & Events Association’s Certified Festival & Events Executive program in 2020. This intensive certification, comparable to a college bachelor’s degree in event management, typically spans five years, but I completed it in just two. This focused education equipped me to handle every facet of event production, from initial concept to final execution. For those unfamiliar, even a seemingly “simple” event involves a significant number of essential elements, such as:

Choosing a location
Putting together a budget
Filing paperwork with venues, local governing bodies, police & emergency services
Retaining security for the event
Acquiring insurance
Putting together applications for vendors, volunteers, and entertainment
Creating contracts
Creating a variety of media promotions
Setting up and using a variety of platforms for accepting payment, tracking vendor applications & ticket sales
Creating follow-up reports for all stakeholders.

There are many more steps, but these are the basics of most events, right down to your local Farmer’s Market.

Mostly, one has to have a passion for this business, and it helps to be just a little bit crazy! Something will go wrong at an event…it’s not a matter of “if” but “when.” Being prepared to roll with the punches sets me apart from local volunteer groups who “have always done it this way.”

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The dream of a vibrant community cultural and events center has taken root in my heart, a vision I’ve carried and nurtured for years. Along this journey, I’ve encountered voices of doubt, whispers suggesting it couldn’t be done, that I wasn’t “enough” to bring such a space to life. I was told it was already covered, that pursuing this unyielding passion without immediate financial return was simply unrealistic. But I’ve come to understand that when you’re forging a new path, especially in a close-knit rural community, your vision might be the first of its kind —a concept that others haven’t yet imagined.

I hold a deep belief in Divine Guidance, a conviction that has fueled profound personal growth. I’ve transformed my thinking, my approach, even the way I present myself to the world. I believe this vision wasn’t born by chance; it was gifted to me with a purpose – to serve the heart of my community and, through them, the wider world they touch. Recognizing my own learning style, I immerse myself in audiobooks, turning potential challenges like ADHD and dyslexia into opportunities for absorbing knowledge, finding inspiration, and even discovering solace when the present journey feels demanding. And so, each day, I choose to show up, to act, to trust that the path forward will reveal itself. And it is. With each step, I find growing support, a testament to the power of a clear vision and unwavering belief. This isn’t just a dream; it’s a calling, and I trust that together, we will bring it to life.

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

John C. Maxwell isn’t just an author to me; he’s a guiding voice illuminating the path of true leadership. His unwavering focus on what it means to lead authentically resonates deeply. Through each book I’ve absorbed, I’ve gained profound clarity on how to cultivate leadership qualities, not just within a formal team, but in every interaction.

His teachings on servant leadership have become a cornerstone of my engagement within our city. It’s why I don’t just participate on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors; I serve its mission and the businesses it champions. It’s why I don’t just attend local networking luncheons; I serve as a voice, connecting and empowering our business community. And most importantly, it’s how I strive to interact with my volunteers, vendors, and fellow board members. I serve them by practicing empathy, by truly listening to understand their perspectives, and by actively fostering work environments that are both enjoyable and supportive.

I’ve come to realize that leadership isn’t about the number of people who follow you through a door; it’s about the intentional act of holding that door open for others. The ultimate measure of a leader’s success isn’t their own achievements, but the growth and surpassing achievements of those they’ve guided. Just as a truly impactful teacher finds their greatest joy in seeing their students soar beyond their own heights, so too does a true leader find fulfillment in empowering others to rise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.azmayhem.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Medieval Mayhem Renaissance Faire
• Other: Foundation website: https://www.mountainofhopefoundation.org/

Image Credits

Ozzy Fudd Productions