We recently connected with Donna Bliss and have shared our conversation below.
Donna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
My great job with a corporate communications company came to an end as they were going out of business. With a young child at home I did not know my next steps. My husband said, “Start an event planning company!” With his help I structured Bliss Event Concepts and had clients within a few weeks.
Being able to spend more time with my kid was a joy, and building a company keep me challenged and on my toes. One of my first projects was a huge event on an estate in Barrington for 500 guests. We brought in talent like Frankie Valli, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, the Spinners and Drifter’s. I have never been so tired in my life, all the events were a huge success.
Bliss Event Concepts was launched and has been running for over 30 years. I have also blossomed into Development work for non-profits and love doing good in the world. My art career is also a major part of my life, that also brings me joy.
Donna, 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?
Bliss Event Concepts was born 30 years ago when I was downsized when the corporate communications agency I was with was going out of business. Clients started calling me, my husband helped create a logo, and we were off. The mission was to use creativity and efficiency in equal measure to give my clients the best event experience possible.
The recession was very hard on my business, my next move was the Event Director for the Zhou B Art Center. For the next 8 years I built up their event business and put the art center on the map. At the same time, several artists there urged me to to get back into my own work. Art became a secondary obsession that continues to grow.
An incredible sculptor/instructor gave me the basics to move into sculpture, that is what I have been doing the last 15 years. In the Fall of 2024 I was invited to exhibit my “Marching for Liberty” in Fountain Street Church for Art Prize in Grand Rapids . MI. That was a great honor and an exciting experience.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The covid epidemic was a travesty that affected us all. As we were all confined to our homes my saving grace was my art. I finally had the time to really focus in on my work and started a series of woman warriors, several of those have already sold. “Marching for Liberty ” is at Art Prize in GR, and I’m starting on a new series of “Joyful Warriors”, perfect for today. We truly joy love and joy in our lives, art can do that for us all.
Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?
My art work has been in many shows, always with the hope that someone will fall in love and buy a piece. That has happened in a few instances, and it’s very gratifying. Perhaps my most memorable sale was totally unexpected. My husband and I are devoted cat rescuers and have fostered cats and kittens for over 17 years, adopting out over 75 cats. A woman came to see one of our kittens to possibly adopt. When I was fetching the kitten she was transfixed with my “Marching for Peace” sculpture, and asked about it. She came upstairs with me to see where the kitten was and fell in love with one of my other pieces. She bought both of them, but did not adopt the kitten. Sweet Cassie found a good home eventually, and I was thrilled to sell my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arrbliss2.com
- Other: Now I am a consultant and my main client is Art of Giving Foundation, as the Director of Development. We use the power of the arts to change and improve lives. Our website is artofgivingfoundation.com.
Image Credits
Linda Dove, David Gista.