Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erica Weiss. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Erica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

My first client after opening my own business was a local yoga instructor and her fiance. They were getting married in San Diego, and I offered to be their planner. They took me up on it, and I loved getting to coordinate and oversee their wedding. Spending a year preparing their event and getting to see it come to fruition was incredible! I’ve been planning weddings and events since.

Erica , 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?

I’m a full-service event planner, so you name it and I’ll plan it! I’ve always been detail oriented, logistics-minded, and I have a knack for listening to and understanding people. I’ve taken all these skills and launched my own events company.

My introduction to the space was when a local business owner needed help planning her wedding. I now get to work with other couples during their happiest moments. There’s an excitement and rush that comes with planning and facilitating the wedding day, which I absolutely love!

When planning an event, problems are inevitable. Sometimes they come up unexpectedly on the day of. Whether it’s a wedding day with unanticipated rain or a vendor is running late, my job is to figure it out. I’ve always been someone who loves problem solving, and I get to use that skill often in my role as a planner.

I’m most proud when seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces on their big day, or when they give me a sincere ‘thank you’ at the end of the night. Their happiness makes the countless hours of planning worthwhile!

My clients know they’re in good hands and that I have their best interests at heart. I’m a great listener, a friend, and a sounding board. I work hard, and I know how important each couples’ day is. My goal is that each client has the best day of their life!

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

My advice is treat people how you’d want to be treated. When I manage a team, I am always calm, friendly and I never raise my voice. I’m a firm believer that yelling is unnecessary. Instead, I try to teach the people under me what I’ve learned and how to do something more effectively.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

When I started out, I needed to build a client base. I thought, ‘Where is a place I can be listed that people will see me?’ I decided to publicize my services as a vendor on The Knot/Wedding Wire, and I immediately started to receive inquires, which then turned to bookings.

Once I started to get clients, referrals led to more business. I’ve been very fortunate!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ericalaurenevents.com
• Instagram: erica.lauren.events / https://www.instagram.com/erica.lauren.events/
• Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/erica-lauren-events-studio-city-ca-2057351

Image Credits
Indigo West Albany Katz Photography Color & Catchlight Lupe Juarez Photography Chernogorov Photography Genna Sandler Photography