We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erika Liu Wong. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erika below.
Hi Erika, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
The most significant risk I’ve taken so far was leaving a secure 9-to-5 job to follow my true passion: event planning. At the time, I was eight months pregnant with my second child and found myself dreading the prospect of returning to my job after maternity leave. I was frustrated with the rigid schedule and constant micromanagement. Despite my hard work and dedication in sales, where I was always chasing the next deal for commission, I felt I was missing out on precious family time and wanted a more flexible work-life balance. Although I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do, I knew I wanted to stop working for someone else and instead focus on my own success.
Encouraged by my husband to find my passion, I took some time to reflect and realized that I’ve always loved hosting and planning events. This insight led me to take a leap of faith and start my own event planning business at the end of 2022. I gave birth to my son in January 2023 and became a full-time mom of two. I spent the first six months of the year launching my business, growing it through referrals from friends and family. With their support, I managed to secure a variety of events. In the beginning, I accepted any client willing to give me a chance, offering comprehensive services at a very low fee to build my reputation and gain experience. As my client base expanded and I completed more events, my confidence and sense of self-worth grew significantly.
Now, as I enter my second year of business, I can confidently say that while my first year was filled with trial and error, the highs far outweighed the lows. I can genuinely feel the relief and satisfaction of my clients when they hire me to plan and execute their special occasions. I am deeply grateful for taking the risk and finding my true calling in creating memorable experiences. Each event is unique, and I know my services significantly benefit my clients both financially and emotionally. Having discovered my true purpose, I’m excited to continue helping individuals bring their events to life. The rewards have allowed me to do what I love—event planning—while spending more quality time with my family and friends. Life is too short not to celebrate, so let’s get started!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Erika Liu Wong, and I am the founder and lead event planner at Love Liu Wong Time. Established in 2022 and our current headquarter is in Glendora, CA. Initially, we served the Greater Los Angeles and San Diego areas, but as we enter our second year, I’m excited to announce our expansion into international event planning. Our first international event will be in Dubai in March 2025.
I embarked on this journey after taking a bold step—leaving my 9-to-5 job in 2022 while eight months pregnant with my second child. Frustrated with the constraints of working for someone else and striving for a better work-life balance, I launched my own event planning business and haven’t looked back since.
As a new entrepreneur and mother of two young children, I quickly learned to value both time and money. My passion for hosting and planning events often conflicted with my ability to fully enjoy them. I realized that many other busy professionals, especially parents, faced similar challenges. This insight led me to adopt a motto focused on helping clients save time and money.
At Love Liu Wong Time, we handle every detail of every special occasions, including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate events. Our all-inclusive packages allow clients to relax and enjoy their events while we manage all the logistics. From finding venues and creating invitations to hiring vendors and coordinating day-of timelines, we ensure everything runs smoothly. My team and I are present from start to finish to guarantee that everything goes according to plan, so clients can walk into their events stress-free, knowing that every detail is under control.
While anyone can plan an event, the quality of the experience often depends on the time and budget available, and the smoothness of the execution on the day itself. What many overlook is the role of an event planner in making sure everything unfolds as intended. An event planner manages all the details so that clients can enjoy their investment without worrying about the minutiae. I’ve personally experienced the challenge of wanting everything perfect and ending up hungry and exhausted after an event, unable to enjoy it.
My clients appreciate my perfectionism and attention to detail. With strong communication skills and a willingness to address challenging issues, I ensure that every client’s needs are met. I prioritize creating a memorable experience for my clients and am dedicated to realizing their vision with as much seamless execution as possible. They know they can rely on me completely to bring their event to life and make it an extraordinary experience.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
At Love Liu Wong Time, we are dedicated to being recognized for our authenticity, creativity, and inclusivity. Our goal is to distinguish ourselves from the competition by crafting unforgettable experiences that people eagerly anticipate. We believe life is too short not to celebrate, so share your wildest event dreams with us, and we’ll turn them into reality. We embrace bold ideas and take risks to ensure you enjoy a meticulously planned event without any stress. We’re excited to connect with you and transform your extraordinary concepts into spectacular events. No idea is too unconventional—let’s break away from the ordinary and create something truly unique together.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Staying true to our core values and beliefs has been crucial in building my reputation in the industry. When choosing a name for my LLC, I wanted something that would be both meaningful and distinctive among the many event planners out there. Using my last name for the company was a deliberate choice—I am proud of it and stand by it wholeheartedly. I have embraced my passion for creating memorable moments that bring people together, and I take joy in being the person who makes these events happen, providing everyone with a reason to dress up and celebrate in style.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.love-liuwong-time.com
- Instagram: @love.liuwong.time
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Love-Liu-Wong-Time/61557663987224/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLiuWongTime
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/love-liu-wong-time-glendora?osq=Love+Liu+Wong+time
Image Credits
Keturah Bishop