We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Martin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Heather thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I had worked in the events and wedding industry for almost a decade when I decided to venture into a new industry. It was 2021 and still “covid times” and the event world was still trying to get back up and moving. I wanted something with normal hours and less stress. I landed a great senior healthcare sales job and spent time with two different companies over the next 2.5 years. I learned a lot and really threw myself into a whole new industry and network of people. I still dabbled in event and wedding planning on the side over those years and I did coordination and planning for a few people and kept my foot in the door. As much as I thought I wanted a more “typical” 9-5 job, I was missing the craziness that is the event and wedding world. I do not regret taking that hiatus from the events industry as I learned that is where I’m meant to be. Although, when I decided to make the switch back, I knew I wanted to work for myself this time. I knew I wanted to use my years of experience to grow my own brand. Even though that is what I wanted, I had a tough decision to make. My passion was events and weddings, but I was at a point in the sales career where I was making more money than I ever had in an industry that is growing by the day. I was at a company where there was a lot of room for growth and opportunity. But my heart wasn’t in it. I launched 27 Social Events + Design in November 2023 and by February 2024 I left my corporate job to pursue my company full time. It was a risk… and still is. But I would not change a thing!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started in college in the fall of 2004 right after high school graduation. I went into college undeclared and was still undeclared by junior year. My advisor finally sat me down and pretty much said, it’s time. There were no more gen ed classes left to take. I still had no idea what I wanted to do. I loved my college experience, but also realize I was there because that’s just what you did after high school. After some personal digging and talks with people who knew me best and had my best interest at heart, I chose a Communication Studies major. I was told it would provide me with skills to take me in many different directions. I learned a lot in the classroom, but I was able to get a couple if internships that really helped me start to build a career. When I graduated, I moved to Nashville, TN and worked in events surrounding the music industry. Shortly after that, I came back home to Kentucky and took a job at a historic mansion and country club where I started as the Event Coordinator. I spent the next few years there and was able to continue growing with the company and in different roles. Since then, I have spent more time in coordination and planning roles as well as venue management, staffing and catering coordination. It all led me to where I am now as the Owner and Lead Planner of 27 Social Events + Design.

27 Social Events + Design offers wedding coordination, planning and design services. Other than weddings, we also offer those same services for social events (birthdays, showers, graduations, etc.) as well as corporate events. We also just launched 27 Social Wedding Pet Taxi. So many couples want their best furry friend to be a part of their big day, but it can be a logistical challenge. That’s where we come in! We offer transportation to and from the wedding venue and offer many other services to make sure the couple and their pet have the best day!

I think one thing that sets us apart is the expertise we have to the overall event experience. I think it’s really cool that myself (and other team members) have seen and worked events from various sides, not just planning and coordination. We have done venue management, catering coordination, design, bar management, serving, and so much more. All of the pieces of a successful event are so important, and I love that we can understand an event in the full scope.

I am most proud of how far we’ve come and how happy our clients have been. There is no better feeling than a good review after an event. My goal is to help you plan an unforgettable event, and when the days comes, I execute it, and you are able to just enjoy it.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Social media plays a big role in advertising because of the nature of the business, but referrals and word of mouth are our best source for new clients. With wedding planning, everyone wants to see all of the pretty photos and inspiration, so I try to be consistent with that. But, as time goes on, and as the company grows, a lot of my business is coming through referrals from past clients and people who work in the industry with me. I try to spend time cultivating relationships with other vendors who work events, like florists, venue managers, rental companies and etc.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

This is a work in progress! We want 27 Social to continue to grow not just with Events + Design but in other ventures as well. We just launched 27 Social Wedding Pet Taxi and have some other exciting things to announce in the near future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.27socialkentucky.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/27socialkentucky/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/27socialkentucky

Image Credits

Abigail E. Photo
Seriously Sabrina Photography
Shae x Jes Photography
Erin E. Photography
Conrhod Zonio