We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kim Gonzales a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kim, appreciate you joining 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.
Becoming a mother last year really changed so much for me. It completely shifted what I want my life to look like and I wasn’t expecting that. I was assuming I would go right back to work but I decided I didn’t want do the 9-5 anymore. Prior to taking this leap in event/wedding planning I was working in the corporate world with experience in marketing, events, client relations, and executive assisting. Starting March & May Events was a huge risk for me. Doing something on your own feels so vulnerable. The thoughts of “What if I fail?” or “What will people think?” run through your mind in the beginning but I truly feel like they are the best motivators. If I am afraid that I will fail I will work hard enough to where it won’t be possible. I feel like you care a lot more about something when its your own. March & May being my company makes me work harder than i thought and its been the most life giving thing for my creativity. It has also allowed me to be the boss of my own life and schedule meetings and events around my child’s schedule so I can show up how I envision for my son and be the most focused planner for my brides/clients. It’s truly been a win-win. I’m so thankful I took the leap of faith!
Kim, 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?
Kim Gonzales here! I am the owner and lead planner for March & May Events. Having planned social, corporate and weddings for work and just as a favor in the past lead me to dream this dream of having my own event planning company. The name of the company came from my affinity for Little Women by Louis May Alcott. I am not joking when I say that book has been a constant source of memories and inspiration throughout my life. The way the girls make beautiful memories using what they have is at the heart of March & May. We want to build off that and do events a little more natural, lush, and understated. Less is more in the best way possible. The event industry is such a machine in 2022 and while that is amazing for us in the event industry my desire and goal is that there is a timeless beauty in the events that I create and that at the end of it you remember the love of it all, not a production. Not everything has to be completely over the top with 30 vendors, things can still be beautiful with 7. Brides feel such a pressure to have everything and the reality is most brides can’t afford everything but that doesn’t mean it has to be any less beautiful. I also am passionate about incorporating as many thoughtful and meaningful touches throughout an event. The more intentionality the more the memories last in my opinion. Whether it’s a product launch party for a business or influencer or a wedding I make sure that the details don’t go unnoticed.
Life is short and I believe celebrating the little and big moments make life so much sweeter. Celebrations are to be enjoyed with the people you love not to be stressed about and thats why I do what I do.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Two lessons come to mind: 1- I had to unlearn the crazy notion that I didn’t have a right to certain hobbies because they were my friends “things”. The amount of hobbies I gave up because I felt like I was intruding on someones lively-hood or identity was high up there. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college where I realized I’m not doing anything that I enjoy and that I am living for other people and not for myself which was crazy. I started putting myself out there more and I’m so thankful I did. I don’t think I would have ever had the confidence to start my own business if I never learned this.
2- That you have to have everything figured-out before you start something. For years I would have different dreams or desires but would never go for them because their was so much I couldn’t figure out. That led me to not ever going after anything. This past year I just started saying to myself “I might not know but I’ll figure it out”. It has been such a game changer for me to go after things.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Becoming a mother really changed me. I had a traumatic birth/post-partum going back to the hospital several times to get everything right and you just keep digging deep for your child that needs you and depends on you. You are so exhausted but you keep showing up, you keep feeding, you keep holding until they stop crying and fall asleep. Becoming a mother felt like the beginning for so many new facets to what makes me me. I truly don’t know if I ever would have started March & May Events if it wasn’t for this journey into motherhood. It made me want to be the example for my kids to go after their dreams and that it’s never too late. I feel like I gained a confidence, strength, and calmness where I say to myself “I gave birth, this challenge I am facing is nothing”, and I am way less afraid of the unknowns.
Contact Info:
- Website: marchandmayevents.com
- Instagram: @marchandmayevents
Image Credits
Katherine Larson Photography @k.larsonphotography