We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laurel Fox. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laurel below.

Alright, Laurel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

Without a doubt, my hero is my grandfather. Born in Havana, Cuba, my grandpa was a successful lawyer and a professor at the Universidad de Habana. When the communist regime took over, he and my grandma lost everything. They were stripped of their professions, forced into manual servitude tending citrus fields, and driven to seek food off the black market in order to provide for themselves and their young daughter. After years of suffering, my family obtained passage on one of the very last flights out of Cuba, and they fled communism with nothing but 50 pounds of clothing to their names. When they arrived in America, no one in my family spoke English, but my grandpa got a job at a Sears Department Store moving inventory. Eventually he worked his way up to executive management of a Fortune 500 Company.

I am the direct fruit of the sacrifice that my grandpa made as he dreamed of a life where his family could flourish. Because he was willing to leave his homeland, his comforts, and everything he held dear, I live in a country that gives me the opportunity to own and run a business. I am painfully aware that I would not have this privilege had I been born under communism. Whenever times get hard or I feel discouraged, I remember how hard my grandpa worked to provide for his family, and I realize that my difficult times pale in comparison to the things he has seen and done! If he could thrive in an unfamiliar country where he didn’t even know the language, there is nothing I can’t do!

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?

One Foxy Affair is a full service wedding planning and event management firm based out of St. Charles, Missouri. We are passionate about curating classic, experiential events that maximize connection and creativity. We treasure the fact that our couples trust us to handle every detail of one of their best days ever, and our goal is to make our couples feel like the fabulous guests of honor they are!

I started One Foxy Affair in 2022 after working for some years as a trial attorney. Although I love the practice of law, the long hours were difficult for me to justify after my kids were born, and I wanted to do something different. The switch from law to wedding planning was a natural one, though, because I planned and executed events in the corporate and private sectors before I became an attorney – I even worked my way through law school at a catering company! Starting my own wedding planning company was the right choice for me, and I’m so grateful that my husband was (and is!) extremely supportive of my goals.

One Foxy Affair aims to make the wedding planning process effortless and – dare I say it? – even fun for our couples. We manage all design, logistical, and procedural elements of wedding planning so that our couples only need to make final selections and attend the wedding as VIP guests. Don’t know how your tables should look? We will prepare multiple options unique to your event. No clue who your photographer should be? We’ve got an established and reliable vendor network. Have no idea how to set or manage your wedding budget? We’ve got spreadsheets, experience, and connections and aren’t shy about keeping you on track.

On wedding day, One Foxy Affair brings its full service team on site to execute carefully vetted logistical plans. Each team member has been carefully selected to join One Foxy Affair so that our couples can rest assured knowing that a seasoned team of industry professionals is dedicated to bringing their designs to life!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

1. Be an excellent communicator. I get it; we are all busy, but please do everything in your power to respond to folks within 24 hours – even if all you can manage is “I’ve got ‘x’ going on, but I’ll respond by ‘x’ date.” Absolutely nothing is more frustrating than being ghosted or waiting 2 weeks for a simple reply. I have made it a priority to provide timely communication to existing clients, prospective clients, and fellow vendors – even if it is an evening or weekend. Being accessible has helped solidify my brand as trustworthy and reliable.

2. Be excellent at your craft. No matter what product or service you provide, strive to be the best you can be. I do not cut corners with my brand, and I will expend immense effort to ensure services will be provided as seamlessly as possible during the planning process and on wedding day. If it takes me 5 days to press and fold napkins, I will spend every second of those 5 days ensuring those napkins look as perfect as possible. By going the extra mile, my clients know that I respect their investment, and that engenders trust.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

1. Do not do business without a contract. Contracts are like a good friend – they ensure everyone is on the same page in terms of goals, expectations, and compensation. Do not try to operate your small business without them!

2. Show your appreciation. While it is important to set and maintain standards for your team, do not forget to show them that you genuinely appreciate what they do for you! I make a point of thanking individual team members for a job well done in real time, and I specifically take the time to call out excellent work during team debriefs. No one likes to feel like a number, and no one enjoys working hard for someone who doesn’t acknowledge them. Make sure your team members feel seen.

3. Reach for the stars. People are drawn to dreamers and to those who aspire to greatness. When a leader shows authentic enthusiasm for “stretch” goals, it motivates the team to walk the extra mile. Don’t be afraid to dream big.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.onefoxyaffair.com
• Instagram: @onefoxyaffair
• Facebook: /onefoxyaffair
• Other: Threads: @onefoxyaffair

Image Credits
Mitchell Bennett Photography