We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Layonda Reason. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Layonda below.
Hi Layonda, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
Taking a risk is a big thing. I have always been a risk taker my whole life. I was the one person in my family that would be person to jump of the cliff to survive. As a business owner I am always taking risk. Starting my business back in 2020. I went on a hunt for a building for an event space because I always wanted one. I kept getting turned down and after searching for almost a year and reaching out to over 100 realtors. I finally found the space when I enter the building I was lost but I knew I can make it work. The biggest risk I took was with this build which I now love. I didn’t know what need to be fixed didn’t have no idea what the city needed from me to operate my business from this building. I just had faith it was going to work. Look at me now 4 years later with a successful event space that’s booked every week.
Layonda, 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?
My name is Layonda. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I was the only child but I was taught how to work for everything I’ve gotten from my parents. I joined the military my sophomore year of college and that taught me so much discipline and responsibility. I got into this industry based off of me just wanting more for me and my family. I was already community active because I work a full time job with the city of Philadelphia. I did some research after I got the building on how to obtain a license to have an event space which I learned that that was backwards I should’ve did my research first, but hey you live and you learn. The one thing I would want people to know about me is that you can do anything you want to if you just put your mind to it. You just have to want it for yourself and nobody can change that but you.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
What I think help me build a reputation within my community is that I’m a social butterfly and is that listening ear for the community. I spoke with server block captains from the community and have give backs to the community offer them discounted rates for renting the space.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
First starting out I would say was the hardest part. I would say this because the bills do not stop or wait for anyone. The business was really slow and I had to push it. I had about 3 months without any events so all of the bill were coming out of my pocket.
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