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

Leesa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

My love for designing started when I was in high school and wanted to pursue a career in graphic design. To take an idea from its most basic concept and have the ability to visualize a final product that encompasses all of the elements you want to deliver inside of that design, is one of my passions. The creativity you tap into, watching one idea evolve into more ideas that spark another idea is the drive behind my passion.

For 22 years I worked in an organization that has allowed me to utilize those skills and passion to plan events for associates as well as the communities along with managing customer relations. Four years ago, I decided I wanted to branch off and start my own design and planning business. My love for weddings, being able to curate events that meet and exceed my clients expectations is my primary focus. To be a part of such momentous occasions as weddings, anniversaries & birthdays, and to help create great memories for my clients is my driving force and why I started Simple Elegance Events & Rentals. I wanted to give clients the ability to make their dreams/vision a reality and not break the bank.

At first I didn’t know if this new journey would be a success. You are taking a leap of faith for what you believe in and what you have a passion for and hope that the risk pays off. I also believed that proper planning, not over extending myself and taking one step at a time to build this business was the smart and cautious approach to building a great foundation for Simple Elegance Events. Four years later, we continue to build, have brought on interns and have built some great relationships with vendors and clients along the way.

Leesa, 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?

My name is Leesa and who I am is pretty simple. I am a mother, I am a daughter and I am a business owner. I grew up in Florida and California and relocated to North Carolina 24 years ago. I didn’t know then if I would stay here, but I quickly fell in love with the charm of North Carolina and have watched it grow over the years. I have always had a passion for creating and planning events and my passion for people shows in my desire to please my clients.

At Simple Elegance Events we have a very straight forward approach in how we go to business. Our guiding principles and core values is how we operate in every aspect of what we do.

1. Client Focused- a very simple yet impactful approach to making sure our clients have what they need and we are delivering on their expectations.
2. Teamwork – We can only succeed as a team, therefore working together and developing each other is how we achieve success.
3. Creativity – All ideas are welcome, we grow through bouncing ideas off of each other, therefore we foster an environment where everyone’s ideas are welcomed.
4. Honesty – We operate not only with our clients but each other putting Honesty in the forefront of what we do daily.
5. Care- The heart of our business, caring for our team and caring for our clients.

When I first started Simple Elegance Events, I wanted to provide clients the ability to bring their dreams to life. Knowing that not every event is the same, not everyone’s circumstances are the same, I wanted to be able to customize our services and tailor them to each individual without sacrificing quality.

We offer wedding planning packages from Design to Day of Coordination, Partial and Full Planning Packages as well as Rentals such as specialty décor items. For the bride that is on a budget to the most elaborate of events, we have all of your décor needs from centerpieces to lounge areas, barn doors and sweetheart tables.

What am I most proud of? The relationships we have built and maintained with our current and past clients of course! When you are a part of such an important day such as a wedding, you become their confidant, their best friend and sounding board along the way. Our clients turn into friends and family and we have maintained relationships long after the wedding day is over. :That is a true testimonial of the level and quality of service we provide to our clients.

Any advice for managing a team?

I have never been a big believer in the word manager or managing, they are very task oriented words vs. people oriented. I would like to think of myself as a leader, someone who gains the trust of their team and develops and leads them to become leaders themselves. My goal is to develop future leaders, folks who have the same passion for developing others and passion for what they do. Over the years I believe this mindset is what helps and maintains high morale within your team. Something as simple as being approachable, listening, sharing ideas and most of all thanking your team is important in keeping a high morale. These elements make people feel valued and feeling valued is what keeps people wanting to make you proud and striving to deliver excellence.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

What is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist/designer, seeing the final product. When you meet with some clients they have an idea of what they want. You sit down with your client and they have all of these ideas and thoughts racing through their minds of what they want their day to look like. You start with their seedling, you watch it grow over the months and then the day comes. You take all of the time and hard work you and your team have put into this event, and then you walk the final product. When that bride comes to you at the end of the night with a smile on her face, a glow in her eyes and says, “Thank you, everything was beautiful and what I dreamed of”, that is our reward.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.simpleeleganceeventsonline.com
• Instagram: Simple.Elegance.Events.NC
• Facebook: https://www.faceook.com/simpleeleganceeventsnc
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/fhp3xv4ACtb

Image Credits
Amanda Kay Photography Louis Samara