Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lindsay Parkin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lindsay, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

Yes, I love being a business owner! But I would be lying if I said it was easy, or that I don’t sometimes imagine what life would be like going back to the corporate world. I stared my career in the Wedding Industry working for a Marriott Beach Resort Hotel, and I loved my job there as well! So sometimes, the thought of going back doesn’t always sound so bad. The last time I had this thought, was when I had to decline, yet another, trip with friends. Being a business owner, means that you work nights, weekends and long hours. We miss out on personal experiences, celebrations and quality time, so that we can best serve our clients and grow our business. If you are not willing to make those sacrifices, then its definitely not for you, and that’s okay and understandable! But for me, being a business owner, means having the flexibility to work from home. I don’t answer to anyone other than my clients. I have been blessed to be able to employ friends & family members. It allows me to travel, and experience new venues, areas and cultures. Being a business owner is something that I am proud of, and wouldn’t trade for the world!

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 background and context?

Ofcourse. I’m Lindsay Parkin and I own LEP Weddings & Events. Although I was born in New Jersey, I have lived on the Treasure Coast of Florida since 2000. I graduated with High Honors from Port St. Lucie High School, and went on to Valencia College in Orlando, where I got my Associate Degree. I then went on to Florida Atlantic University where I studied Hospitality Management! After college, I got a job as the Assistant Front Office Manager at the Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort & Marina.

After leaving the venue side of weddings, and working for a private event planning company, I decided to open LEP Weddings & Events in 2020. LEP stands for my initials, Lindsay Elizabeth Parkin. I take a lot of pride in my brand and what I feel we offer & bring to the table. My goal is for all clients to have a FUN experience while planning their wedding. I want them to feel relaxed, enjoy being engaged, and have full trust in their planning team. I like to relieve stress, laugh, and keep it real with my clients.

A little bit about me personally, I am the middle child, I have two brothers. I have a very close relationship with my parents, I love to hang-out with them! For just over 11 years, I was a competitive cheerleader and loved every minute of it. Because I have such a competitive personality, I strive to be the best at everything that I do. I always love to learn, so that I can continue to grow.

Advice I like to share with all new inquiries, is to make sure when hiring your planner, you like their vibe! You spend the majority of the planning process with them, and they are your point-person on wedding day. You want to make sure they are organized, that you trust them, and most importantly, that you have FUN being around them! That’s what I like to make sure each of my clients feel.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Hire a Social Media Manager!!! So many people use Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to find vendors, you want to make sure you have a strong presence and that your posting stays consistent. When you are running your own business, it can be hard to find the time to create content, find pictures, use hashtags, respond to comments, and tag the appropriate people. Trust me when I tell you, having a Social Media Manager has been a lifesaver! Please feel free to contact Janie with J.F Leadership at [email protected] if you are looking for someone. She not only is my Social Media Manager, but also one of my best friends!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

My parents were my investors. They has have so much faith in me, that they loaned me the money for the initial startup of LEP, with the understanding that I would pay them back within the first year of business. I opened in February of 2020. On March 17th, 2020, Florida shut down for the Covid-19 Pandemic, canceling all events at that time. I was terrified and devastated. After all the hard work I put in, and the courage I had finally gained, we didn’t know if or when we would be allowed to gather for large events again! While at the time, this seemed like the end of the world, it gave me the opportunity to get organized, create checklists, put systems in place, and market myself. The industry learned how to adapt and throw micro-weddings, and I was fortunate enough to be located in Florida, which was one of the first states to reopen. By February 2021, I was able to secure enough deposits for 2021 & 2022 weddings, that I was able to repay my parents in full.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lepweddings.com/
• Instagram: @lepweddings_events
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lepweddingsandevents

Image Credits
Light & Airy Studios
Houghton Photography
Karla Korn Photography
Danielle Love Photography