We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lisa Brooks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lisa below.
Alright, Lisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
Success is largely subjective in every sense of the word. Its meaning, both individually and collectively has changed throughout generations and will ever continue to evolve. Personally defining what it means to you, is the core foundation on which the act of being successful can firmly stand and thrive. Perseverance, faith, patience and having a solid reputation are the tenants of success that guide my compass. Success is not linear, nor is it a sprint, but a marathon.
Truth be told, I never quite knew exactly what I wanted to be, but rather who I wanted to be. I desired to be a person whose presence leaves spaces, conversations, people and the world at large, better off than how I found it. After graduating from college with a degree in Psychology, I struggled to find a job in my field that was both intrinsically fulfilling and paid well. Between going on interviews that went nowhere and endlessly submitting my resume into the dark abyss, I was beyond frustrated and my patience was being tested. Did I not follow the path that we were all told – go to college, get a degree and then journey out into the world and “be successful”? Although I wanted to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector and eventually run my own organization, it definitely did not feel like it was pursuing me. I was very disheartened that the path to success was evading me at every turn.
Chasing success or the notion of it is exhausting. It’s like being on a hamster wheel that you can never get off of. When I learned to bloom where I was planted and let my gifts make room for me, everything changed! There is a quote that I love that says “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.” While I was trying my hardest to spread my wings and fly out of my current job as the hostess at a celebrity owned restaurant, I was soaring within the four walls. Because of my capability to be a “Jill of all trades,” coupled with strong leadership and interpersonal skills, I was promoted to be a manager. In due time, I was elevated to Assistant General Manager. Although I loved my staff, the guests and running such a notable establishment, I wanted more creative freedom and expression. The restaurant was looking to increase sales by booking events and I wanted in. I not only rose to the occasion, but named myself the Director of Special Events. It wasn’t my first rodeo, as I oversaw the bookings prior, but I really wanted to excel and pour into my new baby.
And I did just that! My new clients ranged from radio, television, corporate, Broadway, music, literary and nonprofit. We often hosted event marketing collaboration events, which I would design and spearhead. At the time I didn’t realize it, but I was experiencing my first taste of success. I was in my mid-twenties, at the top of my game and working with heavy honchos, both famous and infamous. I had the honor of ringing the Nasdaq Bell alongside the company owners, as well as being featured in interviews on television. Although free Broadway tickets, invitations to fancy luncheons and swag bags were great, the thank you letters and words of affirmation celebrating my talent and skills, were the real currency. Betting on myself and having faith in myself and God, opened so many doors for me. It was a prime example of why beg for a seat, when you can build your own table. Blossom where you are celebrated!
After five years with the company, I made the hard decision to resign. My goal was to grow, expand my scope and break more glass ceilings. Unfortunately, an unexpected life detour greeted me not long after my departure, which lasted a little over two years. Although I had stood on a mountain of no’s throughout the years, I finally received a yes. I was hired as an event planner at a catering and event planning company and was able to hone my skills in planning, building, and designing events in raw spaces, from the ground up. It was also my first introduction to working with engaged couples, which were our primary clients. The job was very rewarding, but after two and an half years, it left me feeling unfulfilled in many ways. I was now in my early thirties and examining life through a different lens. I had lost my father to cancer nearly 10 months prior to starting the job. And truth be told, I was still grieving. You never get over it, you just simply learn to live with it. His death reminded me that life is too short to be unhappy. Again, I wanted more. My soul craved freedom, creativity, independence, joy, and a leap of faith!
The poem by Eric Hanson reads: “There is freedom waiting for you, On the breezes of the sky, And you ask “What if I fall?” Oh but my darling, What if you fly?” I decided to pursue the road to entrepreneurship, one week before I was unexpectedly let go from my job. Looking back, it was complete divine intervention. Once I gave God my yes and my former co-worker’s sister my yes to plan her wedding, my wings were given to me after I leapt. The timing of everything affirmed that I made the right decision and was in perfect alignment.
Transitioning to working for myself was easier than I could have ever imagined. Because I built solid relationships with various venues and vendors that I worked in throughout the years, I was placed on their preferred vendor list. It wasn’t something that I asked for, but they graciously supported me in my new venture. It made it that much easier to receive client referrals, and to maintain and strengthen the connections that I had already built. A great reputation and worth ethic go a very long way in this business. It was truly my saving grace.
As I embark on celebrating nine years of being an entrepreneur in a week, I am grateful for the journey, lessons and blessings along the way. Having made it this far is an achievement worth celebrating. What I know for sure is that choosing to bloom and shine, whether in season or out of season, is the key to longevity. It’s also how I am currently defining success!
Lisa, 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?
I like to refer to myself as “The Joy Dealer” – I am a free spirit, a creative, an empath, social light, problem solver and lover of humans. My current business is a direct extension and reflection of who I am.
While in college, studying as a Psychology major, I began working in the food & beverage service industry. The restaurant that I sought to work for, had an impeccable reputation that precedes itself. It was featured in a couple of my favorite movies and was known for having incredible food, live music, beautiful people and classic New York vibes. Its location was situated in the epicenter of Manhattan’s arts, music, dining and nightlife culture district. I knew that I wanted to be a part of their legacy and was determined to work there. When I was hired as a hostess, I had no idea that this job would plant the seed that would one day change the trajectory of my life.
Although I was 19 and the youngest person to work there, I was wise and mature beyond my years. Because I displayed strong leadership and communication skills, the owners encouraged me to not only do my job, but also empowered me to treat the restaurant as if it was my own. If you see a need, meet it. It was my first taste of internal fulfillment – being who I was, as I was, resonated with people. Even though my heart was committed to one day working in the field of Psychology, it was also evidently clear that I was capable, adept and naturally skilled in the work that I was doing. I could concurrently divide my attention and care where/when needed, without missing a beat. Very early on, I was made aware that my God-given gifts will make room for me, and that nothing that I had acquired would go to waste. Even though I was technically supposed to be planted “behind a podium” waiting to greet people, I got a glimpse of the life that I could possibly have. Perhaps the world was my oyster after all, and one day I could be my own boss.
What I once deemed as simply a “season” in my life, developed into a passion, talent, masterclass and career that now spans over twenty years. After working in various sectors of events and hospitality, I was finally ready to actualize the vision that I had thirteen years prior. And in 2016, my dream came into fruition.
Events by Mona Lisa is a boutique event planning company that specializes in weddings, events and brand activations – you dream it, we plan and design it! Our people/purpose centered approach derives from a genuine interest in getting to know who you are, coupled with a desire to bring your vision to life. Going above and beyond, exceeding your wildest expectations is the standard and not an option. Every event, be it an intimate dinner for 25 guests, a pop-up shop with an imprint of 3000 people or the wedding of your wildest dreams, is designed to be an experience. From your arrival to your departure, the goal is to make you want to bottle the feeling of – “you just had to be there”!
My superpower that sets me apart from others, is that I truly have a heart for people and an understanding of people. Although I never worked in the field of Psychology, I applied all that I learned, and have used it in a practical manner, in every facet of my business. I heavily lean into the fundamentals that I was taught, as I am in a people-centered field. My current and former clients will tell you that some of our meetings often feel like therapy sessions. It’s
not because I am trying to relive my scholastic dream, but rather due to me providing a safe space for sharing. When problem-solving with clients, be it budgeting or family dynamics, I know how to really listen to what’s being spoken and unspoken. As a results-driven person, I thrive on creating solutions that not only align with your bottom line, but with your soul as well.
I am most proud of all of the beautiful relationships and trust that I have built and cultivated over the years with my clients. To be chosen to be an integral part of a client’s celebration is an honor that I do not take lightly. It moves me to tears when I read thank you letters expressing gratitude for not only for the work that I’ve done, but how I made them feel. One of the highest compliments is when clients say, “can you run my life, what will I do without you now”! To begin working together as strangers (off of blind trust might I add), to now wanting to be connected together for a lifetime, long after an event is over, is priceless!
The work that I do and what I give of myself, is a labor of love. I believe that all things are possible with proper planning and execution. It gives me great joy to create and design experiences that engage all of your senses, and make you feel something that will last a lifetime. One of my favorite Maya Angelou quotes is: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Have you ever had to pivot?
When I resigned from my position as the Director of Special Events, my initial goal was to take some time off to finally pour into launching my own nonprofit organization, before seeking new employment. Three months after leaving the job, my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. It was a shock and blow to us all. We didn’t have the greatest or closest relationship throughout the years, but there was no way that I would not be there to support him throughout his battle ahead.
Becoming an instant caretaker overnight in my late twenties, was a challenging life pivot, to say the least. Being solely responsible for every medical decision that needed to be made, driving him to and from every chemotherapy and radiation treatment (three hours roundtrip), ensuring that medication was taken and sustenance was provided, completely depleted me. As hard as it was on me, I knew that it was fives times harder for my father, who was living with this terrible disease. So no, I did not complain, but I suffered in silence.
I was beyond grateful that I had such much available time to be present for him, as well as honored that I could also be of service to him during this difficult ordeal. In all of my years, I was never a person whose job was their identity. But in the absence of being gainfully employed and rising through the ranks, coupled with my current “job title” as a caretaker, I completely lost sight of my identity. Truthfully speaking, I didn’t know who I was anymore, as the months totaled a year and time kept moving on. I went from being in the best shape of my life, to gaining over fifty pounds in seemingly no time. As I was watching him rapidly decline, a part of me was dying too. I was grieving him day after day. Some days I grieved the relationship that we never quite had and the invaluable time that could never be recouped. While most days, I mourned for my father who truly wanted to live, who I needed to live, yet his body was getting tired.
There were good days and bad ones, triumphs and full blown defeats. It was truly an emotional rollercoaster ride, that I so desperately wanted to get off of. The collective goal was for him to go through aggressive treatment to control this awful disease, and eventually have some semblance of normalcy. But who knew how long that would take for things to simmer down, if ever. The more time that passed, the greater my concern grew about my own future. Whether he lives or dies, I still had to figure out what to do next with work and my life. Questions would flood my mind, while sitting in the parking lot waiting for his treatment to be over. Would an employer even want to hire me after such a huge gap of time not working – would there be any empathy for a life disruption? Finding employment, also would mean time away from him. Was that something we could even afford and could I ever forgive myself for not being there? I was under immense stress and it was agonizing.
The seasons changed and winter was upon us once again. We had now been on this journey together for a year and a half. It was my father’s last day of receiving radiation treatment. He had gone through so many daily rounds over the course of several weeks, after chemotherapy did not prove to be beneficial. I dropped him off at his apartment and told him that I would pick him up in the morning, to take him to a doctor’s appointment for a follow up visit. The purpose of the appointment was to see if the radiation helped and to discuss next steps. As we stood on opposite sides of his front door, he thanked me for my time, kissed me on my cheek and said “we made it.’ My father died later that night.
Returning to real life after being caught up in a whirlwind that felt like an eternity, was beyond difficult. Although I had yearned to get off of the emotional rollercoaster, I surely did not want to be ejected from my seat mid air, as I had been. Over the next seven months, I heavily grieved, began the healing process, lost the weight that I had gained, recalibrated and slowly found joy again. My soul had returned to itself a different, stronger version, right in time to welcome my 30th birthday. I was hired by a company three months later.
“Pivoting is not the end of the disruption process, but the beginning of the next leg of your journey.” – Jay Samit
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
A good reputation cannot be bought, because it is something that is earned. It is a form of currency. An honorable name will take you much further than popularity ever will.
Teamwork – No Ego
Getting my start in hospitality at a young age, taught me that we are all in this together. No one person is more important than the next, because one hand literally washes the other. For example, in a restaurant, one would think that the most important person working in the kitchen is the chef. No disrespect to the chef, but without clean dishes from the person conducting the dishwasher, it is impossible for the chef to operate at their maximum, and thus unlikely for the restaurant to successfully thrive. Knowing that teamwork indeed makes the dream work, I made it my life and business practice. We are indeed better and stronger as a collective. Although I do not overstep the boundaries of others, I always avail myself to help and step up when and where the need arises. No responsibility or duty is too great or beneath me. Yes, I respectfully have boundaries. But by the same token, I will always be down to do what needs to be done, in order to move the ship along to keep it from sinking. No one wins, unless everyone wins!
Strong Character/Adaptability
As an event planner, it is my job and responsibility to oversee and ensure that all things are working together seamlessly. It is not uncommon to have hiccups, or to run into issues that require critical thinking and problem-solving, at a moment’s notice. Sometimes I am working under extreme pressure. And as we know, that is how the most flawless diamonds are refined. Another one of my superpowers is that I am highly skilled at remaining calm in the midst of adversity, and not letting things break me. How the wind blows does not affect or sway my character. Be it an unexpected crisis, a pivot to Plan B, or dealing with disgruntled people, my goal is to efficiently find the best solution to the problem. This is an attribute that has strengthened my reputation in this industry. Things will happen, but it is how you respond and adapt to them, that will set you apart from the rest.
Dancing To the Beat Of My Own Drum
One of the greatest compliments that I have received from a venue/vendor (also guests and clients alike), is that I am the best event planner that they’ve ever worked with and their personal favorite. Mind you, this is coming from seasoned veterans who have worked with the “cream of the crop” throughout their careers. And yet, for me to still stand out above the rest in their eyes, is the highest honor. Every skilled event planner has their own way of doing things. Some are very by the book, while others create their own meticulous model of decorum. Both are tried and true methods of success.
As for me, I choose to dance to the beat of my own drum and authentically be myself! I am a professional, but I’m also a real person. This makes me very relatable, likeable and well respected within my market. I have a reputation for being a woman about her business – a stickler for precision, meticulous details and the overall experience of every single person in the room. And yet in the same breath, I also know how to let my hair down, have fun, and empower those in my orbit to do the same. Shining your light, gives people permission to shine their own. Joy is infectious, it can shift the atmosphere. And as a self proclaimed “Joy Dealer,” I leave a trail of it wherever I go!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eventsbyml.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventsbyml/
Image Credits
David Perlman
Joshua Dwain
Randy Lange
Robert Carlo