Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Nelson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of being an entrepreneur or creative is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?
Like many business owners, I would consider the COVID-19 pandemic to be one of the craziest things that has happened to my business. As an events industry professional, the pandemic proved to be a curse and a blessing in disguise. Who knew that it would even be possible to have a calendar fully booked with events to zero events in a matter of days. Being glued to the television to make sense of the moment and fretting over money lost due to event cancellations was stressful indeed. Zoom became a new best friend introducing me to a host of industry peers and a plethora of industry education that would help my business thrive in the “new normal”. As entrepreneurs it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of running a business while pushing more important matters aside – like rest, saying “no” to minimize burnout, and committing to one’s list of to do’s.
While globally devastating, being confined to my home proved to be a time of reflection and an opportunity to reset. Business processes were fine-tuned, contracts became more robust, I learned how to be creative in the midst of supply chain issues, discovered innovative ways to execute events that kept safety at the forefront for my team and guests, built invaluable industry relationships, and learned to make family and self-care a priority.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am the founder and creative visionary behind Just For The Occasion, LLC ®, a full-service event planning and design firm based in Columbus, Ohio. A creative at heart, I have always had a passion for entertaining. I come from a family of hospitality professionals who curated everything from amazing food to fabulous celebrations. It was only natural that I follow in my family’s footsteps and thus Just For The Occasion, LLC® was born. As the firm’s planner and lead designer, I curate bespoke experiences for social gatherings, weddings, and corporate events. From stunning floral installations to creative event design to seamless event coordination and production, my team and I take care of it all. We meticulously handle the details of client events so that they can relax and fully immerse themselves in the joy of their special occasion.
What sets Just For The Occasion, LLC ® apart from others? Our unmatched attention to detail, tailored experiences, and unwavering passion for what we do. Every aspect of an event is thoughtfully curated and executed with the utmost precision. We believe that every event should be as unique as our clients and thus tailor experiences that reflect the individuality and personal style of our clients. We love what we do and go over and above to deliver in excellence to create a WOW for our clients and their guests.
I am proud to have built a company that is known for providing stellar service, limitless creativity, and a client base that continues to call upon us for their special events and refer us to others often.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
A time when I have had to pivot in my business occurred just recently. For years Just For The Occasion, LLC ® has operated as a full-service off-premises catering, planning, and design company. As a caterer, I had the honor of creating unique culinary dishes, serving dignitaries, and delighting the palettes of even the pickiest eaters.
Like many entrepreneurs, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many of us to rethink our business models and tap into skills and talents that would best serve others when the “world returned to normal”.
After returning to some sense of normalcy, a shift in my business model remained top of mind. It wasn’t until I started noticing significant changes in food prices and other barriers affecting the food industry, that I decided to assess my service offerings. While catering proved enjoyable, the cost to produce culinary works of art outweighed the joy. After careful consideration, I made the decision to remove catering as a service.
Removing a service after years of success is a painstaking task. Afterall, there’s website copy to change, a refreshing of one’s logo, and informing repeat clients that you will no longer be available to create their coveted dish or pastry, just to name a few.
While I no longer curate culinary dishes, I have the skillset to help clients navigate the menu planning process for their events and have the joy of continuously curating one-of-a kind events that honor life’s most cherished moments.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for me has been wedding and event planners. I am big on relationships. When it comes to creative partners who are the best at their craft, I hold them near and dear. When you have partners who know your style of work, the level of service that you deliver, and trust you with their clients and referrals, that is a bond that can’t be matched.
Being both a planner and floral designer, I have had the honor of serving referred clients in both capacities. If a planner is unable to service a client’s event, they know I can be trusted to flawlessly execute the event. If a planner needs florals and décor for a client’s event, they know I have the capabilities to transform an event space that will surpass their client’s expectations.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.justfortheoccasion.net
- Instagram: @jusfortheoccasion
- Facebook: @jusfortheoccasion
Image Credits
Comfort Photography Purple Star Photography Starling Studio Vision & Style Photography