We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Megan Lentz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Megan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)? Looking back at internships and apprenticeships can be interesting, because there is so much variety in people’s experiences – and often those experiences inform our own leadership style.
Interning and shadowing was one of the best thing I could have done for myself and my business. Learning from the pros not only opens your mind to new avenues of creativity and possibiltles, but shows you that there’s more than one way to do everything. I learned quickly that delegating was an absolute must, and bringing in employees with like minded goals was a non negotiable. Even this far into the game, I’m still working for my business mentor and watching/learning from her as she navigates challenges. You’re never too old to learn!
Megan, 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?
It’s a bit of a loaded question! I actually began my career in Agriculture, but everything shifted after I started working for a catering company to earn some extra cash. Spending a couple of years behind the scenes at events gave me a firsthand look at the power of thoughtful planning and guest experience. At the time, there weren’t many high-design weddings or dedicated planners in the market, so I found myself stepping into the industry at just the right moment. Seeing that opportunity, and realizing I had both the creative eye and operational mindset for it — led me to fully transition into events, eventually building Vida Events into a brand focused on intentional design, seamless execution, and elevated celebrations.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Early on in my journey, I had an event where I poured everything into the design, logistics, and guest experience. I knew we had created something thoughtful and elevated. Most of the feedback was glowing, but there was one particularly loud critic who simply didn’t like me. Not the work. Me. At first, it stung. When you build something from the ground up, it feels personal because it is personal.
That was the moment I truly understood: you will never be everyone’s favorite person. And if you’re in this business to people-please your way to the top, leave now. (Haha)
That experience forced me to decide who I was going to be as a business owner. I could either dilute my standards and creative instincts to make everyone comfortable, or I could stand confidently in my expertise and trust that the right clients would align with my vision.
Resilience in this industry isn’t just about managing timelines or solving last-minute problems (though we do plenty of that). It’s about developing thick skin while keeping a soft heart. It’s about staying calm when tensions run high. It’s about holding boundaries while still delivering excellence.
Over time, I realized something powerful: the more authentically I showed up, clear, decisive, and confident, the more I attracted clients who valued exactly that. Not everyone is meant to work with you, and that’s a good thing. When you stop trying to win over everyone, you create space for the people who truly trust and appreciate your leadership.
That mindset shift was a turning point. It strengthened my confidence, sharpened my voice as a brand, and ultimately made Vida Events stronger.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Managing a team and keeping morale high comes down to clarity, respect, and leading by example. Be clear about expectations so your team can operate confidently, and never ask them to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. In a fast-paced industry like events, calm leadership sets the tone, your energy trickles down. Celebrate wins, debrief honestly, and protect your culture by surrounding yourself with positive, solution-oriented people. When your team feels valued and understands the purpose behind the work, morale naturally follows.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vidaevents.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vida_events
- Facebook: www.facebok.com/vidaeventsmm
Image Credits
1. laure jacquemin
2. Angelika Johns
3. Jana Schuessler
4. Kyla Jeanette
5. Vicki Grafton
6. Micah Cook