We recently connected with Melva LaJoy Legrand and have shared our conversation below.
Melva LaJoy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
2. Openness -For some people, they want one way to succeed and have one definition of what success means. What I would say is to throw that in the trash and be open to how success shows up in your life regardless of the “when.” If you don’t feel successful at 20, wonderful, maybe 25 is your time; if you don’t feel successful at 40, maybe 50 is your time. My point is that you need to be open to the reality that life is happening for you, not to you.
3. Constant learner – It is very simple. No one knows everything but the successful people I know are all constant students of growth. They all have an appetite for books, critical analysis, podcasts, etc. I think learning is always important.
4. Own Your Mess, especially the mistakes – The worst thing I think anyone can do is play the character titled “success,” it’s exhausting and ultimately you won’t keep up with it. The best thing you can do is own every single part of your success story, especially the pitfalls, because one way or another life will humble you and settle the score. When you own your mess, when you learn from your mistakes, you will learn and grow.
5. Tribe – Successful people get nowhere except depressed when they are alone. You MUST have a tribe, a safe space in your life and career where you can be your fullest self.
Melva LaJoy, 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?
Event planning and I fell in love over 20 years ago and to be honest, It has been the longest relationship of my life. Initially, I started out in corporate promotional planning/concert management and found that my true authentic space is for mission-focused organizations. I have been fortunate to create LaJoy Plans, a business designed by my values, powered by joy and with a singular focus of designing occasions for these types of organizations and individuals. I like to think that at the end of the day, we help clients convey their mission in a visually dynamic/compelling way and events are our medium.
I am proud to say that as of this interview I have just been acknowledged as the 2024 Smart Meetings Entrepreneur of the Year and a recipient of Courtney Stanley’s Women to Watch Award. Before that, I received the 2022 Events Industry Council Award for my contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion. I am beyond proud of the dynamic LaJoy Plans team, past and current and that our clients have renewed us for multiple years and we currently have a 90% client renewal rate.
When I look at the love and joy, the LaJoy of it all, my heart is full because I know our work has a tangible impact for the clients we serve.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
You know what I had to learn and still actively have to practice? Vacation. I know it may sound odd because it sounded odd to me, but the truth is that I had not had a vacation in well over a decade and while I was hyper productive, I was not ok. I did not eat well, sleep well and physically feel good, but I rationalized it that I was “booked and busy” when in reality I was bustling and on the cusp of burnout, as many of us are.
The bottom line is that vacation/mental wellness have to be a part of your business strategy or your business, or else you and your team will combust. I am proud to say that as of a few years ago, LaJoy has closed for three weeks at the end of the year. This year, I am also implementing a spring break, Juneteenth break and end of year break.
Two things can be true. I want a successful business and I need my business to work, but I also need my body to work, my mind to be healthy and my family to be intact.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Contact Info:
- Website: lajoyplans.com
- Instagram: belajoyful
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lajoy/
- Youtube: lajoyplans
Image Credits
Photos provided by: Stefan A Photography Tori Del Photography