We were lucky to catch up with Micaela Stevenson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Micaela, appreciate you joining us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

I consider myself extremely blessed when it came to my first client. When I decided to start my business, I researched a little and got the default things-The DBA, the business bank account and the logo, etc. I hesitated on creating social media pages because I didn’t (or at least felt like) I didn’t have anything to post since I hadn’t had any clients or content yet. I talked to a few associates/ prior colleagues and was told to join some local women’s groups, business groups and networking groups. I did that right away and made a post on Instagram. It was a picture of a celebrity on a red carpet. I can’t even remember who it was LOL! The post was up no more then 4 hours and someone reached out about a red-carpet for their private movie screening. I was excited and SHOCKED. I couldn’t believe someone was interested in using me, let alone for a private movie screening! The client asked me for a price and I was so flustered. I didn’t even know what to charge, That is when I realized I didn’t do enough research! Not only did I not have pricing or a plan, but I was missing something key. I literally had to overnight stanchions for the event because I didn’t have enough for the setup. The event was the upcoming weekend and the inquiry came through on a Wednesday I believe. In the end, everything turned out great and the client was happy but it taught me two things-1. Always research and have everything ready because you never know when it is “showtime” and 2. Sometimes you have to jump and wing it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Red Carpet Eventions (RCE), is an exclusive, luxury, next-level event support service, specializing in creating a Hollywood-like atmosphere with a “red-carpet welcoming,” which includes interviewers, paparazzi, star-struck fans desperate to get a glimpse of those fortunate enough to be on the guest list of such a star-studded event, videographers, photographers and more! There is no other event support service that provides our services and that is what sets us apart from anyone else.

RCE has had so many accomplishments from this year alone that it is hard to choose one singular moment, but I would say it is a toss up between the movie premiere for BET’s The Reading and XFL’s Opening Day for the Houston Roughnecks.

The main thing I want clients and partners to know is that we give your event guests an experience from the moment they step out of their car without impeding on the main event. We love being the “party before the party” We definitely “level-up” any event whether it is a birthday party, gala, movie premiere, awards ceremony or any occasion you can think of.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I first started RCE, I was adamant about wanting to only providing carpet, rope and stanchions. As time went on, I noticed clients started asking for additional services-backdrop, photographers, interviewers, etc. I wanted to keep things simple so I was turning clients away when they wanted more. I know, crazy right! Once I realized clients were looking for a one-stop-shop, I pivoted and decided to partner with companies so that we could deliver the full package to the client without them having to go to multiple vendors. By doing that, I have created a network of vendor partnerships who in turn refer us to their clients. Sometimes, keeping it simple doesn’t always work best.

We now offer red-carpet setup, photographers, videographers, step and repeats(back drops), interviewers, search lights, body guards, limo services and more!

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

This is huge for me!! In my previous career of Sales & Marketing Director, I was always taught to foster relationships first before speaking about money. There would be times I would build rapport with a potential client for 2-3 months before getting them in to tour and even longer for a sale. People tend to buy from who they trust and who they like.

Naturally, I have always had a talent of connecting with people organically. From this year alone, about 50% of my clients are repeat customers. It makes a huge difference when you speak to a past client a year to 6 months after your event and you ask about their pet, child(ren), previous health condition, etc. The relationship is always genuine and personable with me.

Every quarter, I send a recap of past events, new specials, new partnerships, etc. with both past clients and inquiries that decided not to book at the time. This is my way of staying visible without hounding. I always use this example: Old Navy always sends me emails and I don’t open them, but ANYTIME I shop in Old Navy, I always say “Let me see if I have anything in my email I can use for this purchase”. No one needs a red carpet everyday, BUT if you stay visible, you will cross their mind when they are planning that next event.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.redcarpeteventions.com
• Instagram: redcarpeteventionshtx
• Facebook: Red Carpet Eventions