We recently connected with Paige Robertson and have shared our conversation below.
Paige, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
Growing up my dad was in the hospitality industry. From as early as I can remember he worked in the Hotel Industry. We would travel a lot to visit his properties, take vacations. Each place we’d go my brothers and I would hear “you’re representing your father here, be on your best behavior.” My brothers and I got to experience a lot of things and saw a lot of the behind the scenes from a young age. Hosting was instilled in my upbringing as I was always attending a function or hosting something. It’s because of this background and influence, I’ve said my dad raised employees.
I’ve grown to really appreciate that influence. That sentiment got me into my first hotel where I worked through the various departments and learned my passion was in events. Moved from hotels into associations then corporations using my experiences and event knowledge to plan and organize events for hundreds of people at a time, sometimes on a daily basis. My heart soared watching people enjoy events I had planned. Recently, I began thinking my original feeling about my dad was inaccurate as I am happier as an entrepreneur. I’ve thought, how did I get here? As much as I have learned in the hotel industry and from my dad, I found my way into running my own wedding planning business.
What I’ve learned is not that my dad taught me how to be a great employee, but how to push myself, seek opportunities, and work hard. It’s because of that development over the years that I’ve been able to create my dream job working for myself and doing what I love.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Front Paige Events started in 2016 after I heard too many times from employers “you have to do it this way”. That wouldn’t have been so bad, except attendees gave feedback like “Wow! This was the best corporate holiday event I’ve ever attended!” or “Oh, this is new! I like it.” It was hard to follow the “this is how we’ve always done it” path when I’d seen the light and heard the cries for more. There was no getting back into the box after that…so, all I could do was pave my own way. Now I plan cherished and revered weddings and events for clients’ unique stories by connecting with them beyond the surface, really taking time to get to know them then coordinating with vendors that believe in the same quality of service to deliver an event that exceeds expectations. Front Paige Events is a vivacious planning and design company that prides itself on getting into the details, making clients feel taken care of, and using the clients’ interests in the designs.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I am a perpetual learner; I love learning. Education is food for my brain, it keeps me moving forward. Not all learning is sought out though. Most of my good, life-changing lessons come from a hard time. In my industry, the wedding industry, I learned a lesson early on that mother’s of the bride [MOB] are more often the ‘zillas’ than the bride (in my experience – don’t come at me, this is my experience). A while back a MOB disagreed with me and my process so much so we parted ways (not amicably) and it had me questioning my entire life. ‘Was I really cut out for this?’ ‘Should I just stop?’ ‘Is she right?’ I hid for a while, didn’t network, post, or show up in my business. Then that familiar ache returned and I slowly got back to driving my business forward until I came across another couple whose MOB was very involved. No lie, I felt the anxiety rise. Reading her email, demanding information and side by sides, questioning my choices, etc. I thought “oh no, it’s happening again.” In my email back, I used my accounting persona to just deliver the facts. I wrote out information I received from the client of what they wanted, what the two venues offered, and more facts. I hit send and walked away for the day. Back and forth in my head I anticipated more push back. Then the response came. “Great! Thanks Paige, this is exactly what I needed. I trust you.” It was in that moment I learned, one bad apple doesn’t ruin the bunch.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
As I’ve mentioned, I love to learn. One of the easiest and quickest ways to gain knowledge for me is by listening to podcasts and audio books. However, the off-chance I have time, I will read a physical book. One of the greatest of those books that really shifted my mindset was “Grit to Great”. It helped me get over the thought that I had to be a natural at something to be great. From that book I learned, if I worked hard enough, I can be great. And I already know how to work hard. So greatness is just a matter of time.
Contact Info:
- Website: frontpaigeevents.com
- Instagram: frontpaigeevents
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/frontpaigeevents
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/frontpaigeevents
- Twitter: frontpaigeevent
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/channel/uc2yfics9gsviudpl3d3kw
- Other: TikTok – @paigetheplanner
Image Credits
Yohanna Wendt Photography, Emilee Jayne Photography, AZ Wed Pics, Lauren Peachie, and Katie Burrichter Photography