We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Renata Flot-Patterson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Renata below.

Hi Renata, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project that I have ever worked on is the Motown Production. The Motown Production was established in 2013 and was a project with meaning and passion behind it. We wanted to create a production that payed tribute to the original Motown artists and founder, Berry Gordy. That being said, we wanted to utilize youthful, ambitious, talented and creative artists for this project. It was imperative that they looked the part giving the production more of a genuine and authentic look and feel. The artists that we utilized were not seasoned, but wanted to learn and be a part of show business. With a team of experts in the entertainment industry, we brought the talent out of these artists that they did not even know that they had. The show was absolutely magical. Debuting at the Park City Egyptian Theater and selling out 4 consectutive shows for it’s first weekend run. From there, the show has been booked consistently throughout the years for weddings, conventions, theaters, festivals and more.

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

I was born in California, but raised in and proudly claim to be a native of New Orleans, LA. My entire family is from New Orleans and this is where my roots lie. I have always loved anything where entertainment, music or events were concerned. I come from a family and long history of entertainers, musicians, event planners, caterers and entrepreneurs in the restaurant and entertainment business. Since I was a young child, music and entertainment has always lifted me in a way that nothing else can and still does until this day. I love all sorts of music & live entertainment. I love attending ballets, musical theater, plays, festivals, events, weddings, conventions and anything that has to do with people coming together and enjoying one another in one form or another. After moving from New Orleans to Salt Lake City, I got into the music industry by becoming a lead vocalist in the “Sensations Soul Band” an R&B Soul band that ended up being one of the most popular and most hired wedding bands in the Western Mountain region. I travled and performed for about 10 years with this band and when we could no longer fill all of the dates that were being requested, I began calling on other bands to fill the dates that we could not. Hence, launching my entertainment booking agency which then was called, Big Easy Entertainment & Productions. I then decided to create the Motown Musical Production and eventually rebranded the business to LeFleau Entertainment Groups & Productions. There were many set backs and many rewards, but discipline, staying focused and passionate about doing what I love most, is what kept me grounded and moving forward. During these transitions, I became the go-to for wedding & convention bands. I also became highly aquainted with many event planners across the Western Mountain region and many clients to say the least. Providing services and keeping my clients and planners happy was my number one and ultimate goal. I’ve always loved entertaining, hosting gatherings and creating events so I decided to get really creative and launched the “SLC Mardi Gras Ball” in around 2007. Since New Orleans was my roots, I thought that it would be super cool to bring New Orleans to Salt Lake City. Giving Salt Lake a taste of my culture to experience for themselves. The event was well received, but shortly after a few years, The Utah Arts Council launched their annual “Tardy Mardi” fundraiser which became a conflict for my event as they would host their event sometimes on the same date near Mardi Gras and it just began clashing with our event. But I did not let that stop me, I just became a bit more creative and moved my event to New Years Eve, renaming it to “The SLC New Years Eve Masquerade Ball”. The New Years Eve event blew up from there and is highly attended each year since it’s debut launch in 2009. We are now heading into our 13th Annual “SLC New Years Eve Masquerade Ball” and it cannot be more successful with consistent attendance of around 1000 guests each year. I am so very proud of this event as we have so many new and repeat customers and fans that look forward to the event each year. Our customers start booking tickets and calling about the details as early as August each year. The “SLC New Years Eve Masquerade Ball” sets “LeFleau Entertainment” apart from all the other event and entertainment companies in the Western Mountain region. As no one else in SLC is presenting or hosting an event as such and year after year, our Ball is the most happening event in the SLC and surrounding areas on New Years Eve. Each year, we get new clients who are now coming from other cities and are building their ski vacations around New Years Eve in order to attend our amazing event. Aside from the NYE event, “LeFleau Entertainment” is still booking entertainment, hosting and promoting other events throughout the year. So if potential clients are in need of a wedding or corporate band, or a wedding or event planner, we are hear to service them. We currently have an ongoing “Motown Magic Dinner Show” that we showcase several times a year in downtown Salt Lake City as well. The show consists of Broadway and local performing artists and musicians and is a must see for all who love live entertainment and Motown. “Motown Magic” is also a wedding band and can provide a dynamic showcase for wedding entertainment specializing in R&B, Soul, Classic Motown, Current and Top 40 Covers.

How did you build your audience on social media?

As we now live in a digital world where Social Media has taken presidence in marketing your brand, I have learned that you can never post enough. Your creative content must be seen on a consistent basis. You cannot allow the potential consumer or customer forget that you exist. I try to post at least daily and if not daily, three times per week mininmum to stay in the forefront of my followers interest. To gain new followers and to remain visible. I have learned that joining groups that have the same interests or even somewhat similar interests is where you want to showcase your brand. Join groups as much as possible to get in front of others that you may not have reached otherwise.
Be careful not to over post in groups though. Follow the rules of the groups you join and be respectful in your posts.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Life happens whether you believe it or not. And when it does, you must know how to navigate and keep reaching for your goals no matter what obstacles come your way.

The rebranding from Big Easy Entertainment & Productions to LeFleau Entertainment Groups & Productions was birthed from life changing events and challenges.

Divorce, relocation, and new beginnings is where I had to pivot in my career, business and personal life all at the same time.

It wasn’t easy, but with persistence and passion for what you love, you quickly learn how to navigate,how to keep moving forward and how to push through. It’s truly all about your passion to succeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lefleauentertainment.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lefleau_entertainment/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeFleauEntertainmentandevents
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lefleau-entertainment-productions-inc/?viewAsMember=true
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LefleauMusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBsGGhYafe5rrcjM8NXOYYw

Image Credits
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