We were lucky to catch up with Shardé Curry recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shardé thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Many of my clients would request my services because they were dreading the occasion due to planning it. The big moments that should bring joy and excitement were overshadowed with stress. The story behind my mission is that I used to be just like my clients. I wasn’t present in the celebration because I was stuck hosting it. It was my experience as a mother of four that I no longer wanted my clients to miss memory making. It became my mission to ensure my clients were also guests at their event. They were serving cake, but eating it like everyone else. I give my clients the chance to truly enjoy the celebration!

Shardé , 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?

People often take life for granted. We assume that family members and friends will live forever. The truth is that time stands still for no one. As a mother of four, I see my children growing daily. I recall their birthday parties that really opened my eyes and inspired me to open my company. At every party I had for their birthdays, I noticed a common trait. Looking at the pictures, I didn’t see myself in many pictures. I know I was at these parties! Where was I? Planning and hosting. Although I was 100% physically there, I was in complete host mode. I was cutting cake, passing out treats, and taking pictures of my little ones and their friends. There is no evidence of my presence other than the decor. My wallet and my stress level can attest that I was there. It made me wonder how many parents can relate to this gut wrenching feeling?

What’s worse is that this feeling of missing life was now in constant conversations about even bigger occasions. I would hear engaged couples tell me how much they were ready for their wedding to be over. How crazy does that sound?!? The issue is that the stress of planning was completely overshadowing what mattered most: memory making. It was these conversations plus my own experience that created Piece of Mind Events.

My company serves one purpose to all our clients. We have a vision to create opportunities to fulfill the human need for connection. It is our goal to allow our clients the gift of presence at whatever they are celebrating. Life is too short to miss out on memories. We want our client to be a guest at their own event like everyone else.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In January of 2020, I had just walked away from my full time job of 14 years. I was exhilarated and overjoyed to be a full time business owner. My company had been open, but this was the first time that I worked full time for myself! I was so proud to be taking this big step! I felt like I had arrived and the world was just as eager to get to know me. Little did I know that a pandemic was right around the corner.

Everyone was greatly impacted by COVID, so I won’t go into the struggle I experienced. It is no different than anyone else. I was frustrated, sad, and confused. Even as an event planner, I didn’t plan for this. Let me add that I had four children who were also home with me. My husband was the only person whose was able to work thankfully. I admit that I thought this situation was hopeless. I spent far too long crying over my failed future. However, after speaking to my mentor, I had a new idea.

I kept watching videos on social media of children’s who were cancelling their birthday parties. Couples were rescheduling their weddings, and other big events were postponed. I had recently received a merchandise book for shipping supplies in the mail. It was full of cardboard boxes, etc that I didn’t think I needed. However, I believe that God told me to order a ton of party supplies. I thought this idea was crazy, but I obeyed. I ordered a ton of all things party! My husband thought I was crazy! Everything arrived right before the shipping delays started due to the pandemic stopping workers. I took those sad feelings of all the kids’ cancelled parties and opened an Etsy Store. This Etsy Store allowed me to sell birthday party boxes to kids all over the country. I was able to mail custom decor to families so they could host parties just within their home. It kept my company open during the pandemic. What’s great is that it didn’t stop there.

I then partnered with a DJ and a magician to host virtual birthday parties! Together, we used video software to host virtual parties. Kids were able to see their friends and also attend a party safely. It was so fulfilling and also brought in income for my family.

This wasn’t exactly how I planned to spend my summer, but I am so grateful that I was able to pivot. It turns out that parties aren’t about the cake or the decor, but about making memories. If I couldn’t connect people in one physicality location, then virtual would work just fine.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Something I unlearn everyday is to not compare myself to anyone else. When I first entered this business, there were tons of event planners. I didn’t have a huge company. In fact, it was just me for a long time. I didn’t have the connections I needed nor the capital. It seemed like everyone was thriving, but me. How long until I was like everyone else? Why is everyone else doing so much bette than me? It was so uncomfortable and I hated it. It was like I would never make it like the big companies in Nashville. I admit that many times I wondered if it was even worth it. Maybe business ownership was not for me. However, I am so glad I didn’t give up.

Today, I just focus on myself. I try my best to give my clients all I have. I rarely look at social media so I don’t compare myself to anyone. If I just have four clients, then they get the best of me. I stay humble, and appreciate every opportunity given. It’s hard to ignore other people and focus on what and who you are. I know that I won’t have very client in the world, but I do know that there are enough clients for everyone. There is no need to worry about what I am missing out on. I just focus on being good and get better.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pieceofmindevents.com
• Instagram: @pieceofmindevent

Image Credits
Photowalk Nashville (Christy Hunter)