Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Johnson Kelli Hall. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Stephanie Johnson, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
Bee Wild Events hopes to build a business and a brand that is known across the Midwest for not only providing luxury event planning services but also connecting with our couples and families that leave a lasting impression for years to come.
We believe strongly in women in business and always encourage them to be independent and promote growth. It’s important that we connect and continue to build strong working relationships within the industry.
Our goal is to hopefully be able to pass the business onto our family, which includes our nieces, who have expressed their support and interest in Bee Wild Events.
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.
We are Stephanie and Kelli the wild and creative minds behind Bee Wild Events.
Our business is rooted in friendship that began over 10 years ago. We quickly bonded over our love for exploring the National Parks, endless giggles, and our love for entertaining our friends and family.
Although we just launched our own event planning business, our skills have been built up for many years prior with dozens of weddings under our belts. We previously served the Duluth and North Shore, in northern MN, which let us explore our wild and outdoorsy side.
We are beyond excited to offer our expertise and experience to our Bee Wild Events clients. We want to provide you with a one-of-a-kind planning experience, rooted in being your truest self. You dream it, and we will achieve it. Bee Wild. Bee You.
Our greatest strengths are problem solving and our creative minds. When faced with a conflict, problem or unconventional task, we strive. Believing that two minds are better than one and always leaning on each other. At times we communicate without having to speak to each other allowing us to be effective and efficient in all tasks.
Our proudest moments are when we step back to take it all in and see your vision brought to life. Watching our couples, their friends and families laughing and dancing the night away brings us joy and satisfaction.
We will be with you through every step of the planning adventure, from your imagination to our execution, we will design the memories of your dreams.
Have you ever had to pivot?
We were awoken on the morning of the wedding by a text from the venue. They informed us that the couple’s reception venue had flooded and there was standing water in the dining space.
Without panicking the bride and groom, we met with the venue coordinator to explore the other venue spaces that were available for the day.
It was an unfortunate ordeal as the couple had booked this space that was located next to the water. Surrounded by windows that highlighted and brought in the North Shore vibes the couple sought after.
The additional venue space that was shown to us, was dark, in the basement, and did not reflect the couple’s style. Although it was nice to have the backup space, we had to act quickly to turn it into something warm, intimate, and inviting to all.
We worked with the venue staff to point out the differences in the space, and the couple’s reasoning for booking the initial reception space. They wanted to be next to the water and enjoying the summer night outside on the lawn.
We were able to compromise with the staff and provide a space outdoors for both cocktail hour and after dinner reception.
Once we had our plan of action, we approached the couple with confidence and communicated what took place. We advocated for them and felt the venue also did everything they could to pivot and turn this around. In doing so, the bride and groom were trusting of the new vision.
At the end of the night, we stood back and watched them dance under the moonlight. Their guests had no clue what had taken place earlier that day.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Building and strengthening our relationships with not only our clients but also our vendors has helped us grow the reputation we have and given us the confidence to step out on our own.
At the end of the day, it is important for us to be our true authentic selves. In doing so, our clients know exactly who we are and what we are capable of bringing to the table. We find it important to create not only a bond but a level of trust and respect.
Our vendors are just as important to us as our clients. Some of which we work with time and time again. These working relationships and respect are just as important to us as those with our clients. Referrals are the biggest form of gratitude and come from vendors as well; we love and appreciate those that we continue to receive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beewildeventsco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beewildeventsco/
Image Credits
Kaylah Hammer
Ashley Thiel