We were lucky to catch up with Summer Taylor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Summer, thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

As an entrepreneur for almost twenty years, my entire career has been built on taking risks. From quitting my stable corporate job to start my own freelance business, to expanding my business offerings through partnerships – each step was a risk, but they all led me to where I am today, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

In 2006, I took a massive leap of faith by quitting my stable, 9-5 corporate job to start my own freelance business. At the time, I was a graphic/web designer working where I felt under-appreciated and my talents underutilized, and the thought of making a lateral move didn’t sound appealing. I was scared, nervous, and excited all at once. I received numerous inquiries about freelance work, and after many sleepless nights (and the encouragement of my now-husband), I took a risk and decided to pursue freelance design full-time. It was a decision that changed my life.

Deciding to start a business where I wore all the hats was intimidating. But deep down, I felt the risk would reap the rewards, and it did. The leap into entrepreneurship allowed me to immerse myself in my community through networking opportunities, where I met new clients, other entrepreneurs, and many like-minded individuals who remain close friends to this day. It also provided numerous opportunities to learn, evolve, and grow as a business owner.

For over ten years, I grew my freelance design business from a solopreneur to having my first intern, who then turned into my first employee. I expanded my business offerings through partnerships, and within a year, the company turned into a 15-person, full-service marketing firm. It was an exciting time, but it also came with its challenges. I learned the importance of effective communication, strategic planning, and team management. These lessons have been invaluable in my entrepreneurial journey.

In 2016, my business partners and I needed a change, so we shut down the marketing firm. I felt defeated but knew I wasn’t done with my journey.

During this time, a friend owned an event planning company, and I would occasionally help execute the event details. Through this contract work, I discovered my interest in the event planning industry. It allowed me to be creative and different, work with others, and not sit behind a computer all day.

In 2019, I took a considerable risk by changing my career path entirely to start my own event planning company, Local Revival. It was a journey that began with a drive to learn and a handful of business and design skills acquired from previous years. I had no prior experience in the event planning industry, but I was determined to succeed. I researched, networked, and learned as much as possible, which paid off. Local Revival is a thriving business today, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Everything came to a screeching halt in 2020. The pandemic hit, and my newly formed business was at a standstill for over a year and a half. Instead of succumbing to self-doubt, I chose to keep the faith, relying on my design skills and using the time during quarantine to further my knowledge of the new industry I wanted to pursue.

Today, as things have returned to normal, I find myself in a place of absolute love for what I do. Though filled with ups and downs, the journey has led me to deep fulfillment and satisfaction.

Often, the word ‘risk’ is associated with negativity. However, I believe it’s all about perspective. If I hadn’t taken a risk to pursue freelance design, I might still be working at the same company and doing the same thing. All of the risks I’ve taken, both big and small, have led me to this point where I was meant to be. They have not only shaped my journey but also helped me find my true calling… finally!

Summer, 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?

I’ve always felt creative. Whether drawing, painting, turning trash into treasure, or working on home decor projects, creativity has always been a big part of my life. As a business owner for 20 years, I’ve been grateful that I’ve been able to utilize my artistic talents to make a living.

In 2019, I wanted to move away from my desk as a graphic/web designer and do something where I could be equally creative but more hands-on. After working as a contractor for a friend’s event planning company, I fell in love with the industry and decided to shift my business focus.

I founded Local Revival in 2019 with a unique vision: to combine my love for weddings and events with a passion for supporting local small businesses. It’s not just about creating extraordinary weddings but also about fostering a sense of community and local pride.

Since embarking on my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve had an appreciation for fellow business owners. Our choice creates a challenging path, and I’m dedicated to doing my part in supporting and promoting other local businesses. This commitment is at the heart of Local Revival, and we believe in the power of our community to create remarkable events by using vendors often hidden from the results of a quick Google search.

Our approach is tailored to couples who value their time above all else. By immersing ourselves in the community and proactively building relationships with other businesses, we aim to remove the guesswork and Googling that our couples would typically have to do. We vet the chefs and florists, meet countless DJs and bands, and file all the necessary permits, freeing the bride, groom, and their families to truly enjoy the big day.

Our mission is to create weddings with deep-rooted, stunning results; Weddings for couples who can remain fully present throughout their day while supporting locally owned, community businesses.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Two unique qualities have bolstered my reputation in the wedding planning industry: my unflappable composure and obsessive attention to detail.

My superpower lies in creating serenity amidst the chaos of a wedding. Need to find a catering solution quickly? No problem. My extensive network and precise knowledge of who to call can provide options swiftly. Planned out your entire outdoor reception only to find out the Fire Marshall won’t approve your plans? Piece of cake! I’ll research, contact the city or county, or plead our case to Town Hall to devise a solution that doesn’t ruffle a single feather or require plucking any gray hairs (true story!) My ability to act swiftly and efficiently in the face of unexpected challenges instills confidence in my couples, vendors, and wedding party members, allowing them to focus on the more exciting aspects of their wedding.

Moreover, my meticulousness ensures that everyone is in the right place at the right time and all expectations are met. A vendor once complimented me, saying that in his nine years of being a part of a popular band in Wilmington, North Carolina, he’s never seen wedding day details as comprehensive as the ones I presented. This is a compliment I hold dear! I take pride in providing everyone involved with more than enough information tailored to each vendor or person. This level of care and precision is crucial in wedding planning, where every detail can make a difference and impact the event’s overall success.

These qualities have allowed me to build a reputation for exceptional service and results within my industry. This is also a testament to the strong and secure professional relationships I foster, which in turn benefit all parties involved during the wedding planning process.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I learned that going into business with your friends can be extremely risky. It’s not that it can’t be done, but it’s not always a good idea. Before considering a similar venture again, I had to unlearn my way of thinking. This involved reevaluating my expectations, understanding the potential risks, and being prepared for the challenges that could arise.

Embarking on a business journey with friends may seem like an exciting prospect, but it’s important to acknowledge the potential challenges. When business decisions become complex and stressful, the clash of priorities, strengths, personalities, and leadership styles can blur the line between your personal and business relationship. This was a painful lesson I learned firsthand. When tough decisions had to be made, my friend took them personally, leading to the unfortunate dissolution of our friendship.

However, it’s not all bad news if you want to work with friends. Two things to remember are establishing clear boundaries and maintaining consistent communication. This can help ensure that your business relationship with your friend remains positive and that your personal relationship isn’t affected. You can do this by creating a general working agreement. This agreement should outline expectations for each partner’s role and responsibilities, provide a framework for decision-making, explain how to solve conflicts, and make an exit plan if one of you wants to part ways. Also, it’s essential to separate your personal and business relationships and regularly check in to ensure you’re on the same page and to maintain a professional atmosphere.

My friendship/business relationship didn’t work out the first time, but I’m not discouraged. I’ve learned valuable lessons from this experience. For instance, I now understand the importance of clear communication, setting realistic expectations, and being prepared for potential conflicts. If the right partnership presents itself, I’d be willing to explore it. Celebrating wins, having a shoulder to lean on during tough times, and dividing responsibilities are definitely better shared with a good friend than alone. However, next time, I know what to do differently to keep the friendship intact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lrdesignstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localrevivalinc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/localrevivalinc

Image Credits
Bill/Eva Shipman Wedding: Kam Goodrich Photography DeJong & Miller Wedding: Corey Conroy Photography Emma/Jacky Nguyen Wedding: Heather B. Studio