We were lucky to catch up with Susannah Lago recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Susannah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

I’m a visual person and started my company naming journey by creating a map of the services and aspects I wanted my future business to address. Once seeing everything on paper I identified commonalities. What was it that brought all these ideas together? How could I encompass that and translate it into a company name?

It started with the word Style.

But my company wasn’t going to only be about style. It was going to be about how we can elevate what the client’s style is and have that come out in an event. Everything from the cocktails to the decor, the planning, the hospitality, the way the guests feel.

Then I thought of style…..UP!

Style Up means “to make something more stylish or fashionable.” And I knew that was it.

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’ve worked for years in the corporate and leisure event industries, coordinating and executing everything from rehearsal dinners and bridal showers, to black tie galas, trade shows, corporate marketing events, community functions, group travel and more.

With all of the steps involved in executing a successful event, I saw a great opportunity to create a service that expedites the event planning process while styling up the event itself and overall client experience.
That’s when the idea for Style Up Group started with our mobile event space – a 10’ x 6’ repurposed trailer customizable for all different types of events!

Style Up Group has grown a lot since our inception in 2018 and now have multiple trailers and serving stations, including a 1961 vintage Shasta camper turned mobile photobooth! We’re all about styling up your events!

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

Networking is really important. I know the word networking can cause all sorts of sensations in people, but the truth is, it’s just meeting people and talking. Not that scary! We’re all humans and if you can identify things that bring us together, you’re already halfway there of making a new connection.

My biggest advice would be to research what opportunities there are for networking and then determine which events you’re going to go to that best suit you. It’s ok if you go to an event and realize you don’t want to go to that type of event again. It’s trial and error.

For me, I’ve found a lot of business and solid connections via women-owned businesses and related networking groups.

Another thing I would mention is that volunteer work / community involvement is also another great way to meet people. Show up for your community and I promise they will show up for you too! Not all networking needs to come in the form of cocktails after work.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

This past summer I was called by a potential client that lived in a really nice area of town. He and his wife were planning his 40th birthday party and they wanted to go all out.

I was super excited to get the call, tour the property and meet them. I knew this would be a great business opportunity that would likely bring additional business.

After I spent hours walking the property, creating a proposal, tweaking it, etc, and then finally sharing it with the client…… I was politely passed up. They decided to go with someone else.

I was pretty upset, it was a lot of work for nothing, but I knew that replying with the same politeness was certainly the way to go. Professional is always the way to go. I said thank you for letting me know, I appreciate your time, and that was that.

Fast forward to weeks later I get a call from the couple again and they changed their mind! The other vendor flaked out due to staffing issues and they needed me and wanted Style Up Group after all. I called in my staff and we made it happen.

It was my largest sale to date.

Moral of the story: don’t burn bridges, be positive and polite, and professionalism always wins.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://styleupgroup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styleupgroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StyleUpGrp/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/style-up-group-llc/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-MvHCqDAh3eEEZw4F9UaVA
• Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@styleupgroup?lang=en

Image Credits
Elevate Brand Photography