We recently connected with Wanda Gaines and have shared our conversation below.

Wanda , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

So the way I obtained my first client that wasn’t a friend, family member or a friend of a friend was through my personal social media account.

On a daily basis I pull up my Facebook and Instagram pages for my business @NewOutlookEvents as well as my personal Facebook @Wanda Lisbon Gaines taking time to look at my timeline after posting photos of my business or personal life to include hash tags related to my event coordinating business etc.

Generally, during my review of my Facebook timeline. I will see post from people that are within groups I’ve joined through Facebook, with inquiries related to various things. Whenever someone is seeking an event planner, coordinator, decorator etc. I will comment with my response, providing my business contact information.

Well one day, after recently getting my beautiful digital business cards with my brand logo on them. I posted my business card in the comments, along with the message to say, let me make your visions into reality!

Of course numerous people in these groups also provide comments with their business or someone tags a business.

So I generally say well atleast my information is seen even if I’m not selected from the random number of people who comment.

I received a Direct Message from that person within the hour with some things they wanted done. I asked them to call my business telephone number so I could get details surrounding the event by speaking with them the next day. Due to it being later in the evening when they Direct Messaged me.

To my surprise, I received the call and I was actually in my car getting ready to leave home. I was excited for the opportunity and looking forward to booking the client. After the brief consultation they said there was someone else that was giving them a quote but they would be in contact. They thanked me for actually having them call and me speaking to them.

I explained that I will send them a detailed invoice/quote for them to review within 24 hours to help them make a decision. I submitted that invoice with a friendly and professional message. I received a text the next day indicating they’d be making their deposit within a few days.

I followed up on the date they said they’d make a deposit. I told them I was excited about the event and had great things in store for them.

The deposit then was made within the hour and it’s history from there. I had my first client (independent of any family or friends involved).

I was eager to get this client, therefore, I put forth the efforts to make it happen.

Wanda , 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 am a small town girl that has always wanted to model and be a business owner.

The business dream never died, even after giving up the hope of modeling did physically. I still think to myself from time to time, I need to give modeling a try again.

Now I am the owner/CEO of New Outlook Events!

I graduated from AHS, were I played volleyball and basketball. I attended business college at Florida Career Institute and received my diploma for Computer Office Specialist. Years later I attended Polk Community College for a week to obtain my 620 All Lines Adjuster License. I later returned to Polk Community College and obtained my AAS in Business Administration and Management. Lastly I obtained my BS degree in Business and Professional Leadership from Southeastern University.

I worked for two insurance companies as a claims representative/adjuster for a combined 19 years.

I was raised in church, and at an early age I started going to my family church. Church is where my gifts and talents were put to work and revealed.

Our church was small, therefore, the Pastor put me to task. I learned to stand in front of a crowd to speak, sing, and engage them through teaching. I was the church assistant, secretary and treasurer. I learned to emcee, organize programs, conferences, make sure things were in order, be the driver and the concierge if there is such a thing for the church.

These things I learned through church, prepared me for my business and my ultimate purpose.

I get joy from making others happy and putting together events for people to gather and enjoy themselves.

Being an event coordinator is something that I really didn’t imagine growing up. I just knew I wanted my own business, but I didn’t know what kind of business.

I started thinking of ways to have fun as a Christian. The idea of an event venue dropped into my spirit many years ago. I wrote it down. I still want a venue one day. I also had dreams of owning a clothing store, that I wrote down.

The business name I have now, came about after organizing a group for women outside of church that could talk about life issues and godly matters too, but also leave prayer request. The name of the group was New Outlook. This is why my business name today is New Outlook.

I’m very passionate about what I do to help make visions into reality.

As an event coordinator, I am able to take additional stress off of the client and free up their time for other things. Especially for those who have busy schedules, families, jobs or those who just prefer convenience.

New Outlook Events, provides several service’s individually or combined to assist our clients.

Such as, Full Coordination-coordinates your event of any kind. We have a consultation to discuss your vision and the budget (the amount you are willing to pay to fulfill your vision). Once hired, I locate your venues, vendors (ie: Catering, Photographer, Videographer, Disco Jockey (DJ), Florists, Decorator, Cake/Treats designers, Rentals, Entertainment, etc.) negotiate contracts, provide unlimited consultations throughout the process. I provide you with updates periodically or as much as requested and/or as necessary. Provide event timelines for everyone.

Day of Coordination- (offered as a stand alone service if there isn’t a need for a full service coordinator) which includes if applicable a wedding rehearsal the day before the wedding, obtaining all vendors information confirm areas vendors are setting up, providing a timeline and ensuring all the vendors arrival times are set up and that they arrive on time at the venue. Ensure proper set up of the venue, managing the event and ensuring that everything runs smoothly assisting or directing guest to find areas of the venue and assisting clients with questions or other small task. Managing the event timeline as well to ensure proper flow.

If you need a Mistress of Ceremony (Emcee, M.C.) I provide that service as well to keep the event going and energy up.

I also can provide design and decor for an event, along with one of the above listed services.

My goal is always to make your visions into reality!

New Outlook Events
Phone: 863-624-7772
Instagram: New Outlook Events
Facebook: New Outlook Events
Yelp: New Outlook
Google Maps: New Outlook Events
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.newoutlookevents.com

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I’ve built an audience on social media just by sharing my regular lifestyle on Instagram and Facebook. I use my personal page on Facebook to mainly promote my business. Those that are on my business pages and personal pages are there once I’ve confirmed if they have control of there on page making sure they aren’t fake. I prefer quality connections versus just the quantity.

Engagement on social media takes a lot of work. You don’t have to maintain 2000 or above friends or followers on social media. You must however share whatever you notice the followers like such as Reels in my case.

I brought the most attention to my page on Facebook via Reels but that’s not the case on Instagram. On Instagram the stories bring the most traffic or commenting on someone else post. I’d say make sure to always upload a Reel as much as possible, these attract people that aren’t already followers or friends on your pages.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Unfortunately, at this time I do not have a brick and mortar building, so I was not able to get a bank loan.

I spent my own money to purchase certain things needed for the business. I haven’t spent over $500 getting started yet this is because as an event coordinator, my clients will cover the expenses to have their own event.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.newoutlookevents.com
• Instagram: New Outlook Events
• Facebook: New Outlook Events
• Yelp: New Outlook

Image Credits
Titus Moye & Wanda Gaines