Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Hudes

Hi Amanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

With a background in fashion and communications, and as a graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology, as long as I’m able to be creative, I’m in my element. Naturally, when I worked in corporate management, I also planned the company events, and I was able to utilize my love of color palettes and styling. And when people started questioning why I wasn’t stressed while planning the events, I realized that planning and managing, building and maintaining relationships, and using my ability to be self-motivated could equate to a successful Event Planning business. I included my certifications as a Health Counselor and Behavior Change Specialist to differentiate myself and incorporate this specialties into my business, helping to plan amazing events while also, if they chose to add the service, helping clients to look and feel their best for their event. In March of 2016, I started, “Smiling Through Chaos.”

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

From the first year, it has not been a smooth road, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been the road meant for me – very different things.
When I started my business in March of 2016, I did not know that I would have the miracle of getting pregnant with my second child only 7 months later. I was faced with the “pregnancy challenge” that so many female business owners face, where once people find out you are pregnant, they become hesitant to book with you for fear you won’t be able to handle a growing baby and a business, and that your focus won’t be on them. Obviously these people didn’t know me since I was working on emails from the hospital bed right after my c-section. The right people became my clients, and we formed strong bonds. It was similar over the next year, when my son was a baby, but as time went on, people grew to understand my work ethic, my ability to run a business well and do so with a smile, and my different approach stylistically and from a customer service standpoint. As time continued, Covid hit, and after rescheduling and cancelling events, I was left with two options – sit and wait or do something. I chose to, of course, do something. From outdoor weddings and mitzvahs to getting booked on podcasts and television, and quoted and featured in print and online, my business was busy. What could’ve been a time of lack became a time of abundance. What was a time of struggle for so many was something I used to help put a smile on people’s faces, with weekly dance parties and Live interviews on Instagram to keeping clients excited about celebrating life. And through personal life challenges, I have chosen to utilize my business as a way to let all of the beauty of life out into events for my clients.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

Smiling Through Chaos is known for one-of-a-kind, customized events that speak to the client. We don’t do boring. It’s important that the event is memorable and fun, but it’s also important that the experience is just the same. So many Planners focus on the day of – we focus on all of it. The client is involved in as much or as little of the Planning process as they choose. It works best when there is full trust in the creative process, so we ask of that from the start. If a client wants to be the Planner, it doesn’t work well. If the client appreciates and values the Planner and allows for creativity, oh the magic that happens… We don’t view clients as just another client – our clients become part of the Smiling Through Chaos family.
Smiling Through Chaos was rated, “Top 13 Wedding Planners in NY” by WeZoree, and we have been awarded the Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award Winner 8 years in a row 2017-2024, and the The Knot 2021-2024 Best of Weddings Awards, now in the Hall of Fame!
But what really gets us excited is seeing our client reactions when they walk into the space we have created, alongside our amazing teams of vendors, with their jaws dropping and smiles forming on their faces, speechless.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?

I’m very risky when it comes to new ideas. I dream of ideas and paint or draw them out to be able to speak to clients and vendors about them. I would always rather share an idea that makes the event special than hold it inside and play it safe.
I also take some risks when it comes to making sure I am following my intuition. Look at the name of my business! Some people wonder why I wouldn’t name it the same as other luxury planning businesses, my name and then “Events.” That is SO not me, and it’s not saying what my business says, unique, special, different.
With financial risks and adventurous type risks, I play it safer ;)

Pricing:

• 10-15% Planning Investment
• Individual wellness consults

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.smilingthroughchaos.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smilingthroughchaos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smilingthroughchaos
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl97USTRb-B48fZuqWFSOjA

Image Credits

Drew Noel Photography, Villetto Photography, Ben Lau Photography, Andy Foster Photography, Mark Latham Photography, Jeff Tisman Photography