Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Taylor.
Ryan , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I graduated the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 2009 and worked on ships for 6 years, all over the World as a navigational officer and Unlimited tonnage Captain’s license. Accepted a position at a shipyard in San Diego as a construction manager and worked in engineering for 6 more years. During my time at the yard, I knew I wanted to be a mom and start a business that would allow me to be at home more. So, I took a class in Wedding Planning from ACPWC (Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants). Although not necessary to become a planner, it gave me a lot of insight into the industry and whether it would be a good transition for me. I worked simultaneously at the shipyard while growing my company, House of Love Planning and giving birth to my second son, Austin.
Two full time jobs, two boys ages 1 and 3 still in diapers, and filing for divorce right before COVID hit. The situation I kept very private from social media but was granted full custody of my two little guys and before I knew it, it was just us three amigos with no alimony or child support. I was so thankful to have had my engineering job with the uncertainty of how long the wedding industry would be restricted. To say the least, it was a rough couple of years.
Covid restrictions finally started to lift and in 2022 I quit my position at the shipyard and decided to go full time wedding planning! 😀 I’m not going to lie, it was a scary jump, and I didn’t know exactly where the income would come from in the slower months November-March. What I did know, is my little guys needed more time with me, and less time at daycare, and I would do anything for them. We downsized our apartment to make ends meet but it was a paycheck to paycheck year. Thankfully, they were picky eaters and didn’t complain about Mac and cheese often, lol. I prayed a lot about ideas that could help my business grow or maybe something else I could offer during the holidays.
October 2022, I had a wonderful couple getting married at La Jolla Country Club. We were working on their design, exploring rental options, and the bride asked if there were anywhere she could rent a bar that was made out of Capiz seashells. She wanted something exceptional for an area of her wedding that was a priority for them to be fun and gorgeous! So I said “Well, no, but I can make them for you”. The wedding photos came in and posted on my House of Love instagram. They turned out so great, and I had an incredible time making them! I didn’t actually make any money from them as I only charged for the materials, but I KNEW this was something I wanted to do more of. Within a few weeks, I was fielding inquiries from other planners and couples asking if I could build something for them too, maybe even a backdrop wall. The months between November and March were blessed with orders for this new passionate venture. I needed a new business name.
Cavalier Bars and Backdrops was something that came to me instantly (as my little cavalier, Cali, stared at me). Cavaliers being a luxury companion with the most adorable face, it felt feminine and memorable. The ideas for new bar faces were continuous, it’s all I could think about. I worked on different designs, how to make them portable, how to store everything in my one-car apartment garage, how to build them without making my neighbors angry, lol. I sold our couch to make room in the living room to work, but the boys and I would build forts in the bedroom for movies, so they didn’t mind. I worked to plan styled shoots and offer free bar rentals to venues to get my name out there. The boys were often in their carseats with the uhaul trailer in tow.
It’s been almost three years now since the first Capiz shell bar, which is still in the inventory. Heavier than most of the other bars I’ve made, thankfully gotten much better with the designs. So blessed to have a house with a larger garage to work these days, be able to pickup my kids from school, they’re 6 and 8 now, and continue to have a passion for making beautiful things for people’s weddings and events. I started selling my bar designs to restaurants and venues that are looking for something custom to their space and built modular to store when needed. I’m looking forward to the incredible events booked this year and knowing the creativity we get to share with others is limitless. We wouldn’t be here without the support of friends and family. Especially my mom, who moved from Texas last year to help me with the boys and give me the opportunity to spend the weekends delivering and midnight pickups. I hope to encourage and share support for all the single parents that give it their all. All of their heart and passion, to take the risks and never give up. When doors close, there’s always another way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The Wedding Engineer – I’m both a wedding planner and I build custom details for events. My specialty is building modular bars and backdrops. I’m one of the only female carpenters in the wedding industry that has a background in design and construction. I’m most proud of teaching my kids, by way of example, that if you can find something you’re passionate about and work really hard at getting good at it, you will have a life full of joyful service and be in a constant state of play with your work.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Having experienced 4 years at a military academy (1 of 12 female graduates in 2009), then pursuing a career as a navigational officer and ship captain (often being the only female on board), then taking a construction manager position at a shipyard, then 3 years in engineering…just to quit it all and choose to be the most present mom I could be and pursue something that made me happy.
My father was furious and really tried to encourage me to stay climbing the corporate ladder, push for the next position. It seemed as if I didn’t stay in an industry where I stood out as a female, I wouldn’t be interesting and lose what made me special. The work sucked the life out of me though, and although I kept putting in the overtime, it never felt like the right fit. I knew I had dedicated my education, years of training, and sacrifice to get to where I was…but I need to make a drastic change. So I quit, and the weight of the World was lifted.
Pricing:
- Custom builds start at $1k
- Avg. bar rental is $400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cavalierbars.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cavalierbars/
Image Credits
Photography: Mirelle Carmichael Photo, Katie Edwards Photo, Silent Tea Studio, Anne Lim photo, Ether and Smith Photo, The Copper Collective,
Florals: Tularosa Flowers, De Bloem Co Florals, Parker and Posies, Bliss Fine Florals
Planners: Magnolia Lane Events, Thomas Bui Lifestyle, Crown Weddings and Events, Type A Soiree, House of Love Planning
Venues: Hotel del Coronado, La Jolla Country Club, Balboa Bay, The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, Monserate Winery, Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, Santa Ana Country Club
