Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Shell.
Hi Amber, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When life hands you a global catastrophe… you open a business, right? It might not have been the smartest decision, but my partner and I were given the gift of Time and we tried to make the most of it. Ilya and I were both in the service industry when Covid hit and unfortunately felt the effect it had on our respective workplaces. Not enough hours at work, not enough money in the bank, and no idea how we were supposed to recover from this. I figured that, with our creativity, knowledge of the hospitality industry, and Ilya’s experience in construction could propel us where we needed to go. I had seen these picnics around town and online and thought this could be our little foot in the door. “We just need a few pillows, a rug or two, a few low tables, and a little decor”, I told him, not realizing that this was just the start of something so much larger.
About a year and a half later, I can say that everything we worked so hard to build, is paying off. We not only do picnics, we do propane and wood burning bonfires, and of course events of all sizes now. Backdrops, photozone areas, balloons, florals, desserts, and planning are all part of what we do. With my experience as an artist and cake decorator and Ilya’s previous work experience in the restaurant, moving, and construction industries, we were the perfect match when it came to creating what we wanted when we wanted it. It has been HARD! Sleepless nights, wondering when the next event will come through, and if we are doing everything “right”. We are learning a lot as we navigate how to run a business like the less glamorous aspects, from learning how to do “the books”, or what an actual “write-off” is, or learning to say “No” to a request that would cost us too much.
Have you wondered what it is like to work with your significant other 24/7… sometimes in the rain, on the beach at midnight, through fajita spills and guacamole-covered tables? It really will make or break your relationship and your business! Doing this together has not only made us appreciate each other for what we bring to the table, it has made us realize, we can get through anything life throws at us!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
OOOF! That is a loaded question! I don’t think there is ever a “smooth” road when it comes to opening a business! I know we are not the only ones to have ups and downs when it comes to business. In the beginning, and even now, I have a problem saying “Yes” to everything. I am a total people pleaser and I love making people happy. My love language is “Acts of Service”, which is most likely why I have always been in the service and hospitality industry. Sometimes, I “sell” an idea before I know how it will work, or how much it will end up costing us and that is not a good business practice. Just because something doesn’t cost you much to make, materials-wise doesn’t mean the amount of time it takes to make, isn’t valuable! I am slowly learning that time is money and I need to charge accordingly. Killing myself to make something for an event, going out of my way to pick something up, and not being realistic with how long something is going to take me to do, are all habits of mine, that I am trying to break. Ilya is very much the realist and helps me realize that it isn’t just my time I am undervaluing, It’s his too! If we are going to go pick something up, even as simple as ice, we can’t just charge for the ice, we have to charge for the time to go get it, and for the gas it will take to go grab it. Otherwise, we can easily spend a whole day doing errands for one event, and then we don’t get paid to do that.
Neither of us grew up with fancy parties or beautiful things, and sometimes it’s hard to take a step back and realize that, we don’t have to worry about what people will pay for or not pay for. The right client will come to us and pay us what we are worth. There are people that charge less than we do, and there are people that charge more than we do, and that’s ok! The biggest struggle is not knowing your worth.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My partner and I focus mainly on picnics and decor for events large and small. When you book with us, you get a planner, inventory to choose from, and setup and breakdown. We do it all! We have built most of our larger inventory pieces and love that we can be creative with each event theme. We have a ton of color schemes to choose from when it comes to picnics, but we also love to make it extra personal when someone has a special request. We have wedding arches that Ilya has made and have even been used on occasion in some of the proposals our clients have done. We try to make each event, even the two person ones, a little different each time so everyone gets a unique experience. In fact, to this day, I don’t believe any two of our events have ever been exactly the same. Ilya has recently got into balloon artistry and really enjoys it. Backdrops and Photozone areas are some of my favorite things to work on since it’s one of the main focal points for a party, and I can be the most creative with that portion when tying a theme in together.
All of the furniture pieces we have made thus far is what I am most proud of. Our cocktail tables, cooler trunks, and picnic tables are all so unique, just like all of our clients. We take such pride in what we do, and it shows. I want everyone to have a great time and a memorable experience always! It isn’t just about making a paycheck for us. It’s about people trusting you with their vision and their celebrations. Ultimately, they are spending their hard-earned money on an experience with us. I want it to be perfect! When I see people happy with their event, it is the best compliment! I’d say we put our client’s happiness above our own ALWAYS!
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking.
Risk is what got us here! Sometimes spending that last dime you have is worth the gamble. I’d like to think that we’re done with risks but it’s a gamble just staying open as a small business these days. This gamble we took last February, has taken us to new places, new heights, and we have met some of the coolest people along the way. Without risk, there is no reward, or at least the reward tastes a bit sweeter when it pays off. We take risks every day, sometimes without even acknowledging it. I think the biggest mistake you can make is living life too carefully. I might regret not having a 401k in the future, but do I regret skydiving, hell NO! The experience helps me become who I am today. Do I regret building something I can be proud of? No! Of course not. It doesn’t just pay the bills; it helps push us into who we were made to be. Our true colors fly when we embrace what we are meant to do!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.suiteandsea.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suiteandsea/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suiteandsea
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/suite-and-sea-san-diego
Image Credits
Jessica Beamon Photography
Chasing Joy Photography
Erica Brown Photography
