Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Conklin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alison. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My career in event planning really started back in college where I studied Hospitality Management and simultaneously worked at a catering company. After graduating, I took an unpaid internship with a meeting and event planning company, which led me to plan corporate events for a little over seven years. I always knew I wanted to do events on my own, but I didn’t know when that journey would begin. After my first daughter was born three years ago, I started to do freelance events from home and then shortly after Alison Conklin Events was born!
Has it been a smooth road?
I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as “smooth”, but rather a little bumpy here and there (haha). The industry is always changing which I enjoy, but that can also be challenging at times. I definitely need to learn more about how to market my services and which outlets work best for my business. Ideally, I would have an event booked every month but that just hasn’t been the case so far. Finding the balance of being mom and business owner is also a current struggle which I think most working mamas can relate to.
I would advise any young women getting into the event industry to seek out as many opportunities as you can in order to gain that valuable hands-on experience. I remember early on in my career feeling defeated as event planning can sometimes be portrayed as glamorous and it is far from that. You are the first one to arrive and the last to leave. Working onsite for 12 plus hours can sometimes become very grueling but seeing all of your hard work come to fruition is so worth it. Learning from my mistakes over the years has certainly allowed me to grow in both a personal and professional way.
Take risks and grab as much experience as you can. Take on internships, volunteer, or even job shadow. Experience creates opportunities. Never give up and if you have questions… ask! Otherwise, the answer will always be “no.”
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Alison Conklin Events – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Alison Conklin Events offers a variety of services from day of coordination to full scope event planning. We plan and design a variety of events from weddings to corporate functions. We also rent out a pretty rad vintage truck. Our 1958 Chevy Apache is such a fun prop that has been used for photo shoots, dessert bars, and most recently was used for a photo opportunity at the Queenbee Market in Del Mar.
I’m honestly most proud that I actually went out on my own in business. Wherever this journey takes me, I will be happy knowing that I put myself out there and took a chance for what I’m passionate about in life. My goal for each event is for my attendees to walk away with a positive and lasting memory… something they can talk about for years to come with family and friends.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Where do I begin? I feel like this is a heavy question (haha). But seriously, I think there are so many barriers that females face in the workplace from fear of rejection to being underpaid. I think stereotypes play a huge part in the lack of female leadership roles. Many women want to stay home with their children and maintain their career, but how can we do both? A lot of the times, we have to choose if we want to maintain that leadership role or put that on hold. I think a lot of females who want both move towards startups which is super inspiring and empowering.
There have been huge improvements over the years, but we are still so far away from being equal which saddens me especially now having two daughters. My parents always encouraged my sister and I that we could be whatever we wanted to be when we grew up. I look forward to giving that same advice and encouragement to my two little ladies. I only hope that with each year there are more and more strides towards female empowerment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alisonconklinevents.com
- Email: hello@alisonconklinevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisonconklinevents
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/alisonconklinevents and https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/alison-conklin-events-oceanside/62a3974417012285.html
Image Credit:
Bauman Photographers, Thomas Photography, Lady and the Lends Photography
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