Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Watkins.
Kristin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started when I left my business development job to live my entrepreneurial dream. I loved project management – taking an idea and growing it into a product just makes me happy. My corporate job was great, but I couldn’t put the dream to rest.
My friends will tell you that I am extremely creative in a Martha Stewart meets Lauren Conrad kind of way and that I love to plan events. It’s true, I do. I quickly realized that planning an event is very similar to project management. There are the HR skills, such as building the team to create your event; the operational skills of planning and production; and lastly the financial skills of budgeting and scheduling expenditures. Planning events is project management with food and decor!
So, I decided to produce events was the perfect marriage of my project management skills and my creativity. And since I had already created a non-profit foundation from the ground up, I knew I could learn on my feet. I’m a big believer in baptism by fire.
So, with the fire lit, I jumped in. Stephanie Rose Events was born. I started with corporate events and nonprofit fundraisers – events where I had previous experience. A friend suggested I try wedding planning. “No way!” I replied. I was terrified of something going wrong and ruining a couple’s one and only wedding day. But once I produced my first wedding, I was hooked. I fell in love with building the perfect vendor team for the couple, planning the unique details, putting out fires, and celebrating love and hope. Now I almost exclusively plan weddings and I could not be happier.
Has it been a smooth road?
When I first started producing weddings, I realized I had a lot to learn. I sought out the help of more experienced planners and they helped me bridge my knowledge gap. I have been blessed with women colleagues and mentors who are always ready with answers whenever I ask. Now I am honored when women new to the industry ask me for advice.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Stephanie Rose Events – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Weddings have gone from something I said I would never do, to my full-time job and passion. I take in pride in getting to know my clients and finding what makes them special as a couple. Then, I can incorporate those details into their celebration. Guests at my clients’ weddings will know they are in the right place, because the energy and the details reflect the couple, not because their names are on the welcome sign. I am happy, detail-obsessed, energetic and tenacious, and I really do care about my couples.
Who have you been inspired by?
Stephanie Rose Events is named in honor of two very special women, my grandmothers, Stephanie Garbaczewski and Rose Collins.
Stephanie played the piano, enjoyed Ukrainian folk dancing and was proud of family traditions. She was close to her mother and the two spent days cooking holiday feasts for their family.
Rose was a spirited woman who loved the color purple, big, sparkly jewelry and lots of perfume. She had lots of friends and enjoyed traveling.
Very different women, both were born into strong families of modest means and raised in New York City. And even though they never met, together, they built a family based on faith and love. My family continues to celebrate their traditions. The blending of families and the hopes of each is what I love best about weddings and marriage.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://stephanieroseevents.com
- Phone: 858-461-8423
- Email: kristin@stephanieroseevents.com
- Instagram: stephanie_rose_events
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/stephroseevents
Image Credit:
Melissa McClure Photography, Heather Elise Photography
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