Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Rowland.
Deanna, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
We had just recently lost my Dad who suffered a heart attack that completely blindsided us. I was celebrating five years of being cancer free and my husband (at the time) was just laid off. It was a terribly challenging time but I knew it was the only time. I was working as an office manager for a private school and had been for over ten years. I knew that there was something else out there for me but I needed a little help to figure it out. I called a friend from college who had recently started a career coaching business for women. She gave me some homework to do and the next thing you know my good friend Mindy was helping me create my website.
I have always been a planner. I love to plan gatherings, dinner parties, birthday parties, super bowl…you name it. I am in. I decided to take this love of celebrating and turn it into a business. I have learned that life is short and we need to celebrate everything. Especially the people in our lives and that is how this little business of mine got its name. My inspiration not only came from my Dad who loved people and was the life of the party but also my love of music. I have always been a Dave Matthews Band fan and the lyric “Celebrate we will for life is short but sweet for certain” has become my mission statement in this short but very sweet life.
Has it been a smooth road?
Struggles have become somewhat normal in my life. I was diagnosed in 2009 with uterine cancer. My husband (at the time) and I had to make the decision at 29 years old if I should have surgery that would make me infertile or do hormone replacement therapy that wasn’t a guaranteed cure. We both decided that my health was more important and we could figure out how to have kids later. We ended up going through the fertility treatments and four years later my best friend offered to be our surrogate. It was the gift of life. I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude. My husband became very brave with needles (he only panicked once-ha!) and next thing you know we had a “textbook” embryo. We got a phone call from the doctor that the pregnancy didn’t take. Our hearts were broken. Our family & friends had rallied for us, donated money, and we had to tell them the terrible news. It has been a long journey of grief since this loss but I have no regrets. I am so, so grateful for all of the support we received. What an incredible gift we were given, despite the results.
Unfortunately soon after I started my business, my husband ended our marriage. I was completely derailed. I thought this was it for me. I can’t survive this one. It had only been three years since we lost my Dad and now my husband is gone. Nine years of marriage and this was the end. It was the hardest thing I have ever faced. I am in a much better place now, three years later. Feeling grateful for my story and stronger because of it! We can do hard things.
Tell us more about your work.
I help people celebrate everything! I have done anything from a one year old birthday party to corporate events. I love to see people in the present moment celebrating and not worrying about refilling the drinks! It can be overwhelming and stressful to throw a party or host an event and I don’t want people to stop celebrating because of that stress. I am there to worry about the details so they don’t have to. I was doing a 40th birthday party at a family’s home and as I was grabbing some dishes to take into the kitchen I caught a glimpse of the hosts dancing and laughing and they were completely in the moment. This is why I love my job.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I am proud to be a woman who is a business owner and I hope this trend continues. I am so grateful for all of the women in my life who have supported me and my business. It was a huge risk for me and I had no idea if I would be successful at all. I hope to continue to grow my business and connect with other women. We are powerful!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.celebrateeverythingevents.com
- Email: deanna@celebrateeverythingevents.com
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
