Bottle Pop Party Co. Turns One!

As of yesterday, my pride and joy, Bottle Pop Party Co. is one year old! And it's been a fantastic year. So many people have trusted me with taking over their events and making them cute and I couldn't be happier or more appreciative. I know a lot (A LOT) of people don't see the value in hiring an event planner. It's hard to fork over money based on experience and promises. I mean, that's really all I have, isn't it? I have pictures to show my experience and I've got promises...ohhhhhh I've got promises. Promises of bringing ideas you saw on the internet to life. Promises of bringing ideas you've never even thought of! Promises of doing my very best to make people happy and to make them feel like I was worth it.

I started this business hoping that it would take off. Duh, everyone would hope that, right? But I actually never wanted it to be too big where it would take away from my job #,1 wife and mom. And while I think I could do for a few more clients, I think I've managed to strike a pretty good balance of work/play. I spend my naptimes, nights and weekends working on parties and my days (and nights) working on my boys.

Of course, since I posted some answers to your burning questions, things have definitely changed. Since Gabe has gotten older, he actually needs more attention. He wants to be outside, moving and doing. Sure, we still have quiet playtime and some TV time where he can hang by himself and I can get a quick phone call or two in but my time to devote to the business during the day has been shifted. I used to be able to crack open my laptop while he played next to me and get things done but now every time he sees the computer, he asks to play games. Attempts at "playing" Pinterest have failed.

I've had to change my outlook on pricing too. A custom quote sounded good to me. Wouldn't everyone want a custom quote? Paying for what they wanted and not what everyone else wanted? Well it turns out, people want a price. They want to know right off the bat if you're in their ballpark. This is sort of a no-brainer because I'm that person. I don't want to waste someone's time if I can't afford them. But then again, I'm on a budget and very cost-conscious. The thing is...event planning is sort of a luxury service, right? If you can afford an event planner, you probably won't bat an eye at a reasonable fee.

This brings me to some frustrations I've felt over the past year. I've had so many inquiries that ask my pricing right off the bat. They don't want to fill out a form and wait for me to craft a quote for them. So I changed my pricing structure and have started giving pricing. I never hear from most of those people again. And honestly, it's not because my fees are outrageous. It's because they had a number in their head for what an event planner should cost and my number didn't match up. Happens all the time. It's still disappointing when it happens. And especially when you don't even get a response, not even a "Thanks but I'm going to go a different route or Not in my budget." I'm fine with those, I know not everyone will hire me but man, I sure would like them too!

And guys, it's not all what color paper straws should we get?!?  There are so many elements to this job that aren't totally fun but are very necessary. Dealing with taxes (ugh) to people that don't return phone calls to people that don't pay you. But dealing with those things is a small price to pay to tell people that I own a company. Yes, it's a small (teeny) one but it's mine and it's legit and damn it, it's a lot of work on top of my other gig.

I've got some fun things lined up for Bottle Pop this year and I can't wait to share them all with you. You guys have been such a big part of supporting my little dream and I appreciate all the support from you this past year. I think this calls for cupcakes all around today, yeah?