We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Billy Francesca a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Billy, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
To be honest, I’m typically the only one in the room who looks like me, lol. Wearing 5 1/2 platform heels, being 6’1 and wearing a dress and having a beard, I pretty much stand out where ever I go. Being effective isn’t always easy. There have been many events, over the years where time and time again, I had to prove myself, even when the reputation and my knowledge of events were the reason I was brought in. It can get frustrating, however, that is what leads to success.
Believing in your own idea, and ability, and being able to follow through on that vision, is what adds to your effectiveness and success, in no matter what area of work you are in. I am always open to new ideas and concepts, but I have learned to commit and stick to the “vision in my head”, has that as always served me well.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As owner of Billy Francesca Events , and an events coordinator and drag host, there are no shortage of fun events, with many different people, and many venues. From being the longest running Pride host in West Hollywood, and hosting weekly events at Revolver in WEHO, hotels, like Mama Shelter in Hollywood for monthly Bingo, my events run the gamut!
One of the best features of hosting and producing events, is the range of people I get to interact with. Recently I hosted and produced a Drag Bingo Game and Show, for a corporate event for about 250 people from all over the country.
I love an opportunity to do what I love, and share that fun with new people.
Most recently starting another company, (DB Nightlife) as a booking agency for DJ’s, Dancers, and Drag Performers.
I am in the unique position of being booked for so many different events, and having a large number of contacts for events to help produce, it made sense to, “spread that magic around”.
It has been a great career for myself and the more people I can help and events I can host, the Better!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
From very early on, and not just with my current work, but I would go as far as to say other jobs I have had over the years, one of the main qualities that has served me well, is an ability to see everything that is going on around me, not just the immediate matters that concern me as a host. Most events have more going on than people realize, and having situational awareness in those situations is a great help. Other people appreciate it when you aren’t “only concerned” with your task at hand, but aware of the other jobs going on around you. Chef’s and caterer’s are the best! They work all over and know everyone. I’ve been known to bus tables, collect glasses, basically just “Pitch In” when I can. This has gotten me more work than I can tell you! Save everyones contact info! I keep contacts of everyone I work with, people may change jobs, venues, area’s where you met them from, however, I get calls from people I use to cater with, who now run companies, you just never know who is gong to see you at work, and suggest you for another gig. So many of my corporate events come from an employee attending another event of mine, and suggesting me for an event. Most of the time, saving those people’s contact info and connection, will be a huge boost for work.
I know this is going to sound super corny, but I send notes, cards and thank you’s after an event. People appreciate a hand written thank you. I think it’s a great way to set yourself apart from the “email or text” world and let someone know you took the time to actually mail out a card. I mean, I have so many little fun stationary notes, I love just a quick, thank you. People really remember that.
How would you describe your ideal client?
I mean an Ideal client, is someone who has a strong sense of the idea that they want, while being able to trust the person they hire to achieve that. I love working with people who give me the, broad strokes, of what they are looking for, and then letting me run with that. I believe that being aware of what the client wants, and adding your own brand of magic to it, makes for a fantastic union of ideas and new opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: billyfrancesca.com
- Instagram: billyfrancesca
- Facebook: billyfrancesca
- Twitter: billyfrancesca
- Other: dbnightlife.com
