We were lucky to catch up with Dee Pearson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dee, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Growing up, I had an amazing example of Aunts. They were all strong-willed and extremely nurturing to their nieces and nephews. The one that plays a major role in my confidence and self-esteem is my Aunt Daisy. She’s battled with multiple sclerosis for over 30 years and is a warrior to this day. She always saw the brighter side of things through the good and bad days. You cannot tell when she is not feeling her best on any given day because she thinks and speaks highly of herself. She is a faith-based person whose confidence is out of the roof. That mindset alone taught me that no matter what condition or state you are in, it’s all about the mindset or your mentality. The mind is a powerful thing, and throughout all the obstacles and challenges throughout my life, my confidence remains the same. Sky’s the limit, and you can do whatever your heart desires as long as you truly believe that. My aunt has always spoken and thought highly of herself regardless of her medical condition, which is why she’s been able to live her best life for more than seven decades.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a wedding and event planner. Being a part of a memorable moment is the most exciting. Life is so short, and special events play a huge role in creating moments that will live forever. As a child, I remember always attending family gatherings and events. Every event that I was a part of was impactful or influential. I can sleep well at night knowing that I was part of an unforgettable experience and memory that includes laughter, smiles, and fellowship, which reminds me that I am in the right industry. Event planning feels like my true calling.
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?
My three qualities would be determination, patience, and empathy.
I encourage those new on their journey to first find their passion. Your passion is something you’ll always enjoy and love to do every day. Passion, in combination with determination, makes things possible when things get challenging. I have built a successful business that has lasted this long because I am confident in knowing that wedding and event planning is my why.
As far as patience, my advice is to trust the process. If you truly trust the process, you will have no problem being patient. It all goes back to remembering the why. Being patient and not vying for perfection and things to go a certain way but striving to do your best will almost always yield a result far more significant than you could imagine. Being able not to panic, take a step back and see things for what they are in the moment and taking time to do what is needed provides a sense of clarity and grounded-ness every business owner needs.
It may sound like an old cliche, but it is always important to think before you speak. That’s where empathy comes into play. I have a heart for people, but I cannot say I’ve always known what empathy looks like. Having empathy is not like riding a bike it is a skill that must be intentional and practiced repeatedly. The advice I can give for being able to empathize consistently is to, again, another cliche, put yourself in the shoes of others and think about how the moment you are curating for them would feel for you if you were in their place.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
The most impactful thing my father did for me was raise me as his own. I grew up without my mother’s presence and did not know my birth father. My father, the biological father of my younger siblings’, took us in as a single father of four. Being the oldest, I had to grow up fast and be much more responsible than most young children have to be. Even with my responsibility, my father still gave me the freedom to be a child. My father sacrificed his life to care for us and ensure my siblings, and I had everything we needed and was well taken care of.
My father taking me in taught me the true meaning of family. I learned you do not have to be blood to be considered family. It opened my eyes to thinking of children who do not have traditional family structures. Every child deserves a good home and safe space, for someone to nurture and care for them as if there were their own. My father was that for me, and I am forever grateful to have him as a role model in what it means to care for someone.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.heydeeevents.com
- Instagram: @heydeeevents @heydee_officiant
- Facebook: HeyDee Events
Image Credits
Catch Fly Photography Khanetic Images Shawn Ashley Photo
