We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Frank Shaver-Burgess a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Frank with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I think I get my work ethic from my parents. My mom immigrated to the United States from Mexico about 35 years ago, looking for a better life and more opportunities. My dad grew up in Arizona, worked for the railroad, and was on call daily. Both of them worked their tails off to support our family and provide. From an early age, my dad told me, “If you want something done, you’ll need to do it yourself.” I interpreted that as if I want to achieve something whether that be a goal, a job, or getting into college then I would need to figure out how to make that happen.
Regarding work, I am constantly figuring out how to move work forward while making a difference and serving others. I realize that I have been very blessed when it comes to my work, and I don’t take it for granted. The biggest compliment I can get is when someone recognizes my talent and capacity and trusts me to join them in the work they’ve got going, too. Knowing there’s always something to get done or someone to help makes me want to work harder.
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 planner based in Orange County, California, specializing in LGBTQ+ weddings. After getting engaged in 2020 and beginning my search for wedding pros in my area, I quickly noticed the lack of representation and that there wasn’t a wedding planner specializing in weddings like mine. Fast forward a couple of years, and here I am as a wedding planner helping couples, queer or not, plan the wedding of their dreams! The reason I love LGBTQ+ weddings, in particular, is because there are no rules. We get to have fun with design and create an event you and your guests will remember for years to come.
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?
The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that had the most impact on my journey have been my ability to connect with people, my leverage of the skills I have built in the hospitality industry, and my love of serving others. These qualities and skills were developed through various roles, higher education, and practice. My advice to folks early in their journey is not to be too hard on yourself by placing unattainable expectations. Nobody starts their career knowing what they’re doing. Getting good at what you do and what you can offer the world takes time, patience, and a lot of ups and downs. Give yourself a little grace because the learning you have along the way will make you stronger later on. And speaking of learning, take every opportunity to further your education. Furthering your education could be in a formal setting like a University, or it can also mean taking seminars about your given field or reading a self-help book. The important thing is never to stop learning.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
While I can’t think of a single person who stands out to me the most, I can think about a collective of individuals I consider mentors, advisors, or close friends. Michelle Obama calls this her kitchen table; some call it their village; others might call it their board of directors. Regardless of what you call it, the close group of people in your life that you can go to for advice, encouragement, or a dose of much-needed reality is vital to your success. I am a product of all the people that believed in me and gave me a chance. And when I need a little help or just a pep-talk, I know I can go to my kitchen table/village/boardroom and hear precisely what I need to hear (notice I didn’t say hear what I want to hear).
We are not meant to do this thing called life alone. The people you surround yourself with can make or break you, so choose wisely.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eventsbyfrank.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventsbyfrank/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frankshaverburgess/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankhburgess/
Image Credits
Todd Danforth Photography Ashley LaPrade Photography Peterson Design & Photography Kim-Trang Photography
Cover Photo: The Lounge Booth https://www.
