Meet Hannah Davis

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hannah Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Hannah, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Some of my parents’ favorite stories to tell about me as a child include similar sentiment – I knew what I wanted from a young age and I was stubborn as all get-out. My family teases me about being the only 8th grader in the room of a college-planning seminar. Years early, I knew where I wanted to attend and I was determined to start preparing. They recall my determination as unwavering and at times (exhaustedly) relentless. Fast forward to my second semester of college: I came to the realization that I did not want to pursue the career or even field of study I thought I had always wanted. Mind = blown.

I remember analyzing results of skills assessments, hobbies/activities that brought me joy, and comparing my strengths and growth areas against the career I thought I wanted. The data in front of me, and my gut, made it obvious that this wasn’t something I’d be successful, or happy, pursuing. I remember asking my friends to turn the radio down (hellooooo, I’m in an existential crisis here!!) while I called my mom in tears. After a calming word, a trip to my advisor’s office, and some time to reflect (and rethink my last decade of planning!), I came to the following conclusion:

I was put on this earth to connect with people. I find joy in helping others. I love a good problem that makes you work for a creative solution. To my amazement, I learned that there is a job where planning (ding, ding, ding), communication, organization, and attention-to-detail can be put to good use. I just didn’t know that career was called event planning!

Finding my “why”, as I call it, required adaptability (even if the process involved me kicking and screaming against the change), listening to my body when it was signaling that something wasn’t clicking, and being open to a bit of self-exploration. In truth, it was really uncomfortable. Now, approaching the end of the first year as the owner of my own event planning business, Evara Events, I am thankful for the risk college-Hannah took to forge a new path. Current-Hannah is very grateful to wake up each day to the opportunity to live out this dream.

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?

Evara Events, is a Denver-based premier event planning company, specializing in full-service, partial planning, and day-of coordination. We service weddings, corporate and nonprofit industries, and other special occasions.

When building my business plan, one of the first things I established were company values: Joy, Community, Connection, Client-Obsessed Service, and Inclusion. I believe when businesses approach their work with a “true-north” in mind, we are able to offer a different level of care and commitment to our clients that’s evident in our end product and level of service. Don’t get me wrong, it’s breathtaking to craft Gatsby-worthy events and reach final deliverables under-budget, but there is no greater joy than starting with an inquiry form and [months later] finishing that client’s event having gotten to know them on a person level, with a genuine love and care for them as humans.

One of the biggest honors of my career has been receiving feedback like: “My granddaughter had the wedding of her dreams in large part due to Hannah! I’m upright and sucking air thanks to her!”, “I came to every meeting knowing she had everything covered.”, “Hannah definitely ‘heard my heart’ and transformed our day…” from clients.

I think that’s part of what makes us different; as a boutique event planning company, we intentionally limit the amount of events we book each year. Our maximum number of events is significantly less than many other companies in the industry – that’s done with extreme intentionality. I want to get to know each client and have the ability to craft their day with the same meticulousness and care I’d expect of someone planning my own daughter’s wedding. If I’m not able to offer THAT level of service, I won’t accept more clients in that time frame.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’ve described at length the importance of adaptability. Not only with finding my path to event planning, but it remains important while working in any human-centered field. People change – needs change – variables are always introducing themselves in a way that causes you to pivot. Remaining flexible is essential to delivering quality service and quality results.

The second essential I recommend for all young professionals is to assume a learners posture. To be frank, this means say “yes!” to every opportunity that allows you experience, mentoring, and growth. There is no job that is “beneath” you or out of your job description. You can find meaning in ANY task thrown your way. Even (especially!) the mundane, lower-level responsibilities you feel like you’re more experienced than. Let me give an example – when I started out as a seasonal intern for an event planning company in college I was assigned tasks like inventorying decor, cold-calling volunteers for an upcoming fundraiser, and standing at a trade show table (that I didn’t get to help design) promoting a business that I wasn’t yet earning money from. Talk about “grunt-work”. Years later I have skills like organization, data management, effective communication (and influencing techniques), and design that I pull directly from those experiences. No, it wasn’t the flashy, glamorous event work I thought I’d be doing; that came later. But they are essential skills that I resort to every day now that I am the one leading the work. Beyond those skills, I made connections back then that have turned into clients or referrals, earned business from what started out as volunteer work, and proven myself to be one of the most comprehensive planners in the Denver area BECAUSE I spent the time learning all levels and aspects of the trade. Never underestimate the power remaining humble and hungry!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Collaboration is my middle name! In the connection-making business of events, I work with all sorts of creatives: venues, florists, photographers, (any/all vendors, really). I also make life easier for corporations, nonprofits, community groups, and individuals.

My services span from events that focus on an individual/family like weddings and vow renewals, to group events like fundraisers, retreats, and professional celebrations.

You can contact me at evaraeventco@gmail.com to learn more or start our adventure together.

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