We recently connected with Karen Landis and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Karen, 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?
The first time you walk into a room and notice you’re the only person in it who looks like you, it can be hard to muster up the courage to walk into a similar room again. To be successful, you have to keep showing up. Keep placing yourself in those rooms all the while maintaining confidence in yourself and your abilities. There’s a reason you’re there in the first place and it has nothing to do with the way you look. It’s about who you are and what you’re proficient at. I keep this front of mind, no matter which room I am walking into.
Here’s the thing: How you behave and think is the part you can control. The part you can’t control is how other people will respond to you and treat you back. I have heard some wild things walking into rooms and meeting people face to face for the first time. “You’re Indian? I had no idea! You don’t sound Indian on the phone.” To be successful in spaces where I may be an outlier because of my image, I go out of my way to do things that make me feel confident. I dress to impress, I RSVP, I review the guest list, I arrive on time, and most importantly, I show up. Because if there’s one thing I want you to know, besides my name, what I do, and that I do it well. I want you to know that I am consistent.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a wedding planner and designer based in Atlanta, but I will craft events anywhere. Our company is actively in its 8th year of business and we are still just as in love with what we do as when we got started! Being an integral part of the genesis of marriages is something we will always feel honored to call a profession.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Top three would be keen organization, looking at spaces/venues intuitively, and empathy.
Keen organization is vital to be a great wedding planner. You have to manage so many key details in a timely manner for multiple clients at the same time. All the while making each client feel like they are your main focus and highest priority. Procrastination and dilly-dallying cannot live on your planet. You have to stay focused and on top of details at all times. Powerful CRMs and workflows are integral in ensuring you can manage everything appropriately. Oh, and delegating. It’s crucial to outsource what you are less proficient at to be able to operate with your strengths.
When just getting started, schedule venue tours and move through the space as if you were a guest attending an event. This will help you understand the pain points of a space, how guest flow will work best, and what considerations you would need to keep in mind when planning for the space. Guest experience drives our planning processes because ultimately that’s what our clients care the most about.
Planning a wedding is stressful. When planning gets tumultuous, I always operate from a place of empathy. You never know what someone is dealing with behind the scenes. It’s also why I don’t believe in the words “bridezilla” or “groomzilla”. Brides and Grooms have so many people in their ears from the time they get engaged and beyond. It’s overwhelming and profuse emotions, positive and negative, are natural. It’s important to keep this in mind in every conversation and meet people where they are at.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Business: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz – This book was a cold bucket of water to the face. It revolutionized the way I run my business and allowed me to scale our profits considerably. It’s a fairly quick read and very entertaining while also being very informative. I recommend this book to any business owner, no matter what industry.
Life: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig – This book is like a warm cup of coffee for your soul. It made me appreciate the gift of the life I have been given and redefined my view on challenging situations. It’s a great perspective on human existence.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.popandfizz.com
- Instagram: @popandfizz
Image Credits
Taylor English Photography McSween Photography Wild Heart Visuals
