We recently connected with Meredith Sipe Sumner and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Meredith, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
“You Grow Through What You Go Through” – Embracing Resilience as a Business Owner
Resilience is not just a concept to me; it’s a lived experience. Having battled sexual trauma, the tragic loss of my grandparents, a tumultuous divorce, and stage 3 breast cancer, I’ve learned firsthand how adversity can shape and strengthen us. Through these profound challenges, I’ve embraced the mindset that “you grow through what you go through,” and this perspective has guided my journey as a business owner.
My career began as a music teacher, a profession I dedicated over twelve years to. However, as I navigated a difficult divorce while raising a child and earning a degree in educational leadership, I felt a powerful urge to forge a new path. The combination of these personal and professional transitions ignited a desire to explore entrepreneurship.
In the summer of 2014, I took a leap of faith and left my teaching career behind. Fueled by a deep-seated belief in my own capabilities and the skills I had honed, I launched Blue Fancy Events, an event planning company focused primarily on Wisconsin-based weddings. This decision was not made lightly, but with the conviction that my experience and personal resilience would translate into success in a new arena.
Since then, I’ve expanded my entrepreneurial endeavors to include Light as a Feather Events (a sister company to Blue Fancy Events). Both companies represents a facet of my passion for creativity and excellence in event planning and creation. The challenges I’ve faced have only strengthened my resolve and provided invaluable lessons in adaptability, empathy, and leadership.
Resilience, for me, is about more than overcoming obstacles; it’s about leveraging those experiences to build a future defined by growth and possibility. My journey has taught me that every challenge can be an opportunity for growth, and I carry this belief into every aspect of my business. It’s this resilience that continues to drive me forward and inspires me to help others celebrate their special moments with grace and joy.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At Blue Fancy Events and Light as a Feather Events, we are dedicated to creating memorable and distinctive experiences through event planning and design. Each of my businesses serves a unique purpose:
Blue Fancy Events specializes in private estate tented weddings. We take pride in transforming picturesque outdoor settings into elegant and personalized wedding venues. From intimate garden ceremonies to grand marquee receptions, our focus is on crafting events that seamlessly blend luxury with the natural beauty of our clients’ private estates.
Light as a Feather Events caters to weddings held at established venues. Our expertise lies in working within the parameters of various event spaces to enhance their inherent charm and create memorable celebrations. Whether it’s a historic mansion, a modern loft, or a charming lodge, we bring a fresh perspective to each venue, ensuring that every event feels uniquely tailored to our clients’ visions.
What Makes It Special
What sets my businesses apart is the personalized approach we bring to every project. I believe in the power of creating meaningful experiences that resonate with both the hosts and their guests. My background in education and personal challenges has instilled in me a deep sense of empathy, creativity, and resilience, which I channel into every event we plan.
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our attention to detail and the genuine connections we build with our clients. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the joy and satisfaction on our clients’ faces as their visions come to life.
Exciting Developments
Looking ahead, I am thrilled to announce a few exciting developments:
Expansion of Services: We are expanding our range of services at Blue Fancy Events to include destination weddings and bespoke event design, allowing us to bring our expertise to clients seeking unique locations and customized experiences.
New Collaborations: We’re exploring new partnerships with local vendors and artisans to offer even more exclusive and creative options for our clients, ensuring that every event is as distinctive as it is memorable.
I’m excited about these new opportunities and look forward to continuing to serve our clients with the same dedication and creativity that has always been at the heart of our work.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Resilience: Overcoming personal and professional challenges has been a cornerstone of my journey. Resilience enabled me to persist through difficult times, adapt to change, and stay focused on my goals despite setbacks. It’s this inner strength that has helped me navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and continue to grow my businesses.
Advice for Others: To build resilience, embrace a mindset of learning and growth. View challenges as opportunities to develop new skills and perspectives. Surround yourself with a supportive network and practice self-care to maintain your mental and emotional well-being.
Creativity and Innovation: In the world of event planning, creativity is essential. Developing unique, tailored solutions for each client requires thinking outside the box and staying inspired. My ability to innovate has allowed me to create memorable events and set my businesses apart from the competition.
Advice for Others: Foster creativity by seeking inspiration from diverse sources, experimenting with new ideas, and staying curious. Regularly engage in activities that stimulate your imagination and keep an open mind to new possibilities.
Effective Communication: Building strong relationships with clients, vendors, and team members relies on clear and effective communication. Being able to articulate ideas, listen actively, and negotiate successfully has been crucial in ensuring that everyone is aligned and that events run smoothly.
Advice for Others: Improve communication skills by practicing active listening, being clear and concise in your messages, and seeking feedback. Engage in conversations that challenge your ability to articulate ideas and address conflicts constructively.
Developing These Skills
For those early in their journey, I recommend focusing on the following steps to develop these qualities and skills:
Seek Learning Opportunities: Invest time in courses, workshops, and mentorship that align with your interests and goals. Continuous learning will enhance your skills and expand your knowledge base.
Build a Support Network: Connect with other professionals and entrepreneurs who can offer guidance, share experiences, and provide support. Networking can open doors to valuable insights and opportunities.
Practice and Reflect: Regularly apply these skills in your work and personal life. Reflect on your experiences to understand what works well and what can be improved. Adapt your strategies based on your reflections and feedback from others.
Developing resilience, creativity, and effective communication takes time and effort, but these qualities are fundamental to building a successful and fulfilling career. Embrace the journey with a growth mindset, and be open to learning and evolving along the way.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
Ideal Client Characteristics
My ideal client is someone who values collaboration and is open to trusting the process of event planning. The key characteristics of an ideal client for me include:
Trusting and Collaborative: The most successful partnerships are built on mutual trust and open communication. Ideal clients are those who place their trust in my expertise and are willing to collaborate closely throughout the planning process. They understand that my role is to guide them through each step, ensuring that every detail aligns with their vision while navigating any challenges that arise.
Open to the Process: An ideal client appreciates that event planning is a journey with its own set of stages and timelines. They are open to following a structured process and understand that this approach is designed to achieve the best results. Clients who recognize the value in a well-organized process and are patient with the planning stages often find that their events are executed flawlessly and exceed their expectations.
Clear Vision and Communication: While my clients don’t need to have every detail figured out from the start, having a clear vision and being able to communicate their preferences and goals effectively is crucial. Ideal clients provide input and feedback that helps shape the direction of the event, while also being receptive to professional advice and recommendations.
The Importance of Trust
Trust is the foundation of our relationship. My goal is to guide clients confidently through the event planning process, ensuring that they feel supported and well-informed at every stage. By following a proven process and leveraging my expertise, I aim to steer clients in the right direction, allowing them to relax and enjoy the journey.
For clients who embrace these characteristics, the result is a seamless and enjoyable planning experience, culminating in a beautifully executed event that truly reflects their vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bluefancyevents.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_fancy_events
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluefancyevents
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-fancy-events-brookfield?rr=2
Image Credits
Photographers:
Paper Elephant
Meghan Lee Harris
Autumn Silva
Florists:
Bird & Bumble
Flowers for Dreams
Rentals:
Bartique Bars
Festive Frog
Event Essentials
Blue Peak
Relics Rentals
Venues / Caterers:
Shully’s
The George
Villa Terrace
Stationery:
Paper Envy
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
