We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tirrell Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Tirrell 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?
Truthfully, I never rest. I know that this sounds exhausting and sometimes it is. Even when I am sleeping – I am dreaming. I am dreaming of my current project or the next.
I developed a non-stop work ethic as a teenager. While in high school, I learned to balance schoolwork, an internship, a part-time job, relationships, church volunteerism, and club leadership roles. I maintain that same drive to this day. My drive does not come without downfalls; burnout is real. Whenever I feel burned out, I intentionally schedule time with family. My family remains a safe space where I can let my hair down and escape from the cares of the world.
I am results driven and as a leader, I hold myself accountable first. It has taken me many years to develop my work ethic and although the years keep ticking away, I aim to only get better every year.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is Tirrell Lael Johnson and I am an event planner, coordinator and visual storyteller. I am the owner of Lael Events – an event planning service whose mission is to serve our clients and partners with total professionalism and class, while paying close attention to all the details. We aim to exceed excellence in Event Planning, Décor, Event Coordinating, Event Management, and Event Planner Consulting. We curate the most exceptional events with a future forward mindset, while setting the bar high with our deliverables. We partner with our clients to bring their vision to fruition.
Every year that passes – I fall deeper and deeper in love with event planning. It is something about meeting new people, serving clients, and curating the most special, memorable, and magical events. I put my all into what I do with passion. There is something incredible about making something out of nothing. There is no better feeling than that of walking into an empty room and visualizing all the possibilities. It is magic! It’s God constantly downloading this gift into me over and over. I am grateful and my life is a reminder of His unmerited favor.
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?
Passion, confidence, and faith are 3 qualities that were most impactful in my journey in event planning.
Passion – I nurtured my passion for design by observing the world around me. I enjoy watching trends and pushing to remain one step ahead of what others in the industry are doing. I believe that to remain passionate it is imperative that you become a lifelong student of your craft. I love working with fresh florals. Anyone who knows florals understands that arranging flowers takes practice and patience. I let passion drive me as I learned which flowers to pair, how to properly cut them, and how to best preserve them. In my opinion, passion is key to long-term success.
Confidence – I know that everyone has faced feelings of doubt or inadequacy at some point in life. I remember being new at this and looking and watching those who had some level of success in the industry. If I ever found myself comparing my work to others, I would check myself quickly and remind myself as I remind you today – You have everything you need inside of you to do and become whatever it is you desire and invest your gift towards.
Faith – I often reflect on who I am. I know that my life is grounded by faith. My decisions are governed by my faith. The successes that I have today are due to placing my hope in God. I remember telling God that I was ready. I reminded Him of His promises to me and I backed up my end by putting my faith in Him and His plan for my future. I remember a season in my life of aimless actions. In the present – I do not make any decisions without consulting the Father in prayer.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
While studying for the Event & Meeting Planning Certificate Program my instructor posed the question to the class, “Who is your ideal client?” My answer has changed over time. Experience has been a great teacher. I once simply wanted to produce events. I would accept any client and work with anyone. Time and experience have taught me to choose wisely. We live, learn, and move forward. My clients must want the best and expect the best. This comes with a premium. I give my all as an event planner. I give my passion, my time, love, and respect to what I am blessed to do. My ideal client must understand that they cannot abuse my gift nor shortchange the time, effort, and sacrifices that come along with this great work.
I absolutely love working with clients who are style conscious, who bask in innovative ideas, who enjoy the finer things in life, and know how to have a good time. I enjoy working with clients who challenge me by presenting their vision and who allow me to get into their minds and run with their vision. I’m driven by making their special day timeless, treasured, and magical!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thelaelevents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lael.events/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaelEvents/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tirrelljohnson
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LaelEvents
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laelevents
