Meet Wanda Gaines

We were lucky to catch up with Wanda Gaines recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Wanda, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
As a darker skin, tall and skinny girl with big eyes. I was told by my mother who calls me Princess that I was beautiful. She said it all the time and still does. So even when a couple of kids tried to pick on me for being black meaning darker skin or having big eyes and calling me ugly. I didn’t care I was very confident within myself that I was beautiful because of my Mother Rose! I always walked tall with my head up, and shoulders back once I learned about modeling because I wanted to be a model. I later started hearing other people say I was a beautiful girl. Watching my mother be confident as a beautiful dark skin woman and bold in her choices as woman also built my confidence. I also have an Aunt that lived in my neighborhood that was a business woman and Pastor and she was bold as a person in action and deed that helped me be bold in speaking publicly and handling business matters and developing community initiatives. This helped me gain confidence to do the same in Business and Community.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m the owner of New Outlook Events

New Outlook Events provides several service’s individually or combined.

Full Coordination-coordinates your event of any kind. We have a consultation to discuss your vision and the budget (the amount you are willing to pay to fulfill your vision). Once hired, I locate your venues, vendors (ie: Catering, Photographer, Videographer, Disco Jockey (DJ), Florists, Decorator, Cake/Treats designers, Rentals, Entertainment, etc.) negotiate contracts, provide unlimited consultations throughout the process. I provide you with updates periodically or as much as requested and/or as necessary. Provide event timelines for everyone.

​​Day of Coordination- (offered as a stand alone service if there isn’t a need for a full service coordinator) which includes if applicable a wedding rehearsal the day before the wedding, obtaining all vendors information confirm areas vendors are setting up, providing a timeline and ensuring all the vendors arrival times are set up and that they arrive on time at the venue.​ Ensure proper set up of the venue, managing the event and ensuring that everything runs smoothly assisting or directing guest to find areas of the venue and assisting clients with questions or other small task. Managing the event timeline as well to ensure proper flow.

If you need a Mistress of Ceremony ​​(Emcee, M.C.) I provide that service as well to keep the event going and energy up.

​I also can provide design and decor for an event along with one of the above listed services.

​My goal is always to make your visions into reality!

As a hobby I created Naturally2Pretty which is my homemade Rose Water Facial Mist Spray for all skin types available for sale.

Also I under the business New Outlook Events host as the founder an Annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom in Polk City, Florida.

New Outlook Events
www.newoutlookevents.com
Email: Wanda@newoutlook.vip
Facebook: New Outlook Events
Instagram: New Outlook
Phone: 863-624-7772

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?
Encourage!

We need encouraging from others it is important, encouraging yourself is even more important and encouraging others is extremely important!

Never give up!

Doing things consistently can be hard for many and even if you don’t find it hard overall in some areas when you just don’t understand what to do, when to do or where to do, don’t give up. Keep doing what you know to do and get knowledge from somewhere else to help your progress.

Get a mentor and/or consultant!

Having a mentor or business consultant helps develop you as an individual and in your business foundation. To help you on your journey. I’d say doing the following is necessary. First, set up properly to succeed which involves setting up the business legally with the state and county, obtaining EIN, figuring out your brand, your brand colors, your logo, your slogan, setting up a phone number, email, fax, mailing, banking, website or social media. Find a lawyer, accountant, investment options for retirement, medical, life, and business and disability insurance. Being active everyday with your business. Have a reason for your business, explore what other businesses do to stay relevant, learn as much as possible. Build a Dream Team to address every aspect of your business, and get out of your head, stop holding yourself back.

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?
Angelice Smith

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Joyce Coakley Photography DfilmK Photography Antwann Mitchell Photography

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