Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bethany Gdula. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Bethany, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My dad has an incredible work ethic. He finds joy in working. I believe he would prefer to work over vacation any day. I tease my mother often about her need to always be productive. Watching a movie with her at home can be exhausting. It will be paused at a minimum of 3 times so we can change out the laundry, vacuum the floors, etc. We were raised to find a sense of fulfillment in a hard day’s work. I do feel a rush of dopamine at the end of a busy week or checking the last box off of a long to do list.
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?
I’ve been married for 6 years to my best (and coincidentally, my only) employee, Ryan. He’s encouraged me every step of the way and has been a MASSIVE help to me! We have a two year old sunshine boy named Luca, and 3 month old identical twin boys, Lane and Haze. My boys are my whole world!
I am originally from Kentucky, but I’ve bounced from Alabama to South Carolina since I graduated high school.
I started planning parties & decor 10 years ago when a youth ministry I volunteered for started hosting fun nights for kids & teens. I look back on those days with such gratefulness in my heart. I would not be doing what I am now or be where I am now without the people who supported in those days. With every friend or family celebration, I would try to learn a new skill or try something new. I really enjoy working on all the details. Balloons are a staple of any good celebration, so over the years I had lots of practice.
I’ve only honed my skills by being surrounded by some of the best party throwers & celebrators I’ve ever known.
When my son had his first birthday, I wanted to do bigger and better than ever. My husband is the best DIY guy I know, and he graciously helps me with all my crazy ideas. We made giant marquee letters to put my son’s name in lights, and we installed a large balloon display. After that party, my friends and family encouraged us to go for it and start a business. That was the start of Party Pretty Co!
Initially I thought I would be an event planner for birthday parties and small events, but the demand has really been for balloons and marquee letters/numbers. We have partnered with several local party planners, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to work with some very talented entrepreneurs in the party industry here in the Charleston area.
Life should be celebrated- period. Every day is a gift from the Lord. I believe He is the best celebrator there is. The Bible says that He dances over us. I love that imagery. There are days worth celebrating big. My sister teases me often and says I can be “over the top” when it comes to events, but I truly believe to celebrate and honor the people you love is a holy thing.
We love big & celebrate big around here! It means the world to be able to help my family by doing something I love!
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?
Practice, practice, practice. If you are good at what you do, everything else will follow. You don’t have to know what you’re doing to start. Just start! Don’t be afraid to step out of your norm and try to do things differently than you’ve always done them previously.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The Linchpin by Seth Godin is such a great read. It inspires you indispensable to those that surround you. It really has framed a lot of the ways I think about work and family life.
Contact Info:
- Website: Partyprettyco.com
- Instagram: @partyprettyco
- Facebook: /partyprettyco
Image Credits
Salt + Light Lifestyle Photography by Aimee Perdue
