Interview with Pamela Archer, President, Pamela’s Exclusive Floral & Event Design
Tell us about your business.
We are a full-service wedding and event planning company, specializing in unique and elegant floral design. From invitations to props and draping, special lighting, amd place cards, we tend to every detail of your event. We can bring your vision to reality, or if you don’t know where to begin, we can create a magical experience for you.
While the majority of our business, to date, has been in the wedding industry, we would like to expand into the corporate market. I have a talented team of designers. We will travel.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
There are many challenges that come with being a business owner, but they only drive me to overcome and come out on top. Being able to control my work load, my work day, and have the freedom to express myself through design is a blessing. I thrive on the pride I feel that I have built an entity from the ground up, and that it is flourishing. That’s empowerment. As the chief cook and bottle washer, I have the advantage of surrounding myself with positive and talented people who, by the outstanding quality of their work, motivate me to be the best I can be.
My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic. We were told we could do anything we put our minds to do. While I didn’t plan to own an event design business, it developed into a full-fledged business after several brides asked me to do their wedding flowers and decorations. Word-of-mouth brought more clients, and here I am nearly a decade later, the President of a corporation. Archer Fitness Consultants, Inc. is the mother corporation, and Pamela’s Exclusive Floral & Event Design is a subsidiary of the corporation. I never doubted that it would. Hard work and persistence are a part of my being. Failure isn’t in my vocabulary.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
In the event design business, there are many industry leaders that I have learned from, but Preston Bailey has profoundly influenced me. I have read about him, how he started his business, and how he treats his clients. I think we are twins, separated at birth! He got the A-List crowd, to which I aspire, but I also love helping the low budget brides to achieve a beautiful look for their weddings, too.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
In the realm of the event design industry, having the honor to be chosen to pen the first book in the “99 Things You Wish Before…” has given me a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and has encouraged my efforts as an aspiring author, to finish other books that are in progress.
In the fitness realm, to be chosen out of thousands of fitness instructors, to be one of five others to do a national TV fitness show for Jenny Craig, Int’l was a highlight of my life.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
It is crucial that you are passionate about your business, or you will not succeed. Because, it is the passion that gets you out of bed in the morning to attach another 14-16 hour day with energy and a positive attitude. Your customers will know, because it reveals itself in customer service and interaction.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
Go the extra mile. This is how you build a base of customers and clients.
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you succeed?
Boomer Diva Nation http://www.boomerdivanation.org consists of women from across the U.S., Australia, and Canada, who are experts in their various fields. The collective knowledge, wisdom, and support I have gained from being a member of this organization has propelled my business forward.
Local networking with vendors in your sphere of influence is mandatory. Establishing a referral system is key to gaining a marketing edge on your competition. Organizations such as BNI (Business Networking International) is a way to do this.
Join your local Chamber of Commerce and build relationships with the people who run your city or town. Work side-by-side your potential customers by volunteering in a concession stand or other community projects. Get involved in a civic group, such as Kiwanas, or Ruritan. People do business with people they trust. This is a great way to build trust.
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
I want to expand outside my local market, and do events of larger scale.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Follow your heart and your passion. Be true to yourself.
How can our readers find you online?
Web site: http://www.pamelaseventdesign.com
Blog site: http://idoweddings.wordpress.com
Fitness Blog: http://archerfitpress.wordpress.com
Facebook: pamelaarcher
Linkedn: pamelaarcher
Twitter: pamelaarcher
Naymz: pamelaarcher