7 years ago, Natalia Yantso from Uzhgorod founded the gala event agency "Workshop of Holidays." Today she is successfully engaged in organizing birthday parties, corporate events, and, of course, weddings. Moreover, Natalia, as a wedding guru, is happy to share her knowledge and experience. She has been conducting seminars and workshops both for brides and for those who want to be in this line of work. She told us about how the "Workshop" was founded, about her successful experience, mistakes and oddities, perfect weddings and something about herself.
How the "Workshop" was founded
It all started around 2004. I got married then, we had a very modest wedding without any organization. For decor we used only some colored baloons and tulle. Then, a friend of mine once went to the United States and upon return said that there were special agencies there that organize special events and weddings. I read in the internet what it is and how it works, learned the experience, analyzed the local market and decided to try it.
Of course, there has always been a lot work on myself and on the business, but I am used to it – I started working back in the 11th grade. It was very modest and simple at first. At some point we realized that organization of weddings is not enough and we began to host them together with brother-in-law Serhiy. It gave us a good spur and our tandem turned out very successfull. And it is a completely different level – we are hosts, not toastmasters, as it used to be before. A host means an intelligent and nice holiday, and not just "Drink, drink!" and bad jokes.
In fact, we had an explosive growth only in 2011. But all this time, as well as now, we were working enthusiastically. Today, this industry is growing, and the market here is very thin and low-quality. I put a lot of effort, time and finances in my own development, attend workshops, and learn the successful experience, so when I sometimes see what they sell people and what they buy, I am shocked.
About the "Workshop of Holidays" and clients
The "Workshop of Holidays" organizes special events. Often clients come to us and think that we do everything: sew curtains, covers, bake cakes, cut out paper snowflakes, etc. But I immediately explain that we simply can not do all that, because we are administrators and our task is to put it all together and ensure that everything appears and happens exactly when it should. We do not make invitation cards and do not bake cakes.
About contracts
Engaged couples are actually very interesting people. They never ask for any contracts. They book a restaurant a year before the wedding and think that someone will adjust oneself to them. They do not care, that over time prices will rise twice. And then, there are scandals, tears, "you did not tell us", "we did not know", etc. We must be wiser. Starting from this year, I sign everything – every piece of paper, so that there would be no misunderstandings. I think that is the right approach.
About the School for Brides
I have conducted 6 or 7 seminars for brides. The first one was paid, but then I decided that it was not right. Therefore, it is absolutely free for all, the only requirement is pre-registration. For 7 years, I have accumulated so much useful information and experience that now I just want to share it with girls. I am very pleased that there are people who are willing and able to listen and follow advice.
I always invite experts for seminars because I do not know everything, especially in other areas.
About colleagues / competitors
People come to me themselves. This always happens when you’re doing something good. To beg someone for 2 hours to get the job is not my strategy. I want only my own clients, not someone else’s.
I have a rule: either talk about the colleagues good or remain silent. Everyone works exactly the way they can. So I am not the one to judge anyone or anything.
About the selection of employees
It’s quite a sensitive issue, although we have no people who do not want to work. And that’s good. The only thing I have encountered at work is a "celebrity disease" in people who have worked with me for some time.
Source – Varosh
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