I am Hesok the owner/head planner at Bountyful Creations. I have been happily married to my husband for 14 years and have a 5-year-old son I adore.
I have been planning events & weddings for 8 years, been in business on my own for 2 1/2 years, and love every bit of it. I love creating my client’s dream wedding or event. Every time I see my clients’ faces and how happy they are of the outcome, I get pure joy and this tells me I have done my job well. I am excited for what the future holds and can’t wait for what’s to come.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced while planning an event and how did you overcome it?
I would say when I had to flip an area. The wedding and ceremony were in the same space and so we had roughly 40 min to get everything changed from a ceremony to a reception. I had to just focus and make sure to stay calm and get the job done. I was there to make sure my clients got what they wanted and that’s what I did.
What are 2 trends in the event planning industry that you’re excited about?
- Cultural Planning
- Designs
What are some tips for creating an elegant and memorable event on a tight budget?
I recently had a couple that only wanted to spend a small budget. I mentioned to them to think about close friends – there’s always that friend that may come in as a vendor and be able to DJ, bake, photograph, cook, etc and do it for you at an affordable price.
If you had unlimited resources, what would your dream client and event look like?
Actually, I would want a client to do an event or wedding in the Grenadines. Oh my goodness, it is so gorgeous there and the island would be bought out so that all of us there can just enjoy the island and the serenity. That would be a great location for any event or wedding.
How important are your relationships with vendors and what are some ways that you successfully cultivate and ensure good rapport?
The relationships are very important with vendors to me. I always treat vendors the way I want to be treated, with respect, and it’s hard being able to do what we do.
I always ask the photographers if it is ok to post their work and in return I give a gift, pay, or I give them a lot of media attention because this is their work and I want them to be very successful as well. We are all a team in this together. Even though we don’t do the same thing we are all working in the same industry and I feel it’s very important to give credit where it’s due.
What advice would you give someone who needs to plan a fundraiser but isn’t sure where to start?
I would say to start off with who you know. Once you start there, ask them if there is someone that they know that can contribute. All it takes is just one person to get the ball rolling.
What’s the most exciting thing on the horizon for you personally or professionally?
Right now my husband and I are building our financial services company, Boyd Jr. Financial and I am really excited about that! We are able to get individuals out of debt sooner than later, properly protected for their families, and many more services that we offer. That’s something going on right now that I’m really excited about and there is also something else but I’m keeping that to myself right now because it’s in the works but once it’s done everyone will be aware.
What inspired you to launch your own company in the event industry? How long did it take from initially having the idea to setting up and starting to attract a client base?
My inspiration was my family. I wanted to create something from what I loved to do. After I’m no longer here I wanted our son to have something as a legacy for him to have.
Oh my goodness, it took me 6 years to actually plan everything out and get everything going and about 8 months until I had my first client for my company.
What’s the first event you can ever remember planning and how did it go?
The first event I planned was my friend’s party and surprisingly, it went really well. I planned the location, guest list, cake, everything. This was the moment I thought to myself, this is what I want to do with my life. I want to become an event planner.
What are some things you wished you knew before starting your businesses?
Wow, I wish I knew how hard it is to build from the ground up. I already knew because my grandfather had his own business but for me to actually do it myself, I really learned how much time it takes and how many nights of no sleep. Actually, I still don’t get sleep today because I’m always thinking about new ideas and ways to make my business better.
What’s the most surprising or unusual request you have ever received from a client and were you able to fulfill it?
I have not had a surprising or unusual request yet. I did have a client that had no garter to toss. The bride had forgotten her garter, so I called the local bridal store and luckily they were still open and I went and purchased her a garter for her wedding day. The bride was so happy and relieved that I had done that for her and I was just happy that I was able to fulfill that at the last minute.
Anything else you’d like to comment on while we have you?
Anyone out there that might be doubting if you want to pursue your own business and if this is something you’ve always wanted to do and you love doing it, go for it. Life is too short. You do not want to look back and wonder why you never did it. I always say if it’s a passion, it will never be work. The sky is not the limit, keep going, and keep striving for greatness.
