bizMe

Being a bizMe gal doesn’t have an age requirement or restriction but some young women under 30 take their ambitions to great heights and accomplish things that women twice their age may not have. Our featured bizgal is Rachel Hollis of Chic Events, an entrepreneur who launched her own business at the young age of 21. Rachel’s highly successful event planning service represents lots of long hours, a creative and energetic outlook, and the ability to mesh great ideas with the client’s vision of the event.

As a teenager, Rachel graduated early from high school and had her dreams in mind when she came to Los Angeles to become an actress. Her family life in Bakersfield, California nurtured her desire to entertain and to stand out. Growing up in a large family with countless celebrations provided her first introduction to party planning. Rachel has paved her own way successfully and that path did not require a degree.

Career as an event planner? = Plan B
Rachel proves that different paths suit different people. She originally set out to Los Angeles to be an actress and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts; however, working for Miramax Studios became a turning point in her young life. She had her first taste of coordinating parties while working at Miramax as an Executive Assistant and tackling the workload of three people. She reflected on what drew her to her current career and it was a combination of things. “Event planning was such a good fit for my personality” plus she remains involved with the entertainment industry even if not in the way she originally envisioned.

What distinguishes Rachel and Chic Events from other event planning companies is her commitment to professionalism and in making her events stress free for the host/hostess. As a suggestion to future event planners, she thinks that setting yourself apart from different companies is key. “Be sure to display whatever your strengths are or whatever your education is to stand out from the competition. Grace under pressure is another necessity when coordinating events.” Rachel maintains a professional demeanor at all times even if her stress level is off the charts.

Her professionalism was tested when she was in a car accident just before meeting with clients. Instead of sharing her dismay and looking a touch frazzled, when her clients saw her slightly mangled car they could not believe she had just been in an accident. “It’s a level of trust and creating a bond in which their needs come first; customers must always have a feeling that we are taking care of them and that as a company, we feel client relationships are very important.” Rachel believes part of her job is taking the stress away from her client and not adding to it regardless of the circumstances.

Her dedication not only applies to her job and business but also to her family. Rachel tries to keep her 11:00 am-5:00 pm schedule because she has two toddlers both under the age of three. Even with an established routine, it is still a struggle to maintain both her family and career. With that in mind, her day is not over when she leaves the office. She usually works when her children are asleep and when she is not in the office she is on her Blackberry. As for vacation, she does not remember the last one she had. “I take time off when I can get it.”

The hustle factor
As a maven of her own event planning company, Rachel attributes much of her success to good old-fashioned hard work to achieve her dreams. In her words, “I think it’s that ‘hustle’ factor.” She has compared herself and her business to her competitors and what sets her apart from the rest is the quality of her events and the lengths that her business will go to make her customers happy. She exudes professionalism even at the most high-pressure times so that her clients can enjoy their event without worrying about putting out any fires. She also thinks that her success has been determined by her performance and creative edge but she stresses that in the end it’s yourself that you need to sell.

“In a consultation-based business, people are buying your opinion. Your job is selling yourself.”

Check out Rachel’s press from her Chic Events website!