Life and Work with Michelle Sullivan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Sullivan.

Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have loved planning events for as long as I can remember! Growing up, holidays were a big deal in my family! My mother would always go all out with themes, decorations, and food and I would love to watch and help out! In high school, I was on student council and helped plan my Junior Formal and Senior Prom. I then went to college at the University of Rhode Island and majored in Communication Studies. At the time, I did not realize that I could make a career out of my hobby which was planning events! Luckily for me, Communications was a broad major that I could take in many different directions. It led me to an internship at a Yacht Club in Rhode Island where I was the event planner! This was the first time I professionally planned events and immediately fell in love! After graduation, I worked at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston where I planned conventions for thousands of guests. I then went on to work at several 4 Diamond hotels in Boston planning weddings and corporate functions. Overall, I have been professionally in the event industry for 12+ years and have gained a wide range of experience through all my different roles!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In 2016, I had my first child, a daughter and went back to my job as a Senior Catering Sales Manager at The Colonnade Hotel. Upon my return, I dealt with the struggle that a lot of working moms feel. The battle between wanting to continue to excel in my career and also wanting to spend as much time as possible with my family! I was determined to find a way that I could do both, that worked for me. With the support and encouragement from my husband, I left my job and started Twist Six Events! Having my own company allowed me the flexibility to work on events that I was passionate about and gave me control over my schedule. During my first year of business and shortly after planning my first wedding for the company, a happy surprise was thrown my way and we found out I was pregnant with my son! Being pregnant throughout my first year of business and giving birth during peak wedding season was not something I was expecting (proving even an event planner can’t plan everything)! One of the things I love most about my job is that you always have to expect the unexpected. Over the years, I have mastered staying calm and focused no matter what is thrown my way!

Please tell us about Twist Six Events.
The company was named after a fun fact I learned at a tasting in Champagne, France. During a tour of the vineyard, our tour guide said that it takes “six twists” to open any bottle of champagne! This fact stuck with me and the company name was born!
Twist Six Events plans both corporate meetings and weddings but I would say currently 90% of the business is weddings. I am a romantic and am always drawn to learning about each couple’s unique love story! I then take that information to customize a perfect wedding day that tells a story about them! I have planned weddings on the beach, in gilded ballrooms, in vineyards, in rustic barns, in tents, and in swanky city restaurants! I love that no two weddings are ever the same and the excitement I get from working in new event spaces! What separates Twist Six Events from other planning companies is that as the owner, I am very involved in the planning of each wedding! I realize and value the trust that each couple is putting in me. I pride the company on flawless execution and exceeding each couple’s expectations! Weddings are both personal and emotional for a couple starting their life together. To me, there is no better feeling than seeing a couple smiling on their wedding day and knowing that I was an intricate part of creating memories that will last a lifetime!

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
As a mother to a daughter, I always try to lead by example. I want to make sure she knows that she is strong, smart, kind and that she should always stick up for herself and what she believes in! I think that if you work hard and stay true to who you are, the opportunities are endless!

My advice to young women starting their career is to never be afraid to take a leap! Leaving a stable paycheck to start my own business was a very scary thing but good things rarely happen from staying in your comfort zone! Also, don’t think that you have to choose between having a career and being a mother. While everyone’s journey is different, I am one example that you can have and enjoy both!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.twistsixevents.com
• Phone: 9788352656
• Email: michelle@twistsixevents.com
• Instagram: @twistsixevents
• Facebook: Twist Six Events

Image Credit:
Whiting Photography, Callan Photo, Two Adventurous Souls

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