Meet Janie Haas of Janie Has Events in North Andover

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janie Haas.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I began my event planning journey almost 40 years ago before it became recognized as a career path. While I was in graduate school, my sister and I began writing invitations for people in the form of creative verse and soon there were requests for centerpieces to complement those invitations. I never had a defining moment where I realized that I was slowly becoming a full scale planner, but as I became more involved with caterers, florists, linen companies, etc., I realized that ,with the expansion of my resources, I could put together a fabulous team of talented vendors with whom I could design and create an entire event. The rest, as they say, is history!

Has it been a smooth road?
Irrespective of how well I do my job, I am at the mercy of my vendors. If one person on the team drops the ball, it impacts the entire event and, because most often I have recommended and hired those vendors, I shoulder the responsibility. I am the “general contractor” and, ultimately, I am only as good as my team.

I think that one of the greatest challenges is staying current and fresh while not being too trendy. You really have to listen to your clients as it is never about planner. My job, if done well, is to facilitate my client’s vision. I have been blessed to have worked with so many wonderful people, both clients and talented vendors in every category. We all put in a tremendous amount of time when planning events and sometimes the numbers of hours spent on a job is not commensurate with the amount of money earned. It is almost impossible to account for the hundreds of hours that go into the planning process and weekend execution. I don’t believe that some people understand this until they have gone through the process with a planner. Upon occasion, I still get the client who thinks that this is my “hobby”, not my livelihood. I am still learning how to set limits with my time which is personally challenging for me since I love what I do after all of these years!

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are predominately planners for high end social and corporate events. By the phrase “high end”, I am referring to the client who is looking for, and appreciates, the added details that will make his/her/their event unique. We are a small company which allows us to get to know our clients well. We are acutely aware of the fact that we are often privy to the most intimate details of a person’s life and that is a privilege that we do not take for granted. We do not have a limit on the number of meetings, calls, emails, etc., so we spend a lot of time with our clients. I think that they would tell you that we are professional, but warm and fun. Yes, we are also known to hug!

I have the utmost respect for our competitors, especially other women like me who have raised a family while also growing a business. I think what sets me apart is simply the number of years that I have been in this business coupled with the expertise that I bring to the table. With that said, my team is comprised of people in their thirties who bring an entirely different perspective and skill set to the table, so it’s a great combination!

Lastly, we not only plan the event, but we are there all day to oversee the set up and we stay all night to make sure that everything is executed perfectly. In this business, there are no do-overs, so it needs to be right to ensure that the client’s expectations are fully met.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, I think that Boston is a great place to learn about event/wedding planning. There are wonderful hotels, restaurants, clubs, museums,etc. to use for events. Unlike a city such as New York, we do not have a lot of independent function spaces right in the heart of the city. Should someone want a “loft ” type venue as example, Boston may not be the right city, but there surely are enough fantastic venues in and around Boston.

If someone living in Boston is new to the industry, my greatest suggestion would be to start in one specific venue in order to get his/her feet wet. It’s a great way to slowly learn the industry, the city, the vendors in every category, the correct way to do proposals, budget sheets, timelines, etc. Most people do not realize that when a potential client asks you about available venue options for a wedding or event in Boston, that planner needs to know not only what is available, but why that particular venue does/does not work. This requires a working knowledge of numerous places around the city. For that reason, having a working knowledge of one specific venue while learning the industry makes good sense.

Contact Info:

• Address: 125 Coachmans Lane
• Website: janiehaasevents.com
• Phone: 9787255956
• Email: janie@janiehaasevents.com
• Instagram: Janie Haas Events
• Facebook: Janie Haas Events
• Twitter: Janie Haas Events
• Yelp: Janie Haas Events
• Other: Janie Haas Events

Image Credit:
Photographers: Forged in the North, Genevieve de Manio Photography, Paul Morse Photography, Scott Metzger Photography

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