Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Dawson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kate. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I fell in love with events in college and my first job was working for an event planner on Nantucket. I got to dive headfirst into the industry – that summer I worked on an Air Show, a circus and dozens of weddings. I stayed in the events industry working for an advertising agency, Life is good, and several non-profits – but I couldn’t shake the wedding bug! I was lucky enough to plan my own wedding and then started helping friends with theirs and it grew from there. I still remember where I was when I got my first phone call from a client willing to pay for my services!
In 2013, after my daughter was born, I decided that it was as good a time as any to pursue my passion in a more official way. I built a website, changed my Instagram handle (@kdawsonevents) and start putting a value on my time and the expertise I had developed over the previous decade.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Most of the reason I love what I do is that of the obstacles. Every client is different. Every event comes with its own unique set of challenges. Many you can plan for and many you can’t. It’s what keeps me on my toes!
Overall, as a business owner, my biggest challenges have been putting a value on myself and my time and setting boundaries. It’s not a 9-5 job and the demands of clients and busy seasons can make it hard to stay focused (and sane.) Finding that balance of being challenged and busy while not losing your mind and sense of self is an ongoing struggle, but one I am happy to tackle (I just hope my family feels the same way!).
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Kate Dawson Events – what should we know?
I am currently focused on offering full-service design and planning to a handful of couples each year. I do a lot of work in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts but am ready and willing to go anywhere!
My company line is that I love everything about weddings – the budgets, the timelines, the invitations, the florals – but that’s a bit of a lie. I get the most excited about two things 1) bringing a couple’s personality to life and 2) watching them enjoy the day that we worked so tirelessly to create. The best compliments I ever received were when the sister of the bride walked into the reception tent and said “Oh my goodness, this tent LOOKS like her!” followed closely by a bride telling me how “in the moment” she felt during her wedding day. That’s the ultimate win for me!
The other thing I love about being in a client-focused industry is while I certainly have a work style and a design aesthetic, clients are always inspiring me to try and think about different things. It also means that I get to partner with amazing creatives who bring the ideas to life, thus furthering the creative journey.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
The first company I worked for was run by two amazing women. They worked hard. They liked each other. And they gave me some great responsibility early on in my career. I was able to dive in and feel like part of a team from the get-go. They were such wonderful inspiration about the power of finding your passion, getting your hands dirty, and the value of a good spa treatment after a long season! They are lessons that I have tried to carry with me.
Working for yourself can be lonely – but thankfully, I’ve met some wonderful people in this industry. We can share successes and failures and bond over the chaotic craziness of what we do. Keeping those connections alive is crucial – especially with wedding season right around the corner!
Contact Info:
- Website: katedawsonevents.com
- Phone: 603.340.0686
- Email: kdawsonevents@gmail.com
- Instagram: @kdawsonevents
- Facebook: facebook.com/katedawsonevents
Image Credit:
Shannon Cronin, Kelsey Regan, Rodeo and Co, White Loft Studio, Ashley Largesse, Henry and Mac
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