How to Become a Professional Event Planner

The difference between a good event and a great one often comes down to the details, and that’s where an event planner usually steps in. Creativity and a good eye for detail aren’t enough to make you successful, though. You’ll need the right tools - and the right education - to get started. 
 

What Is Event Planning? 
Few things are more enjoyable, or talked about, than a good wedding or celebratory event, but unless we’re in the thick of it, we don’t often think of all the work involved in making them happen. Event planners are frequently thought of as mere party planners, but the reality is that it’s a nuanced job with a lot of detail involved. In addition to many different types of events to organize, event planners’ duties range from budgeting, conceptualizing themes, creating timelines, arranging appointments, and booking vendors for things like food, music, and photography. They are the full network of support for the host or hosts, ensuring things run smoothly and even offering a helpful ear or shoulder to lean on should it be needed. 
 

Do I Need to Take an Event Planning Course? 
Because event planning is more than just picking out a venue, food, drinks, and music, it helps to learn what other skills are needed from those who have experience. You may have a great eye for detail and know what trends are popular, but event planners need to be professional, possess strong communication skills, and be business savvy. With NYIAD’s Event Planning course, you’ll learn the basics about different types of events like fundraisers, weddings, baby showers, and corporate events. You’ll also learn how to network and market yourself for a busy, competitive job market. 

Though there are traditional elements to events that will likely remain unchanged, the global pandemic has also brought on a new set of details to be considered. Most venues now have updated contracts with new stipulations, states’ regulations frequently change regarding crowd sizes, and some hosts make it a point to ensure the safety of their guests by providing masks and sanitizer. More corporate events are moving online, but still require organization and coordination. All these changes create a larger, more intricate to-do list for an event planner, so top-notch skills based on a well-rounded education are a must.  
 
You’ll also need to know how to get the word out that you’re open for business and good at what you do, so NYIAD incorporates marketing and networking lessons to help you start your own business. The curriculum covers tips and advice for self-promotion and brand image on social media as well as blog maintenance, so you can be on the path towards creating a comprehensive business plan. 
 
Can I Learn Event Planning on the Job? 
Even though the number of events over the past year have been drastically reduced, the Bureau of Labor Statistics still predicts that demand for event planners is increasing. There is expected to be a big rise in the number of events taking place over the next few years, so event planners will likely need additional help from assistants. By working with an already-established planner, you can gain hands-on experience while improving your resume. None of this has to impact your education, though. You can work on earning your event planning qualifications at the same time since NYIAD’s classes are all online and self-paced. You can customize your studies and coursework around your work and family schedules. 
 

Get Planning with NYIAD 
If you’re ready to start planning a rewarding career, call 1-800-583-1742 to talk to a student services representative to learn more about event planning or enroll online today.
 

Author

Nicole Krempasky

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Why Take an Online Event Planning Course

To some, planning a party or event might seem like a simple job. But the difference between a good event and a great event is the details. If you have eye for detail and flair for style, a career in event planning might be a great option for you.  

 What Is Event Planning? 

Event planning is more than just planning a party. Event planners can do anything and everything from strategizing and organizing each detail from start to finish, like budgeting, selecting centerpieces or other decorations, creating timelines, and booking appointments with vendors to offering their organizational and time management skills the day of the event to ensure things run smoothly. Though we commonly associate event planners with weddings, they implement their expertise for a variety of other occasions, including: 

• Bridal and baby showers 
• Birthday parties 

• Bar and bat mitzvahs 
• Holiday parties 
• Fundraisers 
• Corporate events and retreats 

 Why Should You Learn Event Planning? 

Event planning can be a rewarding career. If you like helping others, have good customer service and problem-solving skills, are organized, and like seeing beautiful things come together, event planning can be a lucrative career. The average median income for an event planner last year was $50,000. It’s a great way to aid in bringing happiness and success to others, as well as meeting new people and exercising your creativity. 

However, you might be wondering if it is a good time to enter a career that’s based on social interaction. During the pandemic, we saw many people having babies or getting engaged. As restrictions are slowly lifted, it gives cause to celebrate and safely make up for lost time. It’s a new era with new rules, so the assistance an event planner can provide may help hosts and guests alike enjoy themselves to the fullest. When restrictions are lifted, there will be many events to look forward to, perhaps with people having more appreciation for a good time since we’ve missed out on so much for so long. These events may be on a larger scale, or even more nuanced than what’s traditional, so event planners will play a key role in making sure everyone can make the most of their time together.  

How to Learn Event Planning Online 

NYIAD’s affordable online Event Planning course can help put you on the path towards mastering the art of event planning. In addition to learning how to plan meetings, parties, and conferences, you’ll learn how to effectively network and work with vendors while testing your skills by completing a series of projects. Throughout the course, you’ll also receive guidance from a professional event planner, all while studying online at your own pace.  

If you’re ready to embark on a career in event planning or want to learn more, call a student services representative at 1-800-583-1742 or click here to get started. 

Author

Nicole Krempasky

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How To Set Goals and Stick to Them

Setting goals is always an exciting way to look towards the future and imagine all the ways you aspire to improve. From changing bad habits to starting healthy new ones, there are plenty of ways you can constantly aim to be a better version of yourself. 

But setting goals is the easy part- sticking to them is where things get tricky. If you’re having trouble sticking to the goals you set for yourself and you often find yourself abandoning those goals and giving up, try the following tricks to help you get across the finish line.

Do The Hardest Tasks First 

Mark Twain once said, 

"If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first." 

Let’s say your goal is to run a 5k for the first time by the end of June. The challenging part isn’t going to be showing up for the 5k that day. The challenging part is going to be sticking to an exercise routine and preparing for your event on a daily basis as your race day approaches. 

It’s hard to come home from a busy, exhausting day and find the motivation to change into workout clothes and head back outside to go for a run. It’s much more tempting to turn on the tv and heat up something for dinner. To reference Twain’s advice, in this case going for that run is the frog you need to eat- so try to eat it first thing in the morning. 

When you get the hardest task on your to-do list out of the way first thing in the morning, you’re much less likely to be tempted by distractions that might cause you to skip it altogether. To use running after work for example, let’s say you come home and your spouse asks if you’d like to go try that new Thai restaurant for dinner. You’ll likely be tempted to opt into a fun date night, deciding the workout can wait until tomorrow. 

If you had made a point to get your workout done first thing in the morning, you wouldn’t then find yourself tempted to abandon the workout in favor of other, more tempting things that come up on your schedule. 

Think Smaller 

Try focusing more on the smaller tasks you need to check off your to-do list on the road to achieving your bigger, final goal. 

Let’s say your goal is to finish half of your online interior design course by September. Rather than seeing this goal as one large task, break it up into smaller pieces. 

In order to finish half of your interior design program, you need to complete three course units. Each of those units is broken up into six or seven lessons. So in total, you have 19 short lessons you need to complete in order to be halfway through your program by your goal of September. 

To break up your ultimate goal into more achievable small tasks, make your goal to finish 1 lesson every week. 

So this week, let’s say your goal is to finish Lesson 1.3- Color Basics. You will read about color theory, get an introduction to the color wheel and practice how to mix primary hues as you start to think about using color in your interior designs. Finishing this small lesson about color over the course of the next seven days is a goal within reach. With an online self-paced program, you can make time to study a little bit each day whenever best works for you. Maybe on work nights you want to do some reading on your iPad in bed before you go to sleep. Or maybe you spend your Saturday mornings on the couch enjoying a cup of coffee while you watch your interior design instructional videos and make notes before your quiz. 

Whatever study schedule works for you, NYIAD’s online program allows you to login and get work done at your own pace, any time of day. Take advantage of this flexibility and make time each week to complete smaller, more manageable tasks along the road to achieving your bigger goal. 

Could a NYIAD Course Help You Achieve Your Goals?

If one of your goals is to work towards a more creative career that makes you feel inspired, an online course at NYIAD might be the perfect first step towards achieving that goal. 

NYIAD offers courses in everything from Graphic Design and Wedding Planning to Interior Decorating and AutoCAD. To check out all the courses we offer and learn more about how it at all works, click here or call 1-800-583-1742 to speak to a friendly student advisor from the school. 

Author

Michelle Ecker

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How to Plan the Perfect Valentine’s Event

Students in NYIAD’s online event planning course are always looking for opportunities to bring their schoolwork to life by planning parties for family and friends. 

If you’re not a current student but you’re the type who jumps at the opportunity to put together and decorate a party no matter the occasion, consider enrolling in our online event planning course as a first step in turning this creative passion into a legitimate career. 

This Valentine’s Day, if you’re looking to get some event planning practice under your belt, check out this fun list of budget-friendly ways to take your Galentine’s or Valentine’s party to the next level.

Valentine’s Day Party Decor

One creative way to decorate your party space is by setting up a photo booth where your guests can snap some playful pictures with one another at your event. 

It shouldn’t take a ton of time or budget to craft a simple Valentine’s Day-themed photo corner for your party this year. To make a simple backdrop, shop around for a large, inexpensive bed sheet that fits the color theme you’re going for. This pale purple option from Amazon is covered with playful peach and teal hearts, and only costs $26. 

Start by hanging that sheet as a backdrop to cover a portion of your wallspace. From there, add some matching balloons and fill a nearby table with props your guests can use for their photo ops- confetti, heart-shaped glasses or handheld signs with fun, flirty sayings would be a great start. 

Valentine’s Day Party Food

When it comes to planning a seamless holiday event, incorporating the food in your overall party theme is a must. 

Layered berry parfaits are a great option to add to your Valentine’s spread because they give your guests the option of making their own. Plus, all the bright pink and red fruity ingredients look  pretty on any Valentine’s party buffet table.

To prep this, set out mason jars for your guests, along with bowls of vanilla and strawberry yogurt (be sure not to put these out until it’s time for your party goers to eat- yogurt needs to be kept cold and should be refrigerated until served). In white, pink and red serving dishes, set out sliced fruits like raspberries, strawberries or pomegranate seeds, accompanied by bowls of flavored granola. 

Red velvet waffles are also a Valentine’s event favorite for this year. Not only does the unique batter flavor give your brunch a sweet dessert-like twist, the deep red color matches perfectly with any Valentine’s decor. Try topping yours with a simple sugar glaze. 

Valentine’s Party Activities 

Every event planning professional knows that the key to a perfect party is to keep your guests entertained and busy. The best way to accomplish this is by providing them with some activities and things to do. This year, create a card-making station where your guests can write and decorate Valentine cards to give to their family, coworkers, significant others or friends. 

Head to your local drug store or shop online for cheap, blank Valentine cards. This set from Amazon only costs $15 and comes with 48 pink, lavender and red heart-shaped blank cards perfect for decorating. Scatter all those pretty Valentines out all over a long table, alongside packs of stickers, glitter, glue, funky colored gel pens, scissors and colorful paper- then let your guests get to work while they chat and eat. 

Wish You Could Plan Events as a Career? 

If planning parties is something you’ve always been passionate about, you should consider turning that passion into a career. At the New York Institute of Art and Design, we offer a completely online, self-paced event planning course where aspiring event professionals study what it takes to launch a successful career in the event planning industry. 

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in learning more about, call 1-800-583-1742 to speak with an admissions advisor about how the program works, and take the first step toward launching a creative career where you can excel.

Author

Michelle Ecker

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Our 5 Favorite Halloween Party Hacks

If you’re an event planning enthusiast or aspiring events professional, holidays are a great time to get some practice under your belt. 

Regardless of the scale of the party you’re able to plan and whether you’re planning for yourself or helping a friend, you can easily apply all the concepts you’re studying in your online event planning course. Getting ready for Halloween this year, we put together a quick list of our 5 favorite party decor hacks to help you get inspired as you get busy planning your events. Here’s what we found. 

 

• Get Creative With Pumpkin DIYs 

 

If you scoop the seeds out of a pumpkin until it’s hollow, you can actually use the inside as a functioning drink container.

In addition to the pumpkin scooper and carving knife you’d usually use for carving, the only other thing you’ll need is a working spigot, which you can find at most craft stores or on Amazon. Or, if you happen to have a reusable drink dispenser already, you can detach its spigot and use that. Once your DIY pumpkin container is ready, try filling it with something fitting the theme- a seasonal beer like a pumpkin ale, or a fall-themed sangria would be perfect. 

 

• Use Dry Ice In Your Drinks 

 

Have you ever seen a signature craft cocktail that actually had a smoky, steamy mist coming up off the top of the pour? Using dry ice can help you recreate this spooky, haunted look. But be careful! You need to be sure to use tongs when handling the dry ice, never your bare hands, and tell your guests not to drink the cubes- let them melt and allow the mist to dissipate before diving in. 

 

• Make Your Jello Drinks Glow 

 

If you want to add a unique, Halloween-worthy twist to a tray of simple jello shots, all you need to do is use tonic water as your liquid base when you’re preparing the jello, and shine a black light behind the shots once the jello has hardened. 

 

• Get Scary with Peeled Apple Heads 

 

If you’re making a big punch bowl of sangria or juice to serve to your guests, you can get creative with apples to create what looks like floating shrunken heads bobbing in your signature party drink. All you’ll need to do for this hack is completely peel a handful of apples until they’re fully white, and remove any stems and leaves. Then, use an apple de-coring tool to remove the insides so your apples are hollowed out like jack-o-lanterns. From there, use a carving knife to carve out spooky, lifelike facial features in these head-shaped apple garnishes. Add to your punch and serve for a hauntingly festive treat. 

 

• Make a Halloween Candy Fondue Bar 

 

If you own a slow cooker, this is an incredibly easy and festive dessert bar DIY. All you’ll need to do is throw a few bags of your favorite classic chocolate Halloween candies into your crock pot with some heavy cream - think gooey melted kit kat bars, almond joys, and Reese's candies. Serve alongside trays of pound cake bites, assorted berries and marshmallows with skewers for guests to use for dipping. 

Want to Plan Events As a Career? 

If planning parties and events is a passion of yours, there’s no reason why you can’t turn it into a profitable event planning career. With the right training, you can learn exactly what it takes to start a legitimate, professional event planning business that will put all your incredible party planning hacks and ideas to use- while making you money. Check out this link to learn more about the New York Institute of Art and Design’s accredited, online, self-paced course for event planners.

Author

Michelle Ecker

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Inside a Professional Floral Designer’s Workday

Many of our aspiring floral design students reach out to us with questions about the day to day workflow of a professional florist or floral designer. Whether you plan to own your own flower shop and serve more day to day customers, or if you want to work with more large scale clients to plan weddings or event florals (or even if you hope to do some of both), it’s important to do your research in determining if this career sounds like the right fit for you.

What Does a Florist Do? 

If you plan to open your own flower shop or begin working in someone else’s, your day to day responsibilities will revolve around putting together floral arrangements, taking care of all the flowers in the store that haven’t yet been purchased or made into arrangements, or helping to brainstorm flower design concepts with walk-ins. 

You’ll likely arrange lots of bouquets for walk-in customers, in which case you’ll have to chat with them about what they’re looking for and then create that bouquet on the go. You might also take phone calls and communicate orders for birthdays, weddings and special occasions. 

What is the Difference Between a Florist and a Floral Designer? 

Florists for the most part do retail only work, selling a variety of flowers to everyday customers on a daily basis. Many professionals consider a florist different from a floral designer for this reason- some believe selling everyday bouquets to clients is different than designing a centerpiece or floral installation for a large event, for example. That’s not to say that a florist couldn’t do both types of work- some certainly do. However, the day to day workflow of a special events floral designer is different from that of a florist in many ways. 

What Does a Floral Designer Do? 

If you decide to enroll in NYIAD’s online floral design course, your instructor will be Jacqueline Elfe. Jacqueline lives in New York City and is the founder of Stellar Style Events, Floral & Event Design. Established in 2007, Jacqueline’s business has served clients all around the NYC area and beyond for over 12 years, and her floral pieces have been published in: It's All About The Dress, New York Weddings, Ceci Style, Munaluchi Bride, and more.

We asked Jacqueline to  give us a look inside the day of a large scale wedding or event she’s working- what is the setup process like, how she interacts with clients, etc. 

“The day before the wedding or event, you can put together any low centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnières, corsages or bridal bouquets,” she shares. For most of the heavy duty design however, the day of the event is when things really get busy.

“You’ll start the day off by loading up any wedding ceremony and bridal party flowers,” she begins. “The first stop will be to then deliver any bridal party flowers to the bride and groom if they are getting dressed at a nearby hotel or home- very often the bridal party is not getting dressed at the venue site,” she continues. “Once you’ve dropped those off, it’s time to head to the venue site to begin production.”

Day of Wedding or Event Floral Production 

“On-site production at the venue means preparing and organizing the flowers for the ceremony,” she continues. “This could mean styling anything from a gazebo to a chuppah to a wedding arbor- it all depends on what your clients have asked for. Setup of something like this can take anywhere between 2-3 hours depending on the intricacy of the design your clients have requested. You’ll know going into the event how much detail they’re looking for, and you should plan your time accordingly and always give yourself some breathing room- you never want to be rushing on a day like this.”

From the Ceremony to the Reception 

“After the ceremony pieces are in place, it’s time to start putting together all the reception flowers,” she continues. “If the client has only requested low centerpieces, this is pretty easy, since you already would have prepped those the day before, and at this point just need to arrange them with anything supplementary like candles. But if your client wanted tall centerpieces, this is much more likely something you’ll also have to put together on site day of, given the difficulty of transporting something tall that may not fit in your van,” she continues. 

“Large centerpieces can also take about 5-8 hours- really depending on how many reception tables you are covering.”

The End of the Day 

Once the event is complete, the floral designer (or sometimes floral design team- many professionals bring help, if only just for the day) is responsible for clean up. You’ll dismantle anything physical, break down centerpieces, and load anything else you brought back into your van to head out. Most often, this is a late night process- so be prepared to be up after hours. 

Want to Start a Career In Floral Design? 

If either of the following floral design careers sound interesting to you, consider checking out NYIAD’s online floral design course to prepare. You’ll work with Jacqueline as you submit projects, ask questions and plan for your own career in the industry. And by the time you graduate, you will have gained experience and expertise in the industry ins and outs, all while developing a small beginner’s portfolio of your own. For more information on how our online floral design course works, call 1-800-583-1742. 

Author

Michelle Ecker

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How To Save Money on Destination Weddings

As a wedding planner, you should be prepared to coordinate events of all shapes and sizes. While many couples are willing to stay local, and are open to suggestions about your go-to venues, caterers and vendors, others are looking to tie the knot abroad.

Destination wedding planning is an entirely different ball game, and among other obstacles, maintaining budget can be tricky while trying to coordinate a dream event that includes travel and lodging expenses. So before all these extra amenities start to topple your financial plan, reference this list of moneysaving tips for destination weddings:

How to Save Money on Destination Weddings

Shop Package Deals

Travel and hospitality is an industry jam-packed with package deal options. Try to find a package that bundles several necessary amenities and offers them all at one discounted rate- think airfare, lodging, car rental, even some excursions or tours if possible.

When it comes to destination weddings, remember that guests are making sacrifices and spending a substantial amount of money to be there for the couple. It’s considered best etiquette to provide those guests with some organized group activity options. The more you can get some of those activities included in your bundled rate, the better.

Want to Take an Online Wedding Planning Course

Travel Off-Peak

If the couple is flexible with their date, try to convince them to pick something off-season. You’ll save a great deal of money in transportation and hotel costs if you’re willing to make this timing adjustment.

If saving money is a priority for your couple, you should absolutely avoid holidays, and that includes ones celebrated specifically at the destination location as well. Let’s say they’re hoping to get married in Sao Paulo, for example. February might seem like an off-season time to visit, but for half of that month, flights and hotels for that location are much higher because of their Carnival street party celebrations. So be smart and do your research, then try to pick a time when visiting your given location comes at a more low-key, off-season time.

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Floral Design for Dinner Parties

The weather is warming up, and busy season for wedding and event planners is nearly in full swing- meaning floral designers can expect an uptick in bookings for beautiful, elegant event design services.

One of the most commonly overlooked means through which successful floral designers generate a large percentage of their annual profit is through jobs like this- not just day to day bouquet creation. Full scale event and party design is a great conquest for aspiring designers, and one we highly recommend you consider. To give you some inspiration getting started, here are some tips for planning the perfect dinner party design for any client:

It’s All About the Details

Expert floral designers who specialize in event planning don’t stop at greenery and blooms- you’ve got to think about small details if you really want to wow your clients. Consider things like seating cards, place settings, menu designs, cocktail labels and dishware as well.

If you don’t wind up making recommendations of your own, it shows a thorough, careful mindfulness when you ask the client what they have planned themselves. You want every element of the tablescape to coordinate- so knowing the details of other things that will be placed alongside your floral designs is a key element in ensuring that.

Take an Online Floral Design Course

Remember the Focus

Although as a floral enthusiast, it’s often tempting to design a bold, striking centerpiece that will capture the attention of your guests, it’s important to remember that when it comes to a dinner party, those flowers are a compliment. The food is the main focus here, and your designs should be mindful of that fact.

In addition to inquiring about the table décor and dishware plan, ask what’s being served. The more information you can gather about the overall look, feel (and even taste) of the function, the better equipped you are to select and design arrangements that complement the aesthetic. Think about it- if your host is serving a hearty roasted turkey with robust, traditional sides, a flirty pink peony cocktail arrangement would stick out like a sore thumb alongside this otherwise rustic feel.

More Isn’t Always More

Sometimes the best suited arrangement isn’t the grandest one- it’s the one with the most thoughtful, complimentary subtlety.

Once you communicate with the event planners regarding the table setup, décor and serving style (Is it a buffet? Will wait staff serve the guests in their seats?), you can plan your scope accordingly. If guests will be self-serving, passing dishes around the table to one another for example, a sprawling, massive centerpiece will annoyingly get in the way. Communicate with your other vendors, calibrate accordingly, and remember to work as a team.

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3 Perfect Valentine’s Party Hacks

If you hope to become a professional event planner someday, themed holiday party planning is always a perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills, grow your portfolio and gain some experience. If you haven’t already started developing a design portfolio, party planning such as this is a great opportunity to snap some photographs to showcase your event planning creativity and attention to detail.

This Valentine’s Day, here are some super simple creative ideas to use if you’re planning a themed event:

1. Balloon Darts

   Expecting kids at your V-Day get together? It’s always important, regardless of your expected age group turnout, to plan some coordinated activities for guests to participate in at your party. When you solely rely on guests to make conversation and entertain themselves, you’re putting a great deal of responsibility and pressure on the partygoers to facilitate their own good time. While this sometimes works, it’s not always a reliable plan. Coordinate simple activities like this to keep the party’s momentum rolling.

   For this simple DIY, all you’ll need is a handful of colorful balloons. Tape them to a heart shaped stencil and decorate some darts for an easy, inexpensive game.

   
   Want to make money planning events for clients? Check out this online event planning course.
2. DIY Chocolate Strawberry Bar

   Again, as we mentioned above, as a qualified event planner, a part of your role is to make sure your party guests are kept busy and entertained throughout the entire function- beyond their own chit chat amongst themselves. DIY menu options are a great way to incorporate some activity in the meal plan.

   Rather than laying out a pre-made buffet or serving guests as they’re seated, an interactive, decorate-your-own chocolate covered strawberry bar gives your partygoers a way to get their hands dirty and preoccupy themselves while they mingle.

   All you’ll need for this simple setup is several cartons of fresh strawberries, a handful of skewers, and an assortment of themed toppings- think pink sprinkles, edible glitter, etc.

   
3. Sweet-Themed Décor

   If you don’t have a huge budget to work with, you’ll need to get creative when it comes to flirty, festive décor options. This simple DIY can be done for under $10 – all you’ll need to buy is a bag or two of Valentine’s Day themed m&m’s.

   You can use any vase or mason jars you already have. Simply fill your vase choices with m&m’s and add a handful of cheap pink and red stems from your local grocery or florist for an easy centerpiece.

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What To Bring to a Wedding Consultation

If you’re a recent wedding planning course graduate and new to the industry, your first consultation with a pair of potential clients can be an extremely nerve-wracking thing to plan for. But there’s no need to stress. Below, our expert wedding planners share 4 key things you should make sure to bring along for the meeting. As long as you come prepared with the items listed below, you can relax knowing you’re as prepared as any other industry pro would be. What To Bring to a Wedding Consultation

1. Wedding Questionnaire

   You should usually have a printed list of questions that can help guide you through this two-way interview with your potential clients. This will help you get the conversation going and gather some general information about key things like the size, style, budget and timeline of the couple’s wedding.

2. Client List

   Professional event planners typically keep a small portfolio containing some letters and testimonial-like notes written by couples they’ve worked with in the past. These sort of serve as resume references, giving your potential clients peace of mind knowing you’ve planned and executed the perfect wedding day for couples in the past.

   If you’re new to the industry, your NYIAD mentor is a great reference to list instead! Also be sure to include references from any events you’ve successfully planned in the past- not necessarily just weddings- if you’re a beginner and your reference list is still growing.

3. Portfolio

   Again, if you have any experience with planning events, it’s crucial for you to put together a small portfolio best demonstrating those efforts. Include photos, one of the invitations, a copy of the menu, your color palette- really the more small things you can include here to give the couple you’re speaking with a clearer picture of the small details you’re capable of executing, the better.

4. Vendors List

   Most professional wedding planners keep a list of vendors handy- one’s they personally have worked with in the past, had positive experiences with, and feel comfortable recommending to couples who are unsure where to start. From photographers and bakers to florists and DJs, any industry professionals you’re familiar with and trust, be sure to keep a list of. Things like this will legitimize your industry knowledge and experience in the eyes of a couple for whom all these details are likely entirely new.

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5 Genius Holiday Party Hacks

Via Harpers Bazaar

Do you want to start your own professional event planning business one day? If this has always been a dream of yours but you’re unsure how to get started, planning some parties for your families and friends can be a wonderful way to gain experience and grow your portfolio as you complete your event planning course.

As a student and aspiring professional, you should always have your future portfolio in mind, and be sure to take advantage of any opportunity to develop it. So very time you plan and execute an event of any kind, take plenty of pictures. From photos of menu choices to close-ups of décor, keep in mind that this is your chance to show potential clients why you’re worth working with- down to every last fabulous detail. So make sure these pictures are well-lit and clear.

Just in time for the holiday season, we came up with a list of our absolute favorite holiday party planning hacks for 2017 to help give you some festive inspiration. Here’s what we found:

Via Hawthorne and Main

Hot Chocolate Bar

This is an adorable, decorative buffet option for this year’s wintertime event of any kind. In the beautiful set-up pictured here, the planner went with some large, clear containers to hold all the drink accompaniments. We especially liked her choice of see-through bowls for this arrangement, simply because the toppings sort of look festive themselves, so it’s nice to keep them on display. As far as toppings go, she went with classic favorites such as candy canes and marshmallows, but you can get as creative as you’d like with yours.

It’s also worth noting that DIY menu choices are always an effective party planners’ pick because they give guests something to do. The key to a great party is to keeps the guests active as much as possible. So having them get up, experiment with these toppings and share their creations with one another adds an element of activity to the function unmatched by simply serving something premade- always a plus.

Via Taste of Home

Chocolate Covered Pretzel Wreath

This is a really simple DIY dessert option that we chose specifically for the event planner on a budget. Not only are all the ingredients super inexpensive and easy to find, it looks impressive and Instagram-worthy all the same.

Essentially, all you’ll need to do is make classic chocolate covered pretzels, simply using white melting chocolate chips dyed green, then arranged in a circle to look like a wintry wreath. Decorations are entirely up to you- this decorator used red and green sprinkles and a big red bow, but you can use any type of holiday candy you want for yours.

via Living Locurto

DIY Light Décor

We absolutely loved this inventive, jumbo-sized holiday light craft from the Living Locurto blog, and it’s sure to be a hit among guests at your event this year too. Not only that, it’s incredibly easy to make, and all you’ll need is balloons, curly green ribbon and dark green disposable cups.

If you want to go the extra mile for the wow-effect, you can actually head to Amazon or Walmart to find balloons that will literally glow- but as long as your event is taking place in a well-lit venue, regular balloons will look just fine too. Here’s a full tutorial on how to make this awesomely original craft.

via Mon Cheri Brides

Signature Cocktails

This drink was our 2017 pick for your holiday-themed signature cocktail. The presentation here looks absolutely incredible- festive, joyful and elegant all rolled into one. To make this wintry refresher, start by combining blackberries, sugar and water in a small saucepan. You’ll want to bring that to a boil (on high heat), then quickly reduce it to a slow simmer and let it heat for about 12 minutes. This will help those blackberries become nice and soft, and it’ll bring out a really beautiful, extra-deep color in them too. After those 12 minutes, you’ll be left with what should look like a purple-ish colored sugary syrup. Take it off the stove and remove the blackberries (but hold onto them for later) so you’re left with the syrup alone. Once cooled, simply spoon some syrup into a glass flute (these were rimmed with a beautiful, sparkling gold sugar) and top with champagne. Garnish with those blackberries from warlier and a sprig of rosemary, and you’re ready to impress those guests!

via Tip Buzz

Layered Jello Shots

The last hack on our list is only for the adults at your party-this awesome Jello shot looks incredible, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser amongst your partygoers. Here’s the full recipe tutorial on what ingredients you’ll need to buy and how these are properly layered and prepared.

The recipe is really fun to make, but be aware that it takes some time- so definitely allow a few hours of time for those layers to properly set. This probably shouldn’t be one of the party-prep items you leave for the day-of.

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How Much Money Do Floral Designers Make?

If you’re interested in starting a career as a professional floral designer, it’s important for you to have a general idea of industry-standard salary averages. Especially as an amateur designer just getting started in the business, knowing what’s normal to charge clients is important- you don’t want to undersell your services to new customers, or accidentally overcharge people for your work.

In general, floral designers in the United States make about $50,000 per year (this figure reflects research completed as of October 30, 2017) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In terms of being paid an hourly rate, that translates to an average of $24 per hour.

This figure essentially demonstrates the middle ground of the industry, so it falls somewhere between the salaries earned by entry-level, first time beginners and industry pros who have been around for significantly longer and naturally earn much more.

Want to start a floral design business?

As is true of any profession, the amount of money you can expect to make as a floral designer depends mostly on the work dynamic you chose, and the amount of time you can commit to your craft. When we reference work dynamic, ask yourself- do you see yourself working in collaboration with a larger company such as an event or wedding planning firm? Will you be working full time, 5 days a week? Or do you want to be an independent florist, in which case- will you have your own brick and mortar flower shop? Will you work from home doing smaller freelance projects for residential clients? Will you do commercial arrangements for businesses or for events?

These are all questions you can answer throughout NYIAD’s floral design course as you start to develop your business plan and pricing models according to the future you see for yourself.

If you intend on working independently and charging clients per project, there are several things you’ll need to keep in mind when it comes to developing a fair cost model. Firstly, you always need to keep track of how much money you’re spending on supplies. Second, consider overhead costs. Do you work in a rented space? Did you buy your own commercial store? How much is your rent payment? Electricity and water bills?

These are all things you’ll need to consider when you determine how much your product is worth- the space it was created in counts. And finally, you need to value your own time. When you’re naming the price, always try to establish a rate that reflects the actual amount of time you spent creating the deliverable.

And finally, it’s also important to remember that location matters when it comes to salaries earned in any industry, floral design included. Fluctuations in buyer demographic, customer lifestyle and income etc. will always depend on upon the area in which you decide to sell your work. Therefore, you need to realize that the price at which you can reasonably list your floral arrangements may have to change depending on whether you’re selling in a small, rural town- or in a high end boutique in Manhattan.

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Throw The Perfect Halloween Party

If you’re an aspiring event planner looking to grow your portfolio, planning holiday-themed parties can be a great way to get some practice. From coordinating color schemes and planning décor to finalizing a budget and picking out menu items, holiday party planning gives you an awesome opportunity to practice all these basic elements of organization and preparation. Not only that, by documenting the process and taking some nice photos of your finished work, you’re also building a beginner’s event planning portfolio that you can then share with potential paying clients in the future.

Just in time for Halloween this year, we’ve developed a simple round-up of our favorite DIY food and décor options to spark your creativity.

A Monstrous Menu

When it comes to themed parties, it’s especially important to incorporate the motif as much as possible throughout the day- including on the menu. Here are some seasonal snacks worth experimenting with on your 2017 Halloween party menu:

Via Inspiring Pretty

Guacamole is a simple, easy-to-make party staple that guests are always happy to see on the buffet table. Spice up your presentation in a spooky way this year with this clever jack-o-lantern DIY.

Via Beautifully Bella Faith

Here’s another quick way to take an everyday appetizer essential to the next level simply by putting some extra thought into how it will be displayed. If you’re grossed out by the idea of dumping your veggie dip directly into a hollowed-out pumpkin, simply pick out a small bowl, then buy a pumpkin in which (once hollowed-out) it can easily fit inside.

Via Babble

One of the easiest ways to make a handmade cocktail (or mocktail) look professional is to spend some extra time on the garnish- and this is one of the easiest options we’ve seen this year. Simply fill up an ice cube tray, then drop some spooky plastic spiders into each watery cube before you freeze.

Want to start a legitimate event planning business? Click here to learn how.

Disturbing Décor

In addition to any fall home décor you’ve already put out for the season, it’s important to add some special pops of Halloween-inspired looks throughout the space where your guests will be spending time.

Via Brit+Co

This DIY looks absolutely adorable and can be made within minutes (not to mention its super budget-friendly). Turn simple orange and white balloons into ghoulish ghosts or friendly jack-o-lanterns with a little creativity and a black sharpie.

Via The Kitchn

Want to hand out party favors to your guests? With this awesome idea, yours can double as table setting décor. Grab a handful of see-through plastic gloves and fill them with whatever type of candy you like. Add some plastic costume jewelry around the filled glove’s ring finger and lay them around the table for a mysterious (and tasty) treat every guest can throw in their bag on the way home.

Via Domino

This option is an event-planner’s favorite for the more chic and stylish Halloween parties on your calendar. This DIY couldn’t be easier, but looks incredibly elegant. Just fill up a handful of large, clear balloons, then once filled, wrap them in black tulle for a romantic yet ghostly effect.

Via ElleDecor

This is another fabulous décor option for your more sophisticated Halloween soiree. For a few months leading up to your event, hold onto any empty glass bottles you may have handy. Check out this DIY for a quick tutorial on cleaning them out and removing the labels- then simply add some skinny, sophisticated candlesticks inside to create an elegant haunted-mansion vibe.

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Throw The Perfect Halloween Party

If you’re an aspiring event planner looking to grow your portfolio, planning holiday-themed parties can be a great way to get some practice. From coordinating color schemes and planning décor to finalizing a budget and picking out menu items, holiday party planning gives you an awesome opportunity to practice all these basic elements of organization and preparation. Not only that, by documenting the process and taking some nice photos of your finished work, you’re also building a beginner’s event planning portfolio that you can then share with potential paying clients in the future.

Just in time for Halloween this year, we’ve developed a simple round-up of our favorite DIY food and décor options to spark your creativity.

A Monstrous Menu

When it comes to themed parties, it’s especially important to incorporate the motif as much as possible throughout the day- including on the menu. Here are some seasonal snacks worth experimenting with on your 2017 Halloween party menu:

Via Inspiring Pretty

Guacamole is a simple, easy-to-make party staple that guests are always happy to see on the buffet table. Spice up your presentation in a spooky way this year with this clever jack-o-lantern DIY.

Via Beautifully Bella Faith

Here’s another quick way to take an everyday appetizer essential to the next level simply by putting some extra thought into how it will be displayed. If you’re grossed out by the idea of dumping your veggie dip directly into a hollowed-out pumpkin, simply pick out a small bowl, then buy a pumpkin in which (once hollowed-out) it can easily fit inside.

Via Babble

One of the easiest ways to make a handmade cocktail (or mocktail) look professional is to spend some extra time on the garnish- and this is one of the easiest options we’ve seen this year. Simply fill up an ice cube tray, then drop some spooky plastic spiders into each watery cube before you freeze.

Want to start a legitimate event planning business? Click here to learn how.

Disturbing Décor

In addition to any fall home décor you’ve already put out for the season, it’s important to add some special pops of Halloween-inspired looks throughout the space where your guests will be spending time.

Via Brit+Co

This DIY looks absolutely adorable and can be made within minutes (not to mention its super budget-friendly). Turn simple orange and white balloons into ghoulish ghosts or friendly jack-o-lanterns with a little creativity and a black sharpie.

Via The Kitchn

Want to hand out party favors to your guests? With this awesome idea, yours can double as table setting décor. Grab a handful of see-through plastic gloves and fill them with whatever type of candy you like. Add some plastic costume jewelry around the filled glove’s ring finger and lay them around the table for a mysterious (and tasty) treat every guest can throw in their bag on the way home.

Via Domino

This option is an event-planner’s favorite for the more chic and stylish Halloween parties on your calendar. This DIY couldn’t be easier, but looks incredibly elegant. Just fill up a handful of large, clear balloons, then once filled, wrap them in black tulle for a romantic yet ghostly effect.

Via ElleDecor

This is another fabulous décor option for your more sophisticated Halloween soiree. For a few months leading up to your event, hold onto any empty glass bottles you may have handy. Check out this DIY for a quick tutorial on cleaning them out and removing the labels- then simply add some skinny, sophisticated candlesticks inside to create an elegant haunted-mansion vibe.

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Studying Floral Design Online

When it comes to something as interactive and hands-on as DIY floral design, it can be hard to imagine how one could master this applied art through an online education. However, through the implementation of a state-of-the-art online learning center with hours of HD video lessons, plus the personal touch offered by daily access to a team of advisors here to walk you through every unit of the course, with NYIAD’s online floral design course, you could start learning today and be running a functional, profitable business by this time next year.

As with any comprehensive training program, our course was designed to take you back to the absolute beginning of floral design history. In order to be considered a truly knowledgeable industry expert, it’s important for proficient floral designers to understand the basics. From the beginning, we’ll talk about how to take care of flowers of all kinds, how to categorize the blooms you’ll organize in your workspace, and even how to make a checklist of all the crucial tools you should buy for a beginner’s studio.

Want to study floral design with NYIAD? Click here to check out the official course page.

Once you’re familiar with how your workspace should be set up and maintained, we will get into the history of floral design throughout the centuries. Looking centuries back in history, we can see how ancient peoples used floral design in a number of ornamental ways- from garlands and wreathes for special events to thoughtfully sprinkled flower petals along the ground at certain culturally meaningful occasions. Developing an understanding of how flowers and plants have impacted culture and the ways in which we decorate, embellish and celebrate will help you as an artist as you start to picture the many ways in which you’d like your creative style to unfold while developing a personal aesthetic.

Since all of NYIAD’s courses are entirely online, you get to decide when class is in session. You can login and read further into your assignments anytime and anywhere you’d like- as long as you have a device with internet access (yes, cell phones work too). Your online floral design course includes video, audio, and text lessons that you can refer back to whenever you need a refresher on any given topic. Plus, at the end of every unit you’ll get to complete a project demonstrating all the concepts we covered throughout that unit’s curriculum.

Jacqueline Elfe is our head floral design mentor, as well as the owner and operator of the NYC Floral Design company Stellar Style Events. Her floral design firm was established in 2007, and the work she’s done there has since been featured in It’s All About The Dress, New York Weddings, Ceci Style and Munaluchi Bride. That project you submit will be reviewed by mentors like Jaqueline, all working floral design professionals in the area who already have thriving careers in the industry and loads of knowledge and advice ready to share.

Towards the end of the course, we’ll get into all the specifics of launching your own business. As is true of many creative professionals, the artistic, hands-on aspect of the job comes naturally- but when it comes to business and marketing, that’s where we’re here to make sure you have what it takes to launch your own successful firm. From starting your own local business to simplifying your marketing strategy, we’ll walk you through every step of the process to ensure that not only are you ready to create your own designs, you’re ready to find the perfect clients to buy them.

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How Much Do Wedding Planners Make Per Wedding?

Many aspiring wedding planners reach out to us with questions about how they’ll be paid. If you’re considering making an investment in our online wedding planning course, it’s definitely worth knowing what the return will be once you start working in the field. Below we share some general, standard payment structures used to compensate wedding planners in the current market:

Wedding Consultation Price:

If you’re working as a consultant for a couple, you will typically bill your clients by the hour. This type of work basically consists of you and the clients having some meetings together in which you, as the local industry expert, answer any questions they may have about their big day. From coordinating the perfect color scheme to picking the best local caterer to fit their budget needs, you are spending time with them as an expert there to point them in the right direction as they essentially plan their own event with your guidance.

If a couple ever schedules a consultation with you, this is a great opportunity to showcase your industry knowledge, your strong experience and reliable relationships with vendors in the area. By demonstrating your understanding and dependability throughout this meeting, you’re highly increasing the chances that said couple will feel more secure simply booking you for some additional services rather than going it alone. However, keep in mind that the clients are paying you by the hour for your consultation and advice, not for you to pitch your services- so save that conversation for the end of the meeting, otherwise you might annoy the couple.

Generally, wedding planners charge anywhere from $40-$70 per hour for their consulting services. This number also depends on where in the world your firm is located. If you work in a more metropolitan area like New York City, market rate will be more like $100-$200 per hour. Before naming your price, look up some local wedding planners who already have established businesses, check how much they charge, and try to offer something similar.

Day-Of Wedding Coordination Price:

If a couple decides to hire you for Day Of Coordination, this means that again, the couple will likely be planning the majority of the event without your help, but they would like you there on the big day to offer help in any way you can. You’ll help with things like creating the day’s schedule, coordinating with vendors to ensure timeliness and seamless delivery and setup, etc. Most wedding planners charge anywhere from $600-$900 for this service. However, if you’re working in a metropolitan area, this price would likely be more like $1,200 - $2,000. When naming your price, it’s also worth fluctuating slightly depending on the event itself. If the wedding will be fairly small and held all in one location, you might consider charging less than if it’s a huge number of guests who will be moving from place to place between the ceremony and reception.

Full Service Wedding Planning Cost:

If the couple wants to hire you for a full service wedding planning, this is where you’ll make the most money. These clients are essentially giving you full creative control of the big day- from developing the aesthetic concept to executing it day-of. Full service planners recommend all the vendors, the venue options, the décor, sometimes even the attire. If you’re hired to plan a wedding full-service, you should charge $2,000-$3,000 if you’re in a more rural area, but upwards of $10,000 depending on your location’s market and the wedding size. If you’re a NYIAD student and you’re not sure how much to charge potential clients for your services, just call your mentor, explain the details of the event and we’ll help you develop the perfect pricing model.

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How To Plan Vacation Outfits

Many personal stylists are approached by clients who are looking for assistance prepping outfits for very specific functions. From parties and work gatherings to weddings and special trips, there are plenty of particular events people often need guidance dressing for. One of our favorites to help with? Vacation looks. Getting started, there are a few very general guidelines we suggest you adhere to when it comes to offering clients travel-worthy style tips:

Find a Functional Dress

First of all, it’s important to stick with essentials when putting together your initial travel bag. We recommend picking a basic black dress as your first item. For daytime style, you can layer a cute, loose chambray shirt and scarf overtop and pair it with sunglasses and sneakers for a comfortable, casual look. For an upscale night out the same dress can be paired with some heels and a statement necklace for an elegant, dressed-up alternative.

Don’t Forget Denim

Jeans are also a super versatile addition to any travel wardrobe. For exploring and sightseeing during the afternoon, they can pair with a basic tank, long beaded necklace and pair of casual sneakers like converse or Adidas for a simple, on the go look. At nighttime, you can pull out that same pair of heels we mentioned in the previous example and swap out the tank for a flowy, dressier blouse for a flirty, sophisticated evening look.

Small Glam Updates

Especially if your client doesn’t have a ton of suitcase or carry-on room to work with, it’s important to remember that simple accessory updates can go a long way in altering the look and feel of a basic outfit, without taking up a ton of room. Think about adding small accessories like colorful scarves, interesting sunglasses, bold statement necklaces or even colorful tights (weather permitting) if you need to include outfit updates without taking up too much room.

Do Your Research

For experienced personal stylists this is an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised how many travelers forget to check the weather forecast right before they head out. Even if a certain location typically experiences sunny, clear weather during the summer, you never know when a trip will happen to fall on a rainy week. And if it does, we’re sure your client won’t be happy walking around with damp feet in open-toes sandals. Be prepared- plan their outfits ahead of time as you normally would, but make sure to check their weather forecast right before they’re about to leave and make any appropriate adjustments if necessary.

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How To Sell Your Jewelry at Markets

As aspiring jewelry designers, learning to take the existing art and design skills you have and combine them with marketing and sales techniques that you might not be so familiar with can be a tricky undertaking.

One of the most common issues we get questions about from prospective jewelry design students involves the marketing and sales process. After learning the best ways to lay out patterns, string beads and create wire transitions, you’ll move on to actually designing and creating a beautiful jewelry line of your own. After all that hard work, it’s important to develop a general background on how to find clients to purchase and wear that beautiful work.

Lucky for our students, this is something we extensively cover throughout the final unit of our course. From learning the best techniques for photographing your jewelry and selling it online to preparing some face to face sales techniques for interacting in person, our mentors dedicated the entirety of the final course unit to getting you ready to make money through your talent.

Since its summertime and markets are popping up all over this time of year, we thought it might be a good idea to review some tips for selling your work in this type of venue. Here are our most recommended tips getting started:

Connect With Your Buyers

When you can, it’s a good to make conversation with your shoppers. Try to ask them questions about their style preferences. Are they shopping for a special event? Are they buying a gift for a loved one? The more information you can get from them regarding their reason for browsing, the more helpful you can be in making special recommendations. Not only that, if you develop a friendly rapport with these customers, you might have the opportunity to slip them your business card and turn them into repeat clients.

Don’t Take Criticism Personally

Once you start talking to your buyers and providing them with recommendations, it’s important not to get defensive or irritated if they say they don’t really like something you’ve made. Although as designers, we understand that it can be hurtful to hear negative feedback on something handmade, try to remember that taste is relative, and that your personal jewelry aesthetic isn’t going to fit the style of everyone who comes to your table.

So if you show someone a necklace for example, and they say it’s too loud or too tacky for their taste, just brush it off and try to show them something simpler.

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Do You Need an Event Planner Certificate?

If you’re interested in starting a career as a professional event planner, it’s important to understand that the field is a competitive one with tons of new planners joining the industry every year. That being said, there are several ways in which you can stay ahead of the curve in terms of preparedness and resume optimization. From earning your event planner certificate to starting your own blog, let’s talk about some simple ways to give your business a head start on the competition. In the eyes of potential clients, the following key things can make the difference between hiring you, or picking one of your competitors:

1. Education

If you haven’t yet received any formal training in this field, you should consider making the investment. Although an event planning career may not have the same 9-5 structure of other jobs, it requires serious training, skills and organizational capabilities that are better learned through industry professionals than attempted on your own.

NYIAD’s online event planning course is designed exactly for this reason- to help you master the art of event planning, giving you the skills needed to succeed as a professional event planner. In our course, you will learn how to ensure the success of any event- from meetings and parties to fundraisers and company retreats. There are many types of gatherings worth preparing for- not just weddings and parties. Throughout our comprehensive curriculum, you will learn to effectively execute all of these niche functions by mastering the fine art of networking, working with vendors and handling every need of your clients.

2. Experience

In almost any career worth exploring, getting some hands on, real world experience is one of the most invaluable assets to your growth and confidence development as a capable industry professional. However, when it comes to something as important as a couple’s wedding day or an important business event, many amateur planners feel way too nervous to dive in and take on the responsibility of ensuring a flawless day. Lucky for our students, you can garner this crucial strength without ever having to leave your home. During the course, you will complete a Virtual Internship, a series of projects allowing you to grow by putting your skills to the test, planning mock events alongside your mentor. This mentor will actually be a real life, professional event planner- your teacher and guide who is there to review your work and help you improve.

3. Marketing

Once you’ve completed your training, you’ve planned some mock events at your virtual internship and you’ve worked with your mentor- you might feel totally ready to get out there and plan some real world events with actual clients. But how will you find them? That’s where the marketing portion of your course comes in. In NYIAD’s event planning course, unit 6 is all about professional pathways.

Getting started, we’ll take a much closer look at all the business-related intricacies of the event planning field, as well as all the possible opportunities for you to offer a niche service in your area. Once you have an idea of the business you can see for yourself in the future, we’ll start to talk about the most effective methods for bringing in new clients.

From creating a professional website to networking within the event planning community, you’ll be given some of the best advice on getting your name out there and promoting a positive image for your services and personal brand. After that, we’ll work on the ever-important and rapidly growing social media influence on small business success. We’ll talk about the best ways to promote your services and work on social media platforms as well as SEO best practices and blog maintenance, helping you develop a cohesive plan for incorporating this unique advertising platform into your business plan.

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Student Success: Gina Nicole

In her early twenties, Gina Nicole met a feng shui practitioner who she soon hired to clear her home and adjust her color schemes and furniture placement. After realizing how positively these changes affected her relationships, sleep patterns, productivity and overall energy, she decided to pursue feng shui herself. After studying with BTB Feng Shui Master Edgar Sung, she decided to enroll in a feng shui course at NYIAD to further her knowledge of art. We recently had the chance to chat with Tricia about her time at NYIAD, her interior design career, and her plans for the future. Here’s what we learned!

1. When did you realize that feng shui was a field you wanted to pursue?

When I was 5, I was on a local news story with my horse. When the reporter asked me if I wanted to be a cowgirl when I grew up, I replied, “No, I want to be a nurse.” It shocked everyone (including me), because I screamed at the sight of a needle or blood. Looking back, I knew I wanted to help channel healing energy, but didn’t know what to call it.

When I was in my early twenties, I met a Feng Shui practitioner. As much as I didn’t want to spend more money to heal, I also knew that if I wanted change, I had to be a visionary and not act out of fear. I hired her with great intention to clear my home and give me Feng Shui tips on color and placement. I listened to her advice, made the changes in my home, and my healing then magically unfolded faster. I began sleeping better, work progressed, and my relationships improved. I finally realized that this could be a way to channel energy.

2. Why do you prefer feng shui to other interior design methods?

I prefer Feng Shui to interior design, because Feng Shui is a healing art. There is an aspect to the art that can help take your life to a whole new level. Interior Design is wonderful to beautify spaces, and Feng Shui takes it to a whole new level.

3. Have you always been interested in art and design? If not, what is your educational background originally in and what other similar topics interest you?

I have not always been interested in art and design, but I have always been interested in creating spaces to feel good. Even as a little girl, I was very particular about color in my room and surrounding spaces, and I would always ask my parents to move my furniture around. We are really sensitive to spaces, and when we listen to the intuitive aspect of that, we can feel so much better.

4. When did you enroll at NYIAD?

Before studying at NYIAD, I studied with BTB Feng Shui Master Edgar Sung in San Francisco. His program was phenomenal and so intuitively connected. It didn’t cover the art aspect as in depth however, so I decided to enroll in the course at NYIAD.

5. What was your coursework like?

The course work was super creative and fun. I always say, you are a creation; it took two people to make you, and you are a result of a creative process. If you stop creating, you are out of the flow with life. To manifest to your fullest potential, you have to always stay in creation, and this is what this course did for me. The work allowed for me to safely explore and experience different remedies in different ways. I was able to play with color and learn more about the elements of color and textiles, with no judgement, and only support.

6. Was your mentor helpful during the process?

My mentor was encouraging, and helped me to see things from a different perspective at times.

7. After graduation, how did you use this knowledge to help you with a real world career?

I was a practicing Feng Shui practitioner when I began this program. The program at NYIAD helped me to take my practice to a new level and uplift my existing offerings.

8. What did you learn working in the real world that you wish you could’ve learned at NYIAD?

The program gives you a nice preparation for what to experience in the real world. Ultimately however, it is going into other people’s spaces where the learning can deepen greatly. Feng Shui is not a black and white offering. It is one of intention with a lot of grey areas. NYIAD helps to prepare you for situations that you may be called to assist with, and ultimately more lessons come from moving through those situations.

9. Tell us the feng shui services you offer to clients.

I offer an hourly rate, and packages for homes and businesses

10. How do you find new clients in your area?

Feng Shui is not my only offering. I am also an Angel Intuitive. When I listen to the messaging of the Angelic Realm on how to help others raise their external energy and vibration, miracles happen. I find the best way to find new clients, is to offer that service that comes so natural to me, and the rest takes care of itself.

When you surrender to your inner calling, and allow your gifts to flow through you, you will always be connected to the people that are of that same vibration and ready to good in the world. Focus on how you can help make the world a better place, and you will absolutely find the people that will benefit from your offerings. If that is through Feng Shui, and you are called to it, LEAP!!! That is my advice. It is only growing, and my belief is that one day, it will be as common as acupuncture in this world.

11. If you had to pick one, what was the most memorable design project you’ve ever completed?

My most memorable design experiences (yes more than one) have indeed been designing acupuncture offices. If I had to choose one, it would be working with Rachel Hemphill of City Pulse Acupuncture: http://ift.tt/2sIfKhs. She has the existing knowledge of working with the elements, so she was able to take the assessment of her space to a whole other level. Her office turned out beautiful and I know she is reaping the rewards of intentional placement.

12. Describe a day in your life at work!

Every day is so different, and that is what I love. I get to choose what I want to do and when I want to do it. I see people one on one, do email reports from a distance, do events, teach classes, and have some online program offerings; (one being a Feng Shui course online that I often times receive questions about). I would be unable to describe a day in my work life, because no two days are the same, and THAT is what I love.

13. For any readers who are totally unfamiliar with feng shui, what are some simple, basic ways you think they could add positive energy to their space?

For one, BEFORE you do anything, you must set an intention to begin anew, you must be willing and ready to LET GO of anything you might be hanging on to, and create space for the new to come in! How do you do this? Being the Feng Shui enthusiast that I am, I always stress the importance of one of the most important but simple techniques of Feng Shui: de-cluttering.

I say De-Clutter stands for: Detox Environmentally – Clear Life Up Through Tidying & Eliminating Rubbish!

When you consider the way energy moves, it enters through the front door of your environment, which is known in Feng Shui as the “mouth of the chi.” From there, you want it to move through your space like water down a stream; it should flow nicely. Unnecessary objects blocking this stream, or “clutter,” disrupts this flow. Clutter can be very draining on your being, and like a river dam to a creek, it can slow energy from reaching you or even completely block energy from flowing to certain areas of your life.

So to start, grab a few trash bags, declutter, and start creating space for the new!!

AND … another tip … your stove is symbolic of abundance. One of the biggest inlets of energy into your home, so clean it!

14. How has social media/ blogging helped you as a creative professional?

When you offer value to the world, more value will come to you. Do good, be nice, and help others. Social media and blogging has been a vessel in which I can do this. It’s that simple. I say if I only help even one person with a post, a blog write up, or vlog, my mission is accomplished

15. What’s the most rewarding part of your career?

The most rewarding part of my career is that I get to shine light, spread love, and witness transformation after transformation. I receive emails on a weekly basis about how this work is helping people. I could ask for nothing more.

16. If you could give one piece of advice to our current and prospective students, what would it be?

Be authentic and work from a place of love. If you don’t know something, be honest and say that. Be willing to leap and fall, and let go of any expectation. There is absolutely no space to be anyone but you. If this is a hell yes … you have to listen to that. If there is even one doubt of you leaning toward “No I don’t think so,” LISTEN to that. If you don’t, you are simply being false to the world, and that isn’t what we are here for. SO follow your hell yes feelings, and be you.

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