Note from Jeannine:  Although I first became acquainted with Amy Rubins at Eventology 2009, we were not able to really connect in person there.  Last May at a FAM trip in Vero Beach Florida, we were able to spend some time in conversation with other planners and I am so grateful for that time to get to know Amy better.  Amy does a lot of destination weddings in exotic locales, so I could honestly sit and listen to her talk all day about the places she has traveled and the wonderful details she incorporates for her clients weddings.  In addition to planning, Amy created Weducation Workshops to educate aspiring planners.  She has recently launched the Weducation Workshops website, that includes online classes so be sure to check it out.  Trust me when I say there isn’t another workshop quite like this out there – it is really genius!  I will be sharing more about the workshops with you in a more in-depth article in mid- April, so keep your eyes open for that.  In the meantime, follow Amy on Twitter @FetePerfection and get to know her better by reading her style profile here.  Enjoy!

 Name:  Amy Rubins   

Location: Minneapolis

Company Name:  Fete Perfection

Number of years in business: 13

Website: www.feteperfection.com

Blog: www.feteperfection.com/blog

Twitter handle:  @FetePerfection

How would you describe your personal style?  Classic, French, Hepburn

What is your “go-to” meeting attire?  tailored slacks, flats, dressy blouse & pearls

What is your “go-to” evening industry event attire? (i.e., associational meeting, vendor or venue open house, etc.) Jacket, pants, silk blouse & pearls

What is your attire for wedding/event day set-up?  Same as wedding day attire but dressy shoes

What is your attire for actual wedding/event?  Dressy black slacks, silk blouse, jacket and again pearls.

Do you dance at weddings?

Photo by LaCour Photography

image via google images

I’ve been wanting to write about exit strategies for a long time.  It can be such a downer subject, though, and I tend to be one who writes based on my mood, so I quite literally saved today’s subject for a rainy day.

I forged into my business with a half written business plan and a lot of fervor.  Needless to say, those only got me so far, and I continue to learn and re-direct my business, sometimes making changes as often as every week.  I think you have to be ever-changing in this business, always improving as much as you can.  One thing I had never really considered before was when and how I would end my business.  When I began to consider this, I started to seek out articles on the subject and it wasn’t long before I had a sense of what to do.

Basically, you have a few different scenarios for your exit strategy.  Those are:

Sale – sell the business to someone else or to another company

Merger – combining two companies to form a larger one

IPO – sell your company via the stock market in an Initial Public Offering

Buyout – someone in the same line of work comes in and buys your company from you

Liquidation of Assets – If you have no debt, you can shut down your business and sell the remaining assets that you have.

If you are a wedding planner like me, the options that are probably most realistic and most appealing from the above are: sale, merger, buyout or liquidation of assets.  Think about where your business is now and when you want to make your exit.  If you are looking to sell in any form, you need to work hard NOW to add value to your business.  Chances are that a buyer will look at performance for past years, perhaps even going back to your business opening. 

In my situation, I want to retire in approximately 10 years.  I have very little in the way of assets, but I also have zero debt.  Because I am a small, boutique planner, it isn’t likely that anyone will want to purchase my company, and if anyone did express such an interest, I would be hesitant because I feel very personally linked to my company brand.  I have no desire to merge with any other company, so I will probably liquidate my assets, which mainly consists of lots of wedding “props”, and the rest will be absorbed into our household.  (I will still want to have a printer, computer, iPhone, wireless router, office furnishings, etc., even when my business ceases to exist.)

In January of this year, I attended Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual Growth Conference which happened to be held here in Atlanta.  My sweet friend, and planner extraordinaire, Kelly McWilliams came into town and we had lots of time to chat about business in between sessions and in the car.  She said something that stuck with me and made me want to come to a resolution on my exit strategy as soon as possible.  She said, (and I am paraphrasing) “I am always thinking about the next thing for my business.  Brides don’t want old planners – there is a shelf life on what we do.  I need to be ready for the next thing after this.”  Within a few weeks of the conference, I had decided when to retire and began thinking about what to do in the next phase of life following my business closing.  While initially thinking about getting out of the industry made me very sad, thinking about what to do next has been really fun for me as well.

What about you – what’s next for you and your business?  I’d love to hear about it!

Converse sneakers – an American icon.  These are my go to shoes when running errands, hanging out with my family, etc. Nothing is more comfortable to me than a favorite pair of jeans, my classic black Converse and a vintage rock & roll concert t-shirt.  I came across this new take on the classic just the other day:

 Converse Cutaway Sneakers – $30 at www.jcpenney.com

Now I do love showing off cute, freshly painted toes this time of year, but I’m just not feeling these.  At all.

What say you, my friends?

Note from Jeannine:  Kay is hands down, the sweetest woman in the event industry.  She has been a faithful supporter of The Stylish Planner from the very beginning.  Kay is a really savvy businesswoman and is a wealth of knowledge.  If you have a wedding blog, she probably reads it and comments on it often.  She very unselfishly answers questions posed on blogs and Twitter, and in general, is incredibly supportive of other planners and wedding professionals.  If you do not already know Kay, believe me, you should.  She will bless you, I promise.  Get to know her better by reading her style profile below and follow her on Twitter at @HowertonWooten.

Name:  Kawania (Kay) Wooten

Location:  Washington, DC Metropolitan Area

Company Name:  Howerton + Wooten Events

Number of years in business:  Four years

Website:  www.hwevents.com

Blog:  www.hweventsblog.com

Please describe your product or service:  Howerton + Wooten Events is a small event management boutique based in suburban Maryland.  Our couples represent the rich cultural diversity prevalent in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  Since our team believes in the consistent professional care of our clientele, we carefully select a specific number of weddings and conferences to care for each year.  This allows us to provide consistent care from the beginning to the very end.

How would you describe your personal style?  I am often told that I have a nurturing spirit.  Industry colleagues, family members and friends know that they com come to me if they need a laugh, a cheerleader, a hug, or a shoulder to cry on.  I am a baker, so my nurturing spirit is pretty prevalent in my food and in my gifts.

How does your personal style related to your business branding?  If you ever come to my home, you are going to feel welcome and comfortable.  you will be well fed, you will feel well loved, and you will probably enjoy a good belly laugh.  Our approach to our couples weddings feels just like that.  Our team’s secret weapon is our ability to create a warm, intimate environment for our couple’s wedding guests.

What would you like people to know about you that they will not discover through your website or blog?  I can find humor in just about anything.  And that has carried over to our wedding planning.  Our couples laugh a lot when we plan their weddings.  At one wedding, a bride had to get her make-up touched up because she was crying from laughing so hard with me!

What is your most treasured possession?  I treasure my family the most.  My parents, my siblings, my son, and most of all, my incredibly sweet husband.  I feel extremely blessed to have all of them in my life.

What message would you like to convey to others in the industry?  Show some compassion for the new guys.  All of us were new to the industry at some point, so we should give a little slack to planners whey they charge $500 for full service.  Don’t get me wrong, I know that these rock bottom prices hurt our industry, but keep in mind that pricing is not easy.  A lot of planners simply don’t know how to determine the value of their service.  And, we all remember how scary it was to put a price tag on our service the very first time.

Please share your favorite beauty or style tip:  Practice behavior that minimizes stress.  Get eight hours of sleep.  Exercise.  Practice yoga.  Pray.  Get a pet.  Have an active (and safe) sex life.  Have a good belly laugh.  Live within your means.  Don’t worry.  Be happy.

Here are 10 of the most popular beliefs and facts that you need to know.

Misconception 1: Overeating sugar causes diabetes.

What causes diabetes?  The reasons aren’t totally understood.  What is known is that simply overeating sugar is not likely to cause diabetes.  Instead, diabetes begins when something disrupts your capacity to turn foods into energy.

To understand what goes on when you have diabetes, keep this in mind: The body stops working most of foods into glucose, a form of sugar necessary to power your cells.  A hormone called insulin is created within the pancreas.  Insulin helps cells in your body use glucose for fuel.

Listed below are the most common forms of diabetes and what researchers know about them:

* Type 1 diabetes takes place when the pancreas cannot make insulin.

* Diabetes type 2 happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, the insulin can not work properly, or both.

* Gestational diabetes occurs in pregnancy in certain women.

Misconception 2: You’ll find a lot of rules in the diabetes diet.

When you have diabetes, you simply must plan your diet. Though the general principal is straightforward, following a "diabetes diet" means choosing food that may work with your activities and any medications to maintain your blood sugar as close to normal as you can.

Misconception 3: Carbohydrates can be harmful for diabetes

In reality, carbohydrates are great for diabetes. They make up the foundation of a normal diabetes diet.

Carbohydrates possess the greatest influence on blood glucose levels, which is the reason you are required to watch the number of carbohydrates you consume when following a diabetes diet.

Misconception 4: Protein is superior to carbohydrates for diabetes.

The major problem is the fact that many foods full of protein, such as meat, are often full of fats.  Overeating those fats increases your risk of heart problems. In a diabetes diet, protein should account for about 15% to 20% of the total calories you take in daily.

Misconception 5: You are able to adjust your diabetes drugs to "cover" anything you eat.

If you are using insulin for your diabetes, you could possibly discover ways to adjust the quantity and type you take to check the quantity of what you eat. But this does not mean you can eat just as much as you desire, then just use more drugs to stabilize your blood glucose level.

Misconception 6: You will have to stop enjoying your preferred foods.

There isn’t a reason to quit your selected foods on the diabetes diet.

Misconception 7: You need to stop trying desserts when you have diabetes.

Far from the truth! You are able to develop many methods for including desserts in the diabetes diet. For example:

* Use low calorie sweeteners in desserts.

* Reduce the quantity of dessert. As an example, as an alternative to two scoops of frozen treats, have one. Or share a dessert with a friend.

Misconception 8: Low calorie sweeteners are dangerous for those who have diabetes.

Sugar substitutes tend to be sweeter compared to equivalent quantity of sugar, therefore it takes a reduced amount to obtain the same sweetness present in sugar. This should greatly decrease your calories compared to sugar.

Misconception 9: You have to eat special diabetic meals.

The difference between a diabetes diet and your family’s "normal" weight loss program is this: When you have diabetes, you have to monitor that which you eat a little more closely. Including the quantity of calories you eat and the amounts and varieties of carbohydrates, fats, and protein you consume.

Misconception 10: Diet Foods Are the most useful Options for Diabetes.

Just because something is labeled a "diet" food does not necessarily mean it is a better option for those who have diabetes. Actually, "diet" foods can be expensive and no better than foods found in the "regular" aisles of the supermarket, or foods you prepare yourself.

And You? Still looking over this article? Move out and enjoy what you eat!

The author: Dorothy Kato blogs for Diabetic Menus diabetic food blog, her personal blog that shares ideas with individuals to prevent/manage diabetes and help others comprehend the idea of healthy eating.

Do you gift past clients or vendors that send you referrals that become new clients?  If so, what do you gift and what is the approximate value of the gift?

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/utterly-engaged/shelter-box-usa

Normally, tomorrow would be Fabulous Fashion Friday here on The Stylish Planner.  However, I just can’t bring myself to carry on about a pair of designer shoes when I listen to news reports of food shortages and snowfall upon the many recent homeless souls in Japan.  The gals over at a couple of my favorite blogs, Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours have collaborated on a wonderful fundraising effort with ShelterBox, an organization that provides urgent, temporary needs for people affected by natural disaster.  Shelterbox was on the ground in Japan the Saturday after the earthquake – impressive.  I was happy to make a donation today and I hope that you will check out the link to For Japan With Love as well.

My heart grieves and my soul prays for the people of Japan.  

Photos provided by: www.benjaminscot.com and www.henryphotography.com

Company name:  MMJ Events

Years in Business: 1 and 1/2

Website: www.mmjevents.com

Blog:  www.mmjevents.blogspot.com

How would you describe your personal style:  Trend loving girl next door. I have an obsession for shoes and good jeans.

What is your "go-to" meeting attire?  It depends on the meeting. It can range from black pants with a cute top, to a casual dress, or dark jeans with heels and a dressy top.

What is you "go-to" evening industry event attire?  Any chance I get to wear a cute dress or skirt I’m on it!!

What is your attire for wedding day set-up?  Comfort is so important. I usually wear jeans or leggings and every once in awhile I throw on my Team Bride glitter t-shirt.

What is your attire for actual wedding?  A stylish dress that is also comfortable. Although I wish I could wear stilettos throughout the whole wedding I can’t so usually I only wear them for the ceremony then switch to a cute pair of flats.

What style and brand of shoes do you wear on wedding/event days?  I have to say I am not prejudice with my shoe brands. I’ll go from a pair of Louboutin pumps to Target flats. As long as they look good and don’t kill my feet I’ll wear them.

What are your favorite jeans and why?  Paige jeans are my favorite right now. Gotta love jeans that make your booty look good.

What are a few of your favorite cosmetic products?  Mac is the majority of my makeup but the non-mac products that I love are Cover Girls lash blast mascara and Kat Von D eye shadow set from Sephora.

What products are in your current skincare regimen? Origins and Neutrogena

Who is your favorite celebrity style icon and why?  They tend to change a lot but the one who has been on the list consistently is Jennifer Aniston. She always looks so fresh and cute. Newly on my list is Blake Lively her dresses on the red carpet are always stunning.

Please share with us (in 50 words or less) your favorite beauty or style tip:  The only thing that really matters when it comes to style is that you feel good in what you’re wearing. Even if 100 people tell you that you look fabulous, if you don’t feel fabulous in what your wearing CHANGE. Confidence is key!

For those who do not have their own studio space – what is your preferred location (or type of location) to take client meetings?

Leave a comment below and let us know!