This week’s womanpreneur, Michelle, is all about luxury wedding planning – BUT not in the “ritzy” sense. I love her definition of luxury and process to create the perfect wedding for her clients. (You’ll just have to read on to see what I’m talking about!)
Michelle and I met through a mutual friend and I can remember when she was just about to launch Meraki Wood Events. I am so excited to watch Meraki grow and prosper.
MEET MICHELLE, WOMANPRENEUR!
When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?
I knew from a very early age that I wanted to own my own business. I was 18 when I got introduced into the event world as a career and from that moment being a wedding and event planner was the only career I was ever interested in pursuing.
How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Meraki Wood Events is based on the Greek term “Meraki” – It means to do something with your soul, your creativity, your love. It’s when you really put something of yourself into what you’re doing. That is exactly what I do with my clients, I work with them to bring their individual love story to life in event form. I also want people to realize that a luxury wedding doesn’t mean ballrooms and crystals. Luxury happens when you are in a state of great comfort. My planning process focusing on the five senses and creating the ultimate guest experience, and yes, sometimes that happens where you least expect like a charming rustic barn or in your parents backyard under a tent.
What is the biggest struggle you’ve encountered as an entrepreneur and how did you solve it?
Remembering to practice patience. As a new entrepreneur/womanpreneur, you’re excited about your business and you want it to take off but the path to success isn’t a straight line.
What do you think are the pros and cons of being a womenpreneur?
Pro: You are in charge and that gives you the flexibility to build your business in a way that fits your life. I’ve also always believed in the power of a woman’s intuition. Being able to trust your gut is a powerful tool.
Cons: Breaking through stereotypes. Especially for me as a mom, I often get asked questions that I don’t think men would get asked, questions about juggling children, how I handle my home life. I think as women we often get labeled when in reality we wear several different hats, no woman is “one type!”
Do you have any mentors or coaches that you work with?
Not at the moment, but in my 15 year career as a wedding planner I have been blessed with the opportunity to work alongside some of the most sought after planners, especially in NYC and the Hamptons where I was dealing with a lot of high-profile clients and a few celebrity weddings. These women took me under their wing and taught me not just about the luxury wedding market but about business and life too.
What advice would you give to someone reading this that has the entrepreneurial “itch”?
Don’t let fear hold you back, I wish I would have started sooner. It’s so important to stay true to yourself. It will be hard for others to value you if you don’t already believe in yourself.
What is the secret to achieving work-life balance for you?
I’ve always disliked this question because balance means its equal and I personally don’t think you can ever truly achieve an equal balance as an entrepreneur/womanpreneur. There is going to be a time where one thing needs more attention than the other and you must be willing to be flexible in order to focus 100% on whichever that is at that moment.
What works for me is being able to quickly shift my focus when I need, especially as a mom. I once read a great article by Barbara Corcoran who explained how you really need to compartmentalize, clearly divide what you’re focusing on. If I’m at my son’s soccer game, I don’t want to miss a great play because I was looking at my emails and likewise if I’m in the middle of an important design meeting, I won’t answer my husband’s text about dinner plans. It’s about making sure you are fully present in the moment.
How do you find inspiration?
My husband, an entrepreneur himself, pushes me to work smarter instead of harder and my kids inspire me with their curious minds and imaginations. I am constantly inspired by fashion, art and culture, but I always say nature is my true greatest muse. I recently saw the most beautiful wild peacock while out on a run on a trail and it reminded me that if you slow down to look for it, inspiration is found everywhere.
What is your favorite book?
Oh there are so many! But one that will always stick with me is Dr. Suess’s The Lorax. It only takes one person to make a difference, you just have to care a whole lot!
What is your favorite quote?
“Some people look for a beautiful place, others make a place beautiful.”― Hazrat Inayat Khan
What do you do to decompress?
Running! Seriously, there isn’t any other activity that can clear my mind like a good run.
Meraki Wood Events
I didn’t have a wedding planner when Rich and I were getting married. I could only imagine how much easier and calmer the entire process would have been if I had Michelle by my side.
Please follow Michelle on Facebook, Instagram, and be sure to check out her website!
If you have any wedding-related questions, please feel free to leave them below.
Don’t forget to check out the other amazing womanpreneurs I’ve had the honor on interviewing over the past few months. Below are a few!
Crissy says
What a great profile. I love being inspired by my fellow entrepreneurs! Also, totally down for the work smarter not harder philosophy.
Dana says
Michelle has it down pat with the work smarter not harder philosophy!
Amy Desrosiers says
Michelle sounds like an empowered, creative woman. I have always loved the thought of being a planner since I consider myself motivated and artsy.
Dana says
Amy, she is super creative – a true expert in her field!
Tara Pittman says
I love her favorite quote. I need to stop looking for beauty and create it
Dana says
I love Michelle’s quote too! And her definition of luxury…so attainable and realistic!
Kathy says
She sounds like an amazing women. I love being able to read these and get to know others. It’s great to hear more about them.
Sue says
She sounds like a smart business woman… and what a fantastic quote! That’s awesome that she knew from such a young age that she wanted to be an entrepreneur.
Dana says
I agree, Sue. I admire that she worked in a more corporate setting and then had the drive to branch out on her own.
Sherry says
I think it’s great that she discovered her passion early in life and is living it. I would have loved to have had her as a wedding planner for my wedding. We didn’t have one.
Dana says
Me too, Sherry!!!
Lisa Joy Thompson says
I love reading about other entrepreneurs and their stories and journeys. I agree with Michelle that balance is such a misnomer. It truly is about figuring out what works for you and your family and your business.
Dana says
Agreed 100%, Lisa! I feel like everyone’s definition of balance is totally different.
Toni says
This is very inspiring!! So empowering for all womenpreneur!
Catalina says
Such an inspiring life! I love to read about positive people that have accomplished great things in their life!
Anne Marie says
I’ve always thought it would be so fun and meaningful to be a wedding planner. It’s such a momentouse day for the bride and groom, and being a part of that must be very memorable. Loved the interview, and I really admire Michelle’s creativity!
Anne Marie says
Oops, misspelled momentous!
Dana says
LOL no worries!
Dana says
Thank you, Anne Marie! She is super creative and totally gets what a wedding should truly embody!
Eileen M Loya says
She is great role model for women young and old, 15 years as a wedding planner is awesome! I love her advice. Learned a lot and willing to apply these to make any endeavor a success.
Dana says
Eileen, I’m glad you were able to take some things away from her interview. Michelle is a great role model.
Myrah Duque says
Wow! What an inspiring life. A very creative woman. Posts like these motivate me. It’s refreshing to read about positive people.
Celebrate Woman Today says
This is a great way to learn about other women and what they do with their lives. Truly inspiring.
Erin Miller says
What an inspiring and creative woman! Love her quote and everything shes doing!
Dana says
I couldn’t agree more, Erin!
Amber Myers says
Oh wow, what an impressive woman. I am working on practicing to have more patience.
Marie Phillips says
She is amazing! And I totally love her philosophy of speaking to all 5 of the senses. It is the way I teach because using all of the senses allows you to see, learn, and remember so much more! Adding that to a wedding steps up the whole experience exponentially.
Nyxie says
What an inspirational woman. Love the idea of speaking to our 5 senses, it’s something we never had brought up when I was young.
Natalia says
I always love to read and to carry out such interviews as they are always so inspiring! I’d love to be womanpreneur just like your interviewee! 🙂
Cristina Petrini says
I always try to be inspired by the entrepreneurial skills of women who have succeeded and I hope to follow their example.
Barbies Beauty Bits says
What an inspirational woman. Love hearing about other women succeeding. Her job sounds fun and I’m sure stressful, but she gets to participate in manys happiest days.
Dana says
I am sure it is a stressful job like you said, Barbie. BUT, like you said – she gets the joy of participating in many happy days!
Fatima Torres says
I love reading about other people’s successes! It can be quite inspiring.
Susan1375 says
Work smarter not harder is a great philosophy to live by. Insightful and interesting interview
Bindu Thomas says
Very inspiring post. It sure important is to work smarter rather than work harder.