From Job Loss to Boss: My journey of curating a thriving business
Over the course of the last year, a disproportionate number of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances have been affected by layoffs. Being with folks through this tough time has led me to relive a lot about how EOD started. It’s a story of conviction, finding opportunity in challenge, the strength and power of relationships, and believing so deeply in a vision that just had to become a reality.
Four years in, I feel compelled to share a bit more about EOD's origin story with the hope that it sparks inspiration, courage and conviction in anyone considering following your passion in a moment of challenge.
In many ways, I think I have always been an event planner… in every professional and volunteer role I’ve had since high school, I have been drawn towards visioning, planning and executing events that bring people together and foster community. However, it took a series of events to help me realize this and embark on this four year journey of starting and scaling EOD.
HOW IT STARTED
It was the first week of January 2019 when I unexpectedly lost my job. I had started the year feeling so confident and secure in my professional trajectory and financial future. And not even a full week into this new year, and there I was, calling my husband in a state of total disbelief telling him I no longer had a job. Words can not begin to describe the range of emotions I was feeling. Blindsided. Devastated. And… just fundamentally Lost. Four years later and I can still remember clearly every detail that led up to this monumental moment that ultimately led to the beginning of this new chapter. While it took some time to grieve and recover from such a disruptive transition, looking back, it is so clear that the entire experience reignited the entrepreneurial fire that has burned within my family for generations. I just had to take the leap of Faith…
It’s funny how the universe aligns to make certain things happen. As it so happened, days before my termination, I had spent the weekend vision boarding with a group of friends. As we were sharing our goals with one another, I found myself confidently stating, “This is the year I am going to launch an event planning business.” Little did I know that two of EOD’s first events would come from this group of friends. From then on, I hustled. I responded to every opportunity. I applied for every event planner job I found. I did every kind of event, on any timeline, and with various budgets. Along the way, I received constant support from my family and friends. A friend with a communications background helped me write my website. Another friend took my headshot. My bridesmaids helped to promote my business on the official launch date. And in a whirlwind of events, EOD came to life.
Financially, my family was able to make this happen through a combination of the severance package, friends renting out our basement, and cutting expenses so that we could rely on my husband’s income while I got started. I also applied for and received unemployment while seeking out every free and discounted resource to help me start EOD, including receiving support from the DC Small Business Development Center and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
At the time, that first year just felt like putting one foot in front of the other on faith, every day. Looking back now, I see that while EOD’s success relied on resilience and hard work, it was more than that. It was about a community of support. It was about finding the financial resources to work toward a new future. And as I’ve learned more about the legacy of entrepreneurship in my family, I think I’ve channeled a little bit of my grandmother’s spirit along the way. Whether it’s a Colombian immigrant new to the United States posting up a flower shop or her granddaughter launching a business after losing her job, there’s a through line of hope, determination, and a love of beauty and joy that sustains me.
HOW IT’S GOING
This year was incredibly special as we welcomed 10 new clients, grew our team to 5, and doubled our revenue from last year. We are preparing to head into one of our busiest seasons as a business, but couldn’t be more thrilled to be supporting so many diverse events this fall and winter. As we look ahead into 2024, we have big goals to sustainably scale the experiences we support, evolve our services offerings and to have some fun along the way.
Personally, as I begin year 5 at EOD, my biggest challenge is transitioning from a Founder into a CEO. While EOD’s story has never been mine alone, the business now belongs in the capable hands of an amazing and growing team. My job evolves and changes every few months to accommodate our growth, our expanded service offerings, and what we learn along the way. I’m motivated and ready for this shift in my role and feeling so grateful for all the new growth opportunities on the horizon.
I’m looking forward to another breakthrough year, more in-person events, and the opportunity to learn alongside our incredible clients.
Lessons Learned in Year 4
Commit to Constant Reflection and Continuous Improvement
After each event, we reflect as a team on what went well, what we could do better, and also what should be a standard practice for EOD in similar future circumstances. I’ve learned the importance of constant learning and being adaptable both as a leader and as a business owner.
Hire A++ People to join your team
As a new business owner, I cannot overstate the extent to which having amazing people working with EOD has changed the game. Our trajectory would not have been possible without a team of innovative, flexible, and deeply committed individuals.
Refine the Approach
We’re piloting new services at EOD, and each of these services reflects something we’ve learned with our clients each year. Internally, we’re codifying processes and finding new efficiencies so we can become the best at what we do.
Gratitude at 4 Years
Early Clients
Our early clients took a big chance on EOD, investing in the idea of the business we would become. None of this would be possible without our first clients!
Today’s Partners
Our partners today are truly amazing people and organizations working to improve their own work through unforgettable experiences. It is such an honor to work alongside each and every one of our partners.
Relationships
Without a network of caring/talented mentors and friends along the way, I know EOD would not be where it is today. To every person who has taken time to give me advice, support, and kindness along the way - thank you!