IAM554- Boutique Event Owner Provides Planning Services

Trish Simitakos is the owner of Trish Star Events, a boutique event planning agency based in Washington DC, which provides planning, design, management, and production services. She launched TSE in 2014, after more than 15 years in the events and hospitality industry. She was recently named Planner Extraordinaire on the Northstar Meetings Group's list of Top 25 Influencers in the Industry for 2019. Her goal is that you should love your event as much as you love the reason for it, and has built a reputation for being the event planner that other event professionals hire.

• CEO Hack: Stalking other people's businesses
• CEO Nugget: Don't necessarily believe the hype about something
• CEO Defined: Freedom of thought

Website: http://www.trishstarevents.com/

IG: @trishstarevents and @trishinreallife
Facebook: trishstarevents
Twitter: trishstarevents

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Transcription

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Intro 0:02

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long long interview? If so, you've come to the right place, Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO podcast

Gresham Harkless 0:29

Hello, hello hello, this is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast I have a very special guest on the show today at Trish Simitakos of Trish Star Events. Trish, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Trish Simitakos 0:38

Thank you so much. It's awesome to be here.

Gresham Harkless 0:40

Yeah, definitely super excited to have you on and what I want to do is just read a little bit more about Trish so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing. And Trish is the owner of Trish Star Events a boutique event planning agency based in the Washington DC area, which provides planning, design, management, and production services she launched TSE in 2014.

After more than 15 years in the events and hospitality industry. She recently she was recently named planner extraordinaire on the Northstar meetings group list of 25 Top 25 influencers in the industry for 2019. Her goal is that you should love your event as much as you love the reason it has built a reputation for being the event planner that other event professionals hire Trish. Are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

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Trish Simitakos 1:18

Absolutely, fire away.

Gresham Harkless 1:20

Let's make it happen. So I wanted to kick everything off and hear a little bit more about what I call your CEO story. And what led you to get started with our business?

Trish Simitakos 1:26

Oh, well, it's it's a, it's kind of a funny one, because it's both direct, with a lot of sort of twists and turns. Right. But I think that a lot of people have a very similar story where, you know, my, my first business was, you know, in my teen years, right, where like, you know, whether that, you know, it was like selling candy bars for the school or, you know, Avon or, you know, whatever it is you're doing when you're a teenager, and you think that, you know, I want to launch a business, so I'm gonna sell T-shirts or whatever you're doing.

So I caught that taste for entrepreneurship very early in my career, decision making, you know, realm, you know, that time a period where you're sort of making those decisions for yourself. Umm, but, you know, as I grew older and had responsibilities and bills to pay and a mortgage, I went to work for American Express, I went to work for Intercontinental, and I decided that what I really needed was a foundation.

If that is being, you know, an event planner was going to be my goal is, you know, not that a whole lot of people follow the same formula, I just felt I needed to follow that formula, I needed to have a certain list of criteria met a certain list of skills that I've developed, so that when I hit the ground, I hit the ground running, I didn't want to get out there and put my name on something that was going to be, you know, sub superior, by my own qualifications, so and that's what led me here.

Gresham Harkless 2:57

Nice. Well, I definitely appreciate that. And I appreciate the entire process. Because I think a lot of times, especially like when you're starting a business, or even starting anything new, you kind of help to have that kind of guideline on how to do it. And I think you know, you reach true mastery when you're able to do that, but then also to kind of tweak it and make it your own as you start to evolve and get more comfortable with and it kind of sounds like that's what happened with you.

Trish Simitakos 3:17

It did, um, you know, and it was kind of a little bit of a shock to the system when I did finally launch my business because I realized, you know, I now keep in mind, I'm in Washington DC right now, but I'm originally from the New York area. So it was in Manhattan, building my career there. I went to Miami for a few years. And in each of these large markets, you did not become a planner, you did not hang your shingle on that door until you were a very established name, or you did have this sort of broader background.

Or at least you didn't become a good one. But it was when I moved to DC that I realized this in my career has a very low barrier of entry, you really can be anybody who just woke up this today and be like, Oh, that sounds like a good idea. There's, there's no real, there's no requirements of certification, there's no requirement of skill or knowledge, you really can just wake up and say, This is what I want to do.

And in some instances, that works because some of these girls work really hard to get, you know, to get up to speed very quickly. But then it creates a situation where I kind of look back at my bathroom like oh, that I need to did I need to spend the 15 years but I can tell you it was well worth it like five years into the game, I have a depth of understanding and can speak to the industry in a way that you know, maybe someone with a shorter, you know, ramp up or lead in cannot.

And so I think it just all depends on what you want from it. You know, this is I wanted to be someone who, you know, was known as an authority or a leader in this industry, and I and you can only do that through mastery. You can only and you can only get mastery through experience. So, you know, whatever you want to do.

Gresham Harkless 4:58

Yeah, no, that makes so much sense. And I think so many times we forget that and of course, there is definitely you know, value in, you know, learning and being able to take courses and things like that. But it's really hard, to skip over the time that it takes to really be a master at your craft. And I think that mastery of you know, the industry and whatever you're doing, and all the nuances of that is one thing, also mastery of yourself and understanding, like what works for you how best, you know, those things kind of take time to in order to evolve.

And it's great to know that you have that experience, you've been able to lean on that, and to build it and to grow that and make your making develop your business. So I definitely appreciate that. So I know you touched on it a little bit, but I want to take wanted to hear a little bit more about like how you work with clients, can you take us through like kind of that process generally, and what you usually do?

Trish Simitakos 5:43

So generally speaking, what I tell people about hiring a planner specifically, or hiring any really any event professional, is you're gonna, you're gonna hire someone based on one of two desired end results, you either are looking for a specific look, and you're willing to pay whatever price that is or premium or do whatever it needs to, you know, needs to be done to get that specific book. Or you have something else in mind, you have something a look in your mind, you have this concept or idea and you need someone to extract that and work with you.

And, and make that happen. And there's no real wrong way to do it. Right. Because there are that, you know, that leads to this sort of strong divide in event vendors, who really there are there are planners out there who developed a look. And I kind of like the interior designers or like the couture, you know, people of the industry, excuse me, where they've developed the look, the look is their look, they know how that works. They know how it's going to be priced.

They know how long it's going to take to load in, they know the ins and outs of that. But you're not going to hire the girl who does who focuses on you know, Parisian pink, you know, frilly you know, lace and pearls to do custom because you know, country rustic bohemian with chickens and goats. Like that's, that's to me, that's not going to be in her wheelhouse. You know. So in that case, what you really need to do is focus on hiring people who can work with your customer vision.

And so that's what I do is I sit with my client, I determine, you know, and I kind of work from the from backward to the beginning. You know, that's my first question at the end of the day, if this is your event, this is your Gala, this is your wedding, this is your company party, clients have walked out, your guests have walked out your attendees have walked out? What is What do you want them to take away? From that experience? Did you want them to say, Wow, that was really spectacular.

Did you want them to go walk away with a particular message? Did you want them to feel inspired? What is the goal of gathering all these people, you know, on this particular day, and then we build backward from there, then we say okay, you wanted them to feel like, this was your wedding day and they walked into a garden, and they had you know the following menu, it becomes an easier process when you can work backward from there.

And you, you can definitely identify a lot of gaps easier in that process rather than starting with like, so tell me about your vision. If you start vision first. That's the thing is, you know, at least from my process, if you start vision first, or generalized vision first without getting to that, to that end result, you get really caught up in the vision.

Gresham Harkless 8:27

Yeah.

Trish Simitakos 8:27

and it doesn't always work out that way. So if we focus on the result, if we focus on what you want to see, at the end of your vision, we kind of just from there.

Gresham Harkless 8:38

Yeah, yeah, I love that. Because a lot of it is like Franklin or Franklin Covey, Stephen Covey's, I'm sorry, begin with the end in mind from the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, you always want to make sure that you begin within the mind because a lot of times you're doing that event.

And you know, as I said, when I introduce you as well, too, usually there's something that you want to get from that. So that's really where everything else kind of pours from. So if you're able to kind of have that Northstar, when every decision that you make, it kind of sounds like it helps you to kind of bounce it back against that just to make sure that's in alignment.

Trish Simitakos 9:04

Right. Exactly.

Gresham Harkless 9:06

Awesome, awesome, awesome. And the types of events that you do is it is it all ranging? Or is it specific types that you're trying to focus on?

Trish Simitakos 9:11

My events tend to be social events, so the weddings, bar mitzvahs, you know, parties, or corporate with a social cause. So you're really so I don't really take on events sucks, it's like going to be like a dry trade show or just something that's, you know, super corporate, or super, you know, aligned with like a very process looking for feel about it. I, you know, when I take on the corporate I'll do maybe like a branding activation or a gala.

Most recently, one of my clients was the DC Pod Fest. So that was, you know, almost like 200 people and they all gathered together to hear speakers and it was fun, you know, yes, it was corporate. Yes, it was this sort of event that, you know, was corporate in nature, but it just kind of felt like a big group of people getting together and having a good time. You know, so I tend to take on those events.

Gresham Harkless 10:03

Yeah, it makes perfect sense. And definitely, you don't want to put words in your mouth. But it kind of sounds like there's a lot more of that result the reason why it's a little bit more a part of it than having that kind of cookie cutter. Okay, the flowers go here, the balloons go here, it's more of like, this is exactly what you want to see result-wise. So this is how we're going to be able to make that happen.

Trish Simitakos 10:22

Right. And that really, that really is why, you know, when I say, you know, my goal is that you love your event, as much as you love the reason for it. Let's get to that reason. Let me know why are you putting this on. Did you put on a DC Pod Fest? Because you're kind of like, this seemed like a really good idea today? No, it's because you really love podcasting. You wanted to create this event that brought all these people together to you know, to hear from other incredible people in the industry. So, you know, once you start there, everything else is an easy decision. Really?

Gresham Harkless 10:52

Yeah, absolutely. It's like that experience is something that you want to make sure that you capture well. So I definitely appreciate you for doing that. So you might have already touched on this, but I wanted to ask you for what I call your secret sauce. And this is for you personally or for your business. But what do you feel kind of sets you apart and makes you unique?

Trish Simitakos 11:06

You know, for me, it's the it's a level of service, right? Like I hear it all the time? Well, I should backtrack a little bit. I say that because it's something that has been bounced to me, from my clients, when they when I asked them, or what I hear from them repeatedly is, you know, that I'm very responsive, that you know that I give them a level of service that they don't really find anywhere. You know, before I started my business, I worked in catering.

And really in the first year out of catering I booked north of $2 million for the business, it was like two and a half million dollars for the switch, which was someone just starting in the catering industry or having just started with that company was pretty, pretty much unheard of. But when people asked me about that, and people ask me about the success I have here today, and why I have clients that book with me, you know, 10 and 15 years, I mean, I have clients from my American Express days, I have clients from yours in the past.

And it's it all boils down to that it's like, you know, they know they're gonna call me, they know they're gonna get a response, they're gonna get an honest answer. And then they're going to get the information that they need to get when they need to get it. Because I value their business. And I value their dollar like I value my own money.

You know, and I keep telling people that that, you know, no matter, it doesn't really matter to me how much money you spend on anything that any particular element because I'm going to respect that if you only have 50 bucks to spend on something or $500,000 to spend on something that you know that both things should be respected in your hiring me to guide you to the best decision on how to spend that money. So, you know, I think people gravitate towards that.

Gresham Harkless 12:47

Definitely appreciate that. So I wanted to switch gears a little bit. And I want to ask you for what I call a CEO hack. So this could be like an apple book or a habit that you have. But what's something that makes you more effective and efficient?

Trish Simitakos 12:57

I like stalking people. I like doing a deep dive into other people's businesses, especially if I don't like you. Like if I don't like you, then I'm doing a real deep dive. Right. Because clearly, there's something about either you're, there is something about what you're doing that is really just, you know, you know, twisting, you know, twisting my arm, you know, in a very bad way. And I want to find out what that is.

Gresham Harkless 13:21

Nice. So now I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. So this could be like a word of wisdom or a piece of advice. Or if you can happen to a time machine. What would you tell your younger business self?

Trish Simitakos 13:30

Don't necessarily believe the hype, The hype isn't just because there's hype around something doesn't mean there's magic around that something.

Gresham Harkless 13:38

Exactly, absolutely. So now I want to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. And we're hoping to have different quote-unquote CEOs on this show. So Trisha, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Trish Simitakos 13:48

I think, you know, being a CEO means to me, freedom. And not just financial freedom or you know, freedom of time, but freedom of thought freedom of creation.

Gresham Harkless 13:58

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Well, Trish, I truly appreciate that definition and appreciate your time even more. What I want to do is pass you the mic so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional, you want to let our readers and listeners know. And of course, how best they can get ahold of you and find out about all the awesome things you're working on.

Trish Simitakos 14:11

Oh, fabulous. Thank you. I you know, I think just like the final thought to people, is just keep going. You know, you're you're gonna get you know, I'm sure you've heard it before. You'll hear it again. You'll hear anatomy, you're gonna get 1000 nos before you get that one. Yes, you might get a million nos before you get that one. Yes. But that's all it takes is that one. Yes. So you just have to keep going.

You have to you know, and if you get stumped, you know if you stumble across a certain, you know, skill or path or something and you find yourself really struggling, reach out to the people that have done it, you know, in the way or have been in your mind successful at doing whatever that is and ask them for the help. Again, not everyone's gonna be kind to you.

They don't have to be, but someone will be there will be someone who's out there who's like, yeah, you know what I got five minutes this week, I'm gonna show you how to do this, I have a couple of minutes, let's grab a coffee. There will be people out there, you just have to keep going until you get to those people and just keep to keep it swimming. That's it. Keep your head above water. And if people want to reach me, they can definitely reach out through any of my social media, feeds. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, is Trish Star Events.

And my website, of course, is Trishstarevents.com. You can always email me it TS at Trishstarevents.com. We are happy to, you know, try and, you know, help as many people as I can, you know, just not during the busy season, do not call me on Friday at 2 pm. That is the worst for any wedding planner ever in existence. That's my nugget. Don't call wedding planners on a Friday. You know, but otherwise, it's good.

Gresham Harkless 15:52

Nice, I definitely appreciate that. And what we'll do is we'll definitely have those links and information in the show notes so that everybody can follow up with you. And make sure not to call at 2 pm on a Tuesday for sure. Especially during the busy season. So yeah, so But I appreciate the the words of wisdom as well too, of keeping going.

I think sometimes we forget that the way to be successful is just to continue to keep going, even if we have to crawl even if we're not walking as briskly as we would have hoped last time so just keeping going throughout the good and bad times that helped us to be successful. So appreciate that word of wisdom and appreciate your time again, I hope you have a great rest of the day.

Outro 16:22

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO podcast powered by Blue 16 Media tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co. I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE. And leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.

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