Interview with Cheri Denise Events
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"Our Mission is to surround people with beautiful designs that make them feel special. We create moments that bring joy to our client’s hearts."
My name is Cheri Davis; I'm the owner of Cheri Denise Events which is an ultra-chic event planning and floral design company located in Mequon, WI. I’ve been in business five years strong and brings to every project my love and passion for what I do.
Website: www.CheriDeniseEvents.com
SS: How do I sleep at night with all those creative thoughts brewing in my head?
Image via: Talk about York
CD: Almost every night I whine down with a cup of peppermint tea with honey. It’s the entire experience with drinking tea. I love beautiful china and dinnerware. I have several sets of different patterns. I use one of my favorite cups every night. There’s comfort in rubbing the cup to feel the warmth coming through as I sip the tea. I say a prayer silently to myself always asking for direction and guidance. Afterwards I just fall asleep with no problem at all.
SS: How do I Juggle my family and business effectively?
CD: Trying to find a balance with family and business is still a challenge. I am married with grown children and I still have a difficult time establishing the balance the two. I strive to do better each day, at least to sit down at the table and have dinner with my husband without the phone and social media. Making time for me is important as well. I make sure I get that in as often as possible.
SS: In my free time I:
CD: Love to cook, have guest over and enjoy my home. Since birth I have had a passion for dancing and music. Love going to concerts!!! Spending time with my extended family is important. If I can’t see them, I call and check on my family. My uncle instilled that in me at a young age.
SS: My favorite TV show is:
CD: A must watch TV show for me now is Scandal!! OMG, I am on the edge of my seat every Thursday night at 9 o’clock CT. Ms Kerry Washington is the leading actress and she is phenomenal in this role. Ms. Shonda Rhimes is one of the most creative TV writers I have seen in my life time. I would love to sit down with both of these great ladies and have coffee. I can’t wait until next season. I love watching, Super Soul Sundays on OWN and the Food Network. I like to watch Ellen, she has a good heart. I watch Extreme Home Makeover when I feel like crying. LOL
SS: My must read book is:
You can get it here!
CD: There was a period in my life when I read a minimum of one book a week. I want to get back to that at some point. The one book that I have read and often reference is by Pastor T.D. Jakes, Before You Do. The book is about making great decisions that you won’t regret. My regret is that he didn’t write the book when I was younger. But it’s still relevant in my life today. It should be a required read accompanied with a course for our youth.
Get yours here!
SS: What's in my closet?
CD: First of all, I am truly a Southern girl that loves summer. (Why am I still in Wisconsin? That's another interview). I love classic pieces that I can pair with different items and accessories that never go out of style. In my closet I have, Michael Kors, Ellen Tracey, Tahari and Calvin Klein. Shoes are a serious addiction for me. My habit has gotten better over the years. I hear them calling my name out loud and I must answer. My designer for an everyday chic look on my feet is Via Spiga. I have a Via Spiga pumps, platforms, and boots that I wear and switch around quite often. They are not very expensive and they look good on my skinny legs!!! My favorite colors to wear are purple, green, white, red and black. These colors compliment my skin tone best. I’m on the go a lot so having articles of clothing that are comfortable yet fashionable that I can dress up or down is critical. One of my favorite outfits is a pair of lounging pants with wide legs and domain sleeve top that looks great. It can be dress up or dress down. I purchased it from Ann Taylor a few years back. I receive compliments on it every time I wear it. I can add bold necklace and a kitten heel for the evening and still look fabulous.
SS: What gives me a kick in the morning to start my day?
CD: Taking care of my health is very important to me. Treating my body as my temple is critical. Working out first thing in the morning is the best. I have a gym membership and I attend the cycle class two or three times a week, Zumba twice a week, and weight lifting three times a week. I follow up with prayer and writing down whatever I’m feeling in my journal almost every day.
SS: My Favorite Color is: Purple
CD: Purple is the color that is predominant in my home. It is bold, prestigious and it makes a statement. The color purple exudes an atmosphere elegance and class. This is what I feel when I walk in my home. A nice, soothing, and elegant atmosphere.
SS: If I didn't have my business I would be:
CD: Working in fashion! These are the two careers that I love and I can just lose myself in it. I’m blessed that they both sort of intermingle with each other. One of my ultimate goals is to open a fashion boutique for men and women.
CD: There are a few magazines that will get my attention right away and I draw inspiration from them. I have a subscription to Essence Magazine. Essence offers something for everybody. Vogue is my favorite fashion magazine. The industry magazines that I love are Munaluchi Bridal, Grace Ormonde, Wedding Style, Inspire Smart Success, and InStyle Weddings. I have more of these on my book shelf than any of the others.
SS: My company and what it is I do:
CD: Cheri Denise Events is a full scale event planning company that offers services that encompass planning and designing for all occasions. The services that we offer include Event Planning, Event Design, Floral Design and Stylist/Styling for clients, brides, grooms, as well as the bridal party. We service clients in Wisconsin and Illinois area. We have service clients in other regions of the country. Our Mission is to surround people with beautiful designs that make them feel special. We create moments that bring joy to our client’s hearts.
SS: What makes your company & services different/unique from all the others?:
CD: My objective is to give anyone who desires to work with me a memorable experience from the initial meeting until the event completion. Consistently building the relationship while showing them I have their best interest at heart is my primary concern. I do this by listening to what my clients say and listening to what they don’t say, because these details are priceless. An Event Planner has to be inquisitive in order to get to the source of what’s most important and special to the client.
SS: With money being a big issue these days, how is it budget friendly?:
CD: Creating moments throughout the event that are memorable to the client and their guest can be achieved with incite and creativity regardless of the budget. I believe that it important to customize my services to the vision of each individual client.
SS: What are some tips for those who cannot afford your services?:
CD: Tip One: Make a List Every event planner makes a list. The more detailed your list are the more organize you will be. I would advise the individual to categorize and prioritize various aspects of the event that are important to them. Tip Two: Enlist Help Find people who are invested enough in the event to dedicate their time and energy to help make the event successful. It is important to delegate manageable task and assign a person who will hold you accountable for decisions and task that need to be accomplish. Tip Three: Time Management Research how much time vendors need to complete various task. Use this information to establish deadlines and write them on a calendar. It’s important to be cognizant of the time demand necessary to meet your goals. Remember technology is your ally. Phone apps, reminder email, and online task manager are valuable tools of the trade.
SS: What inspires you when it comes to your type of business?:
CD: I draw inspiration from beautiful art, different cultures, nature, fashion, and interior design. Researching different forms of design is fascinating to me. I believe sources inspiration can be found all around us. I enjoy reading fashion and design magazines, visiting museums, as well as traveling to different parts of the world. Inspiration is not only visual for me, it’s often and emotional experience.
SS: If your company is related to the wedding industry, from your experience what are some of the new trends ?:
CD: Barn weddings are huge right now. Having a wedding at this type venue is budget friendly and the décor is very simplistic, along with the attire of the bridal party. Sweet/Pastry buffets are very popular. Couples can offer an array of different sweet treats for their guest. Cupcakes are in high demand. They are small, appealing to the eye. Coffee Bars are really hot!! Everybody loves the different flavors, syrups, and creamers. This is good to offer as a late evening treat to your guest.
SS: What are some hot colors that are in style now?:
CD: The new Pantone color for 2013 is Emerald Green. We will see a lot of this color in weddings next year as well as every aspect of design in 2013. We will continue to see jewel tones of red, blue, purples, green and gold in wedding décor.
SS: What are the do's & don't when it comes to your type of business?:
CD: Do’s: •You have to be personable, approachable, and flexible with your clients and vendors. •You have to continue to learn and educate yourself in this industry. I try to attend two educational events per year. •Network, and continue to inform people about what you do. •Acknowledge and give credit to your vendors. You all have the same goal to please the client and hopefully obtain more business. Don’ts •Do not be to be different or original. •Do not be afraid of hearing no for an answer. Be persistent someone will eventually say yes for the right reasons. •Do not be afraid to say you made a mistake. Admit you were wrong and make the correction right away. • Do not burn bridges. Always be professional in difficult situations.
SS: What advice do you have for those shopping for your type of services-products?:
CD: My advice to anyone looking to hire an Event Planner or Designer is to hire the person they feel comfortable with. Review the testimonials and ask to see pictures of their work. Are they well organized, demonstrate a good work ethic, and can problem-solve quickly? Events don’t always go smoothly. Usually the disaster happens at the last minute. Do you feel you can trust the person to solve the problem quickly without involving you?
SS: A little extra:
CD: Each time I meet with someone is an opportunity to create a memory. We all go through so much in our daily life. Our schedules, families, and jobs are so demanding at times. If I can provide them with something to look forward to, laughter/ fun while creating and event that awakens their spirit and senses, that inspires me. I enjoy making their surroundings as comfortable and as beautiful as possible. Not only do I owe this to my clients, but I owe it to God whom has blessed me with this precious gift. I do not take this for granted under no circumstances. It touches my soul in a way that I can’t explain. My bar is set high and I don’t mind working hard to reach over the top of it. This is a second career for me. I was not happy working in the corporate environment because I could not be creative. I did not have control of my own destiny. When planning and designing I can work for hours on end because I have the passion and drive to do it well, and be successful at doing something I love.
