Too loud
Too Much
Too picky
A perfectionist
A people pleaser
Extra
I have gone through life desperately wanting everyone to like me and for everything to be “perfect.” I wanted some sort of master plan or perfect timeline for life that I could meticulously follow.
I was always trying to fit in. I had dreamed of having my own business but wanted to follow the plan that had always been presented to me.
I was fired, I had quit, and I had failed. I was working two and three jobs at a time, always with one foot in advertising and one in the wedding industry. I didn’t know how this had happened when I was giving it everything I had.
I sobbed as I was told once again that I was too much and yet not enough. I was told my personality wasn’t a good fit - and while that was true, it felt like every mean girl, cyberbully, mean tweet, or comment from teachers, former bosses, and mentors flooded over me. I didn’t fit, but had I ever?
I didn’t fit, but had I ever?
I was too much but how did that make me unqualified to pursue the dream that I had given up every weekend of my 20s for? I had added an events minor to my victory lap year of college just to take wedding planning classes, I had quit my job at Lululemon, giving up my supply of free activewear and workout classes to work for a local well known photobooth. I had spent sleepless nights on the phone with the Boston Red Sox and every wine magazine in the country, planning events from Facetime and Google Drive.
I had coordinated events at a venue that was locally notorious for former employees to be called survivors. I had sacrificed the pursuit of finding my person in order to celebrate those who had found theirs.
Did I need to be likable to be successful? Did I need to be quiet to be acceptable? Did I need to be less to make people comfortable? Did men ever ask themselves these questions?
How was I supposed to run the biggest day of someone's life by being small?
That night I drove to a friend's house to cry as I determined the next step. I went through every possible name I could name my company. Then I looked up at my English major friend and said a word I knew she would understand. This was it, I had a name - using
Sonder
“That’s a damn good word,” she said.
The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
I was the main character, but so was everyone else. Every client, vendor, and guest would be seen. I waited until the 8th to register my LLC as I listened to Frank Sintra’s “My Way.” Spooner than I thought, I started booking clients, planning events, and executing weddings. “Helen,” my dad said, “this was always the plan.”
A year later, I was at Common House executing my most anticipated wedding yet. A local well-known photographer was marrying the love of her life in the sparkle of candlelight and disco balls. The wedding party of NFL players, the large crowd in a small space, the ice cream truck, the donut delivery, the unique timeline, and a fire alarm…fire truck included were all part of the most perfect night. My introverted client needed me to lead so she could just be. “I feel like you would kill for me,” she said when I handled every little bump of the day.
When the fire alarm went off at the end of the night, I yelled over to the photographer, “Get a picture.” As the tipsy bride was standing right in front of the firetruck, I sprinted to delegate everyone to a floor to ensure this was a fluke. I had to be loud; I had to be a lot.
Too loud allowed me to command a room. Too much lead to never running out of new ideas and the energy to execute them. Too picky lead to being trusted by my clients to set tables and style decor just as they had described. A perfectionist that could bring inspiration boards to life and curate concepts perfectly. A people pleaser to ensure that clients, vendors, and guests feel seen, heard, and cared for.
All the things that were too much have led to reviews that say, “ goes above and beyond.” My company has become known for being not like the rest, aesthetically messy, and not for everyone - an acquired taste if you will.
I am extra, life is vivid and complex, and timelines and plans are now what I do best.
8+
AUTHORITY BUILDING FACT ABOUT THE FOUNDER THAT BUILDS TRUST
2K
AUTHORITY BUILDING FACT ABOUT THE FOUNDER THAT BUILDS TRUST
5M
AUTHORITY BUILDING FACT ABOUT THE FOUNDER THAT BUILDS TRUST
story starts at this very unltering experience..,
Helen Elyse Row was a serial flow girl as a child. She has been planning events since her junior prom (this is a heartwarming story if you ever want to hear it). From formals to 5Ks she learned the in and outs of managing logistics. She studied Public Relations and Event Management at university.
Before launching Sonder Event Co., Helen worked for five years as a wedding vendor and venue coordinator on the weekends, while working in marketing and PR full time. She has planned events in conjunction with the Boston Red Sox, international and local wine brands, and Sam Kass, the Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition Policy and Chef under President Obama.
Living in her hometown of Richmond, VA, she owns a boutique wedding and experiential event company.
While planning weddings is her life dream realized, she has never been one to just stick to one thing. Being the advice friend and the one everyone calls when they need something - her purpose is to serve. So here it is: helenelyse.com a place for strangers, friends, and fans to connect with Helen, benefit from her wealth of wedding knowledge and read her musings.
So while Helen pretends she’s Lauren Conrad in the mid-2010s and relives her Tumblr days - book time with her or subscribe to her newsletter for everyday romanticism.
...and the rest is still unwritten
IT IS A pleasure to meet you
Vienna Carmeron
HYPE WOMAN
BUSINESS COACH
CONTENT CREATOR
MODERN PINK LADY
Here you unfold a bit of your origin story in a way that helps your ideal audience connect with you and recognise you as the best choice to work with.Let your audience get to know you better!
Where have you been, and where are you now? What steps did you take to get here? What's your core belief, and how did you achieve success? All these experiences and knowledge have led to what you offer today. And how have your personal & professional experiences made you the expert and go-to person within this field? So, tell us, what do you offer due to all these experiences and insights? We're eager to hear all about it!
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