Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Akins.
Hi Kayla, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been doing event planning professionally since I was 21, I have worked in several box hotels in various roles that all tied into it. Not to mention the fact that I have a degree in Hospitality Management. Coming from a small developing island (St. Lucia) where tourism is the number one source of revenue for the economy, it seemed only natural to me that I took this path. It wasn’t until I had my son and I was planning his first birthday that I decided to step outside of doing it just for work but doing it for me.
I had so much fun curating every detail for his party that I knew I could definitely make a business out of this. This was in August of 2019- pre pandemic. I filed the LLC, got my contracts together and preferred vendor list. But I was so busy with work that I didn’t get a chance to really pursue it. Then came along the pandemic. The hospitality industry was the hardest it industry, I should know I was furloughed for about 18 months. While that was devastating in itself, I was not about to sit in corner sulking.
With the support of my husband, who really encouraged me to go for it.
I decided to really focus on my business. I invested most of my savings buying equipment and inventory. I invested in marketing and really spent time doing research of who my target market was.
I put myself out there and prayed that someone would see me and they did.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road! No matter how much you know or how much experience you have there will always be a learning curve. Especially when you don’t have the support of a big corporation behind you.
The biggest challenge for me has been learning how to say “no” no to the to wrong clients, no to underpricing myself, no making the wrong decisions.
My husband is like my right or wrong odometer. We discuss everything, he so objective and can look at things with a business eye and help me decide whether or not we should take a job.
We’ve been impressed with Frills & Chill Events, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a husband and wife owned and operated boutique Event Management Company. We specialize in Event Planning, Event Decor and Event Rentals.
As an individual, I am a professional event planner, currently pursuing a project management certification and my CMP. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management, along with several other professional certifications. What I bring to the table is my knowledge on how to plan a successful event and the creative designs.
My husband, who is my right hand in the business holds an M.B.A. and he is well versed in business side of things.
What sets us apart is the passion we bring to the table, no matter how small or large the event is we make sure that we put are all into it. On paper, you can say that our quality control process is unmatched. We provide our clients with pre-event renderings (a 3D image of how the event) will look before we set up almost like a window into mind.
Another thing that makes us stand out is our Pick Pay Party flexible payment option.
It’s simple
Choose a package (or customize)
Pick your payment plan
Party!
We provide a personal experience, no question is unwelcome. Because we want you to love the end result not wish it could have gone differently.
To date, we have done a lot of events! But I’m most proud of is being featured by Market by Macy’s for the small business highlight and for this feature in Voyage ATL.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have mentioned him a lot but my husband is my biggest supporter. He is at every setup, without him these events wouldn’t take place. He drives the truck, he carries the equipment he helps with the design. He really has embraced the potential of our business.
And of course, our family and friends specifically my mother and mother In law. Those two are the biggest cheerleaders. Our siblings and close friends also play an integral part. Without their support and that of close friends, this would not be the same.
Contact Info:
- Email: Hello@frillsandchillevents.com
- Website: www.frillsandchillevents.com
- Instagram: Frillsandchillevents
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/frillsandchillevents/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/chillfrills
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/frills-and-chill-events-mcdonough-4
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/tqXXSK
Image Credits
I’d like to credit Bee Snaps Photography for the in red Market by Macy’s Setup shots Gerald Lyosi Photography for the set up Shots. Anthonie Deandre Creative for the brand images. These are all our preferred photographers and they do an amazing job.
