Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Greenway.
Hi Lydia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In high school, I shadowed a friend who coordinated high-end weddings in Athens and Atlanta. She taught me so much, modeling excellence and what it means to be a kind, hard-working, courteous professional. I had no idea how much I would use the skills I learned from her in the years to come.
I started college out of state at a private school for a degree in International Relations but ended up moving home for financial reasons just before my Dad got diagnosed with ALS in 2013. As our family experienced the hardship of extended illness, I hustled my way through a Hospitality degree at our local Gwinnett Technical College while cleaning houses and nannying during the week, then coordinating weddings for friends on the side. During this same time, a friend and I also opened a local chapter of the National League of Junior Cotillions, an etiquette program for children that teaches them social graces and life skills, as well as ballroom dancing.
In 2016, I was nominated to represent Gwinnett Tech as their Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership spokesperson of the year, and this experience introduced me to some of the most incredible professionals and educational leaders in our state. I graduated, then was hired by the Admissions department to give tours of the college and connect with prospective students, all the while still teaching etiquette and directing weddings on the side.
On the eve of the Covid shutdown in 2020, I had just hosted my biggest event of the year and watched as the Hospitality and Events industry experienced HUGE losses, just like so many other people and businesses. I left GTC to become a full-time nanny for a family with 5 children, during which period I also met my future husband. In May 2021, we got married and he began the process of applying to medical school.
With a potential move on the horizon, I knew another shift would be inevitable. I finished my nannying assignment and in August officially opened LHG Events & Consulting. During the week, I assist multiple clients as their Virtual Assistant, and on the weekends I direct weddings, as well as manage events for a local venue in Lawrenceville, 550 Trackside. I love the flexibility of working from home, and the challenge of being now a full-time entrepreneur has been humbling and exciting.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think anything worth doing is ever a smooth road. “Struggle is the spice of life” I recently heard someone say. Going from five years of a consistent 30-40 hour work week with a 9-5 schedule to the ebb and flow of 20-50 hours of work with a sporadic schedule has presented challenges to my creaturely routines and habits.
Having a steady paycheck directly deposited to now being responsible for invoicing clients if I want to get paid has challenged my budgeting and organizational skills.
But the biggest blessings have been my supportive husband and community of friends and family.
Never could I have pursued this dream if my husband wasn’t as hard of a worker as he is.
We are still in the “beginning chapter” of this part of the story, and I’m excited to put in the work it will take to grow my network and my business full-time after years of event planning being “just a side gig.”
We’ve been impressed with Events by Lydia, 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?
https://www.lydiagreenway.com/
I specialize in wedding planning and event coordinating, as well as virtual assisting as a client liaison for various business owners/non-profit companies.
Everything I do comes with a healthy dose of kindness, joy, grace, and hard work. I am committed to my clients on a personal AND professional level and want to be known for producing excellent results/memories while being one of the kindest and most positive ladies they’ve ever worked with.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is playing outside in our big yard with my siblings and ALL the neighborhood kids. Everyone loved to come to our house, and sometimes our dad would come out and play with us when he got home from work. Our mom did a great job of cultivating our imaginations, and we had such a great time inventing games and stories all together. They even let us make the garage attic into a clubhouse. I guess even back then, I was planning parties and hosting friends more than I realized.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lydiagreenway.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventsbylydia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086266881081
Image Credits
Kristin Link Photography Four Eighteen Photography
