Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaliyah Parks.
Aaliyah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started planning my own birthday parties at 13 after my parents were tired of my over the top ideas. I sold candy all year at school to raise the money. They started at hotel rooms to friends houses. At 21, I booked my first venue on my own and had a “Vegas In ATL” Themed celebration for myself. Hired a Magician and went as over the top as I could imagine and afford. That received the attention from my family and friends who then started booking me for their celebrations. Now at 25, I’ve turned it into a business and I’m learning new things every day! Mom to a one-year-old and setting an example for my daughter.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been very bumpy. I don’t have the amount of experience or resume to attract higher-paying clients. I work “9-5” and many times, I pay for decor out of my own just so the event will look nice enough to show off to potential clients. Many events I did for free just for a shout out I didn’t receive. Some of the tools and decor I’ve bought in exchange has been damaged and worn out without any rental fees or damage deposits to cover me to buy more. I can’t charge fees if the client couldn’t afford it, to begin with. Budgets as low as $50 can only get decor out of Walmart. Nothing is wrong with Walmart but the clients I want to attract aren’t going to say “I love what you did with that banner” They are going to think “Hey, I can go buy that and put that up myself.” Then, I’m no longer needed. I want to create an atmosphere where it feels that only “Events Paradise” can give. If the budgets are small then my payment is small. Which leads to me doing everything alone. If I hire help, I would have to give them my payment because ultimately they are there just to help me. They don’t love events as much as I do to continue to work for free. My mom is normally my “Team.”
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Events Paradise offers Event Planning, Event Designing, Hosting of Events and Rentals. From Balloon work to custom backdrops, if I don’t do it personally, I have vendors who do it at a rate just for Events Paradise clients. I’m most proud of my growth. I’m always learning something new and always meeting amazing people who don’t mind helping and encouraging and teaching me things that could help my business.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a hustler and an entrepreneur before I knew what each of those words meant. I was even a leader at an early age. I created my own organization called I.T.T. (Independent Talented Teenagers) where I and a group of teenagers volunteered our services to help any and everyone. It ended very, we did a car wash to raise money for our T-shirt’s and the money was stolen by our very own treasurer. Many left the organization after that. My interest in growing up was to be an Interior Designer. I went to school for business management to give me more of a security net under interior design but during the journey, I decided to use my education of business to support Events Paradise. I couldn’t have made a better choice.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4048045415
- Email: eventsparadiseonline@gmail.com
- Instagram: @EventsParadiseOnline
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EventsParadiseOnline/
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