Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Roberts.
Hi Regina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I love event planning. Managing the chaos, creating safe spaces for my clients and producing events that bring my clients’ vision to life has been my passion for over twenty years. Initially, I followed a traditional path and obtained both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from my favorite HBCU – FAMU. I then worked in telecommunications and pharmaceuticals yet continually found the most fulfillment when I volunteered to assist with events or planned and produced events as a side business. Each time I was planning and producing events I felt I was fully using my gifts. My primary work was fine but what I did in my spare time really ignited my passion.
Along the way as others invested in me and prayed for my success, I have invested in others and prayed for their success. Paying it forward is a way of life. Faith has put me in places where I was able to be a blessing and I am grateful.
Eventually, I was working on a great team in state government focused on improving child welfare and in addition to other responsibilities, I was tasked with planning and managing events. It was no surprise that the event planning was my favorite part of the work! I prayed about it, talked with my husband and then made a proposal to the project director – I could shift from being a state employee to being a state contractor (and entrepreneur) and contract my event planning services. My proposal was accepted! That was the official beginning of my business, Events by Saving Grace. Ever since, my full-time work has been planning everything from multi-day state-wide conferences and fundraising events for non-profit organizations to weddings and retirement celebrations. Along the way, I have had the honor of working with the best clients.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been entirely smooth. I am thankful that the past few years have been financially secure but I’ve experienced some lean times since starting this business. Yet I would not trade the journey because the independence I enjoy is invaluable.
I vividly remember struggling through the production of a multi-day conference for over a thousand attendees when a close family member died. It was the worst work week I have had in my business. I got the job done but it was a struggle and I leaned heavily on other team members.
When the pandemic hit, I was initially concerned about the future of my business because the majority of the work I had done was in-person events. I took the opportunity to get certified in online event planning and production. It proved to be a great investment in my business and the skills I built allowed me to assist clients with virtual and hybrid events with confidence.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work with Foreverfamily continues to be very rewarding. The non-profit organization provides services to children experiencing parental incarceration and their families. It’s been a part of my life since I was a teen volunteering at the summer camp. Over the years I have volunteered and assisted with events and I joined the National Advisory Board a few years ago. I currently serve as co-chair for the annual 5K4Kids.
I also love working with the Women of Color Initiative through ProGeorgia. This initiative supports women of color in policy-making and leadership positions in Georgia and conducted the first known study to focus on women of color’s voices on policy priorities. The initiative has helped bring forward the voices of women of color to guide decisions in the allocation of resources.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risks are necessary. I took a major risk in officially moving from being a salaried employee to a contractor so many years ago. It was not a difficult decision but it was scary because it meant my income was dependent upon my work, my hustle, my commitment. In recent years I have found it easier to make decisions on whether or not to get involved in a project or take a new route with my business because I know what works for me. I pray about it and then I am ready. And I know as long as I am living, there’s always another opportunity to make a new decision in life and in business.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@eventsbysavinggrace.com
- Website: www.eventsbysavinggrace.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/eventsbysavinggrace
Image Credits
Aarti Sharma Arlene Dicks Ashley White
