Today we’d like to introduce you to Elissa Onda.
Hi Elissa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I got started in the rental industry back in 2013 when I started a company called Tot Traveler, which is dedicated to baby equipment rentals. Wanting to expand and stretch my creative legs, a few years later, I took a leap of faith and started Sweet Dream Sleepovers. We specialize in Slumber Parties, Glamping, Tea Parties, Picnics and Movie Nights. As well as our newest expansion into film production and prop rentals. We have successfully worked with ABC, MTV, and VH1 and now offer custom-designed glamping and camping film props. I am very proud of the way the company and our team have grown since we opened. We started out doing small events, trying to convince people to give us a try, and now our books remain full, and we have to turn away more clients than accept. It wasn’t always easy; it took a lot of discipline and dedication, but because I love what I do, the journey has been incredible.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Creating a new business is as much challenging as it is rewarding. The biggest struggle I faced was “doing it all.” At the beginning of Sweet Dream Sleepovers, I was tackling all of it: disinfecting, prepping the parties, answering the emails, invoicing, marketing, bookkeeping, delivering, and setting up all the parties, on top of being a wife and mother, running a household. Every day, I was in the weeds, always playing catch up, trying not to let a ball drop, and I was burning out quickly.
When you are treading water personally or professionally, you are in survival mode, not able to slow down, take a breath, and think clearly. I could feel the water rising above my head, and at that moment, I knew “doing it all” was not serving me. I began to outsource laundry and began to hire on more and more staff to prep and set up the parties on their own. Of course, in the beginning, it was hard to trust other people with “my baby,” but that has come back to me tenfold. The only way to grow is to trust the processes you have set up let go of control.
We’ve been impressed with Sweet Dream Sleepovers, 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?
Sweet Dream Sleepovers is Atlanta’s premier Slumber Party Rental Company. We rent both outdoor and indoor tents. Our Signature Sleepover transforms the slumber party experience into a night to remember. Each child enjoys their own private tent with all the trimmings with themes designed for girls and boys of all ages. Our Gorgeous Outdoor Glamping lets you spend the night under the stars in our expansive sweet dreams tent. A fully Instagram-worthy event, this luxurious outdoor stay is what lasting memories are made of. Enjoy a dinner or a high tea you’ll never forget with our Pretty Picnic and Dreamy Tea Party experiences. With our Outdoor Marvelous Movie Night, the stars aren’t just on the screen. Just sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy your favorite flick under the night sky.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
It is our passion to create simply stunning sleepover parties. Our aim is to make every Sweet Dream Party a truly unforgettable experience, whether it’s your child’s first sleepover or a night of celebrations with family and friends. We aim to help forge connections, build lasting memories, and bring a sense of wonder back to your life. I truly love what I do and hope to continue in the event and rental industry for years to come. The biggest addition I am excited about is expanding into film and prop rentals after working with a few television networks recently.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sweetdreamsleepovers.com/parties
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetdreamsleepover/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetdreamsleepover/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SweetDreamSleepovers/featured
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/Az2VDjc
Image Credits
MTV
