Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Rhodes.
Amber, 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 my Allure Charm Events in March 2014, starting first as a wedding planner and coordinator as a side job from my 9 to 5 – a destination management company. I left my 9 to 5 in 2016 – and fully dedicated Allure Charm Events as a wedding planning and destination management travel company.
As with any startup company, I had very low and slow times. Most of my start-up business was from ads I ran on Craigslist – and I received a few wedding clients. So that, plus word of mouth helped my company to grow. After I left my “day job” – I decided that I loved the travel aspect of my job, so I incorporated travel also as a part of my company. I had eight years of experience planning and arranging travel from private small families to large corporate tours and functions. So, I knew I could do this as well – where destination management meets the local wedding planner. The goal is to eventually build a company to have a few dedicated agents to work for my team.
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?
There were many challenges. The first was the startup business registration and license I didn’t have money to get at first. I wanted to fully be a business working within the parameters of having a small business in the state of Georgia. The second was pricing everything incorrectly and sometimes ran upside down on events. I had to learn what I needed to charge to stay in business. I had to find clientele that was worth investing time in. I learned that time is money – and while someone is jerking your chain, someone else wants to book. I have seen this on so many occasions. So, I had to learn quickly to weed out the bad and unprofitable. I also had to take a break in 2017 because I just had my daughter and couldn’t get on my feet to coordinate for that year. I made a mistake getting back too soon before my body was ready, and I paid for it later after a wedding I did six months postpartum.
We’d love to hear more about your company.
Allure Charm Events & Travel is a professional full-service event & travel planning and management company. I handle and take care of special events, wedding or destination management. I specialize in group travel: reunions, school trips, and corporate incentives. As a company, I am proud that I am still thriving being five years in the business. I didn’t know if it was going to take off as well as it did. I just knew I had to start what God placed in my heart to do. I believe what sets me apart is my passion for meeting my purpose. I went to school for journalism, not knowing I would create a love for organizing other travel arrangements and making their trip unforgettable. I love to serve others by organizing an amazing trip they don’t have to arrange. They can just live in the moment while I handle the rest. I really enjoy helping make memories for people and groups.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up i was mostly a quiet girl who always was comfortable in the background. I was an A & B student with an occasional C here and there. I didn’t get into much trouble and didn’t worry my parents, too much, with discipline issues. I almost always had a small circle of friends in all seasons of my life. As I am a product of a divorce family, I remember having to always split my time between families, and I guess that’s why I’m more family oriented than friend oriented. My favorite pastime growing up was writing in my journal my thoughts, aspirations and what I was going through at that time. I remember aspiring to be many things, but a travel planer was never in my thoughts. It’s amazing how life can develop and mature you into what you’re called to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.allurecharmevents.com
- Email: amber@allurecharmevents.com
- Facebook: Allure Charm Events
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