Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonja Roberts.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sonja. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Born and raised in the Metro Atlanta area, I started my service to the community by volunteering and observing my family’s leadership at our home church in East Point. As a teenager, I assisted with planning a number of youth events and played a role in our youth leadership team throughout high school. As a student in the South Fulton public school system, I had my first taste of event coordinating while planning our 2007-2008 Homecoming week with my business class. During this time, I earned recognition as Ms. FBLA for class of 2008 which I feel, sparked my interest in event coordinating.
During my undergrad at Valdosta State University, I was hired as a manager for a local restaurant called Big Nick’s on Baytree. Here I learned the ends and outs of planning successful business functions, annual homecoming events, and weddings. After graduating, I was hired on with the local government in the areas of communication and constituent outreach, where I have gained three years of experience. In those positions, I have been given the opportunity to write for some amazing people, provide service within the community, and assist in planning some of the top events in the City of Atlanta.
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?
It has definitely been far from a smooth road for me. Upon entering college, I struggled with a lot from my past that I had never confronted which caused me to get distracted and lose my drive. I chose to sit out of school for almost three years and just work and figure out what I wanted to do next. In that time, I went back in forth about going back to school and what I truly wanted to do with my life. Being in South Georgia, you meet a lot of people who are okay with staying in the small city and somehow making things work. I knew that this wasn’t a permanent situation for me but where I needed to be for the moment. During those eight years, I experienced some very trying times, but I always had the support of my family and friends to get me through.
After re-enrolling, I still struggled with what to do next and it wasn’t until I met with my advisor in our undecided program that he encouraged me to select communications as my major. This was the best decision for me because I was interested in learning and felt more connected to my environment. I almost had a minor setback after losing my grandmother a few weeks before my last semester but the courage she gave me during this process truly helped get me through it. Then finally, after three years of playing catchup, two internships, and managing an entire restaurant, I graduated with a Bachelors’s degree in Speech Communications.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Chone Ro Events – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
As an event and project coordinator, I specialize in completing the clients’ vision. First, I listen to their plans and ideas and think of ways to build them out with a full team of coordinators that specialize in logistics, decorations, entertainment, etc. Then once all parts are laid out, I come in with the final execution of what works and what doesn’t work and the game plan for the day of. From special guest arrangements to the setup and breakdown of the event, I make sure the day goes smoothly and all moving parts are working.
I think the thing that I am most proud of as a business is my willingness to constantly learn and adjust to whatever situation that is put in front of me. There is no such thing as a perfect event and if you can’t make those split-second decisions, you won’t make it in this game. The thing that sets me apart is I don’t mind working. I have been a server, bartender, host, and even cooked a little, so I know what things should look like, but I also know how to jump in and make sure it looks that way.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I feel like my future is very promising, but I don’t know what my future looks like because I never imagined being in the place I am now. So, it’s hard to say what you WANT your future to look like when God is constantly showing you bigger than you can imagine. At the moment, I am just going wherever I am needed and learning all I can before I take my leap. As far as changes, I am looking forward to taking that next big step towards having my own event space. It’s something I’ve always wanted, and I know with preparation, it’s coming.
Contact Info:
- Email: chonero08@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sl_chonero/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Joshua Spruiel (photo of me with shades on), Cam Mitchell (group shot with Mayor of City of Atlanta), and Bri Catley (flower wall with Mayor’s Midsummer Daydream on it). All others are personal photos .
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