Rising Stars: Meet Toni Dugar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Dugar.

Hi Toni, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I relocated to Covington, GA from Washington, DC in 2013. I knew nothing about Covington prior to moving here, but I love the area. Since my relocation, I noticed that there weren’t many events occurring on the Eastside and little to none occurring in Covington/Conyers area. I, like many of the residents of Covington, desired to attend events locally versus traveling into the city. In addition to being a business owner (Bee’s In The Trap, Calm + Peace, and Hustle Your Hobby) I’m also a professional event curator. I reside in Covington, my business and my daughters’ businesses are based in Covington, and I work my day job in Covington. I desire to play in Covington and enjoy my neighbors and support fellow businesses in Covington. I live by the motto, if you don’t see what you want – create it. With that in mind- Covington Conyers Community Events was birthed.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road to hosting events in Covington started off super easy because the community was excited and eager to participate. There was a lot of community support, resident support, and business support. After three successful events, which grossed 500+ attendees we have recently encountered a few challenges from Newton County Parks & Recreation however, we are still moving forward with the community events as planned. Covington Conyers Community Day brought the community together, supported back to school initiatives (free haircuts, free book bags, free school supplies, free classroom supplies for teachers), health initiatives, spotlighted small businesses and Oktoberfest along with Funnel Cakes with Santa were family focused, fun activities for both parents & children.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Covington Conyers Community Day was produced in 3 weeks. I saw other communities have their own day, and I wanted the residents of Covington to have our own day. After Covid, we needed a break, we needed to have fun, we needed to laugh, we needed to support small business, but most importantly we needed each other. July 25, 2021 had to be the hottest day of the entire year (lol..lol..) it reached well over 100 degrees. I remember the elders coming up to me thanking me for hosting, the sounds of kids laughing, seeing them run in the splash pad with their clothes on, the businesses selling out, the DJ playing all of our favorite jams. It was a day for the community. I’m most proud of being presented with a plague from the amazing business owners who took my Vend Like A Boss Class. All of them were vendors at CCCD, worked behind the scenes to ensure that day was a hit, and my vendor bosses as I call them surprised me, made me cry, celebrated me and honored me with a plague. I will never forget that moment. Covington Conyers Community Day wasn’t for me- it was for US – all of us who live, work, and play on the Eastside! Stay tuned for Community Day 2022!

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I defiantly am a risk taker. As many people who wanted to see Community Day happen, there was twice as many who did not believe that it could happen or that it would be successful. I put my money, name and reputation on the line. Without risk, there is no reward. I taught my children better to risk it and try than not try at all and sit in the “what if” seat. TAKE THE RISK!

Contact Info:

• Email: cccommunityevents@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/covington_conyers_community/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CovingtonConyersCommunityDay

Image Credits:
Walil Archer Photography Forever Lens Photography