Where are we going?

In February of 2013, at the age of 23, I decided to start a creative outlet. As a quintessential busy bee the idea of juggling a full time career, a social life, and a new business venture just came naturally. The more interesting part of my story is that I created Pop the Cork Designs with just $100. No bank loan and no credit cards! Many critics thought opening a small business after a recession was a terrible idea- and don’t get me wrong, It was not easy – but with with a little stubbornness and a lot of grinding I turned my dream into a reality.

Pop the Cork came from a quote my mom would say, “Happiness in Every Bubble, ” for some reason when I bought that domain it just felt right. I purchased the domain off of Go-Daddy for 11 dollars while sitting in my corporate job. Not the slightest clue on how I was going to do this. One relocation, four website templates and nearly five years later, I have employed over 15 young women all under the age of 28! Together, we work really hard while still keeping an upbeat and fun atmosphere in the workplace.

My team is easily my favorite part about my business. Mel has been with me since the very beginning and I truly owe a lot to her. It has been so fun seeing each one of my staff grow up right before my eyes. Each girl that has worked for #PTC is very much like me. HUSTLERS. Jenna (the other blonde) at one point had four incomes coming in at one time. Megan (not pictured) now does events for the Four Seasons and my cousin Jeannette now lives in DC doing events for a medical company. All of them are strong women that come from different walks of life. They understand what it means to get the job done and I would be truly lost with out them.

My team is also the reason I keep going. I have had some dark years. In 2016 I did 20 weddings and a few of them were not easy. One in particular still haunts my nightmares. In 2017 Forbes rated wedding planning number 5 of the most stressful jobs. As a planner you are not only a project manager but you are a therapist, best friend, a MOB punching bag, bartender, janitor and let’s not forget the Houdini of the event industry. After 5 years and over 60 weddings I have a few ones that really stick out to me:

The time Russel Dickerson played at one of our weddings!
The time my client fired her previous planner to hire me.
#Werrellyoumarryme I have never cried so hard (happy tears).
When a clients venue closed their doors 2 months prior to their wedding and took all their money. We still made pure Magic.
Bradshaw weddings…I was lucky enough to do both daughters.

As for the next five years and beyond I am taking a max of 8 weddings. At this point in my career I am happy with quality over quantity. I have missed out on friends weddings, family functions, graduations and other fun things to work on the weekends. With that being said though my staff can do their own! Some of my favorite weddings were done soley by Jenna and Mel.

I love this business and all the trials and triumphs that have come along with it! (I mean Washingtonian Rising Star ..come on!) I can’t wait to see what the future has in store (see what I did there) for it. Some of our brides have turned into some of our dearest friends and that it something you can’t get from other careers. Thank you for stopping by and supporting me and this crazy idea I had almost six years ago.