As a budding (and devoid of any talent) musician, I loved the live music scene. I quickly learned that free shots didn’t only get sent to the stage, they found their way to the booth as well. After a few months of posting up with the sound guy and asking “Do you know what all those knobs do?”, I found the perfect part of the industry for a behind the scenes girl, like myself.

This job taught me to love the hustle. I was the first to show up and the last to leave. I could make or break a show and go completely unnoticed (for the most part). I also found a love for creating a space for others to let their talent and creativity shine.

I’ll admit it, at this point I had worked several food service/bar jobs, and I had been a garbage employee at every one of them. Working for Allyn showed me what it is to create something with your own two hands, and really care about it and the people who clock in every day to help make your dream come true. He put his whole heart into that place and every person he entrusted it to. I had a 401k and health insurance as a bartender, FFS! This job was pivotal in my formation as an adult and lit the entrepreneurial spark.

You know that thing that hits you around 30? The voice in your head that tells you it’s time to be a grownup? That’s what happened here. In all honesty, it was kind of miserable. The purchasing manager kept a jar of peanut M&Ms on his desk so he could feed me when I would curl up into the fetal position under his desk. What did I learn here… I learned to manage a department without any provided resources, and that sometimes the voices in my head are full of shit.

This job really got me into my big-girl pants. I did ALL the things there: on location corporate audio, equipment repair, project management, logistics, client care, administrative support… the list goes on. It was a very demanding job with long hours and travel, but I loved it! I found a passion for being part of a team producing large scale, high budget events. I came into this job a lone wolf, but learned quickly that having the right folks in the tribe can make magic!

There I was, wearing the big-girl pants and working long days, hopping around the country, when I found the guy and had the kids (two at once, I am very efficient). My husband is also in the events industry and it became clear that one of us had to create some flexibility in our schedule to care for the family. I had dabbled in videography at this point, and filming weddings was the perfect solution: film on the weekend, edit (market, keep books, sell, create, etc) from home during the week. It was perfect!

This industry has taught me what lights me up inside. CONNECTION! People are at their most joyful and most vulnerable on a wedding day. I love basking in that chaotic glow. I love being the person to set a mind at ease, the person who solves the problem. I also learned that “Bridezilla” is just a trope…. It’s the Momzillas that you have to look out for.

I realize this entry is sightly out of order, but for the sake of flow I have placed it here…

Obviously starting a business does not guarantee an immediate income. I needed something that was flexible to fill in the cracks (they were very large cracks). Honestly, I had missed that camaraderie of the food and beverage industry. That family of misfits that develops when you are in the weeds, maybe hungover, and desperately need someone to get a drink order at table 12. This job was a blast, so much so that I kept my brunch shifts for 2 years after my company was off the ground and I was making enough money to support my part of the family budget.

The take-away from this job is an important one: Being completely grown is overrated, and if you don’t have a band of misfits, are you even living?