Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in event management but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lisa Daley, founder and CEO of Blue Light Events, located in Ossining, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Blue Light Events is a group of event planners and managers with a wide range of knowledge and experience in events and event technology. Currently, our focus is large-scale corporate events, but we have the resources to assist with smaller-scale events.

I believe what makes us stand out is that we make an effort to understand your exact needs, so the event you imagine is the event you’ll get. We are here to help create not just an event but a memorable experience. We consider our clients part of our work family. So we are equally passionate as them about executing a flawless event.

Tell us about yourself

I was in school for early childhood education when a friend told me about a small company in Connecticut that was in the event industry. It was suggested that with my personality and love for organizing, I should inquire about a job there. So, I did. I had no idea that the choice I made that day would put me on the path to my lifetime career and eventually lead me to start my own company.

I love to work, organize, and bring people together. My natural way of being is a perfect fit for this industry. My passion alone for planning and organizing keeps me going with a smile every day. I love what I do. I always have, and I always will. I was absolutely born to be in the events industry, and I’m grateful every single day that I found my niche.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Two things stick out - one was landing my first client. Before that day, it was such a rollercoaster ride. Some days I was motivated, positive, and confident that I was on the right path and the business would come. On other days, I was down and questioning if I had made the right choice. I wondered if I should give up and find a 9-5. I am so happy that I didn’t give up.

The second accomplishment is being able to provide work for others. The event industry took a big hit from COVID, and people I’ve worked with and have known my entire career were all out of work, including myself. As events started coming back and I reached out to the people on my team, I realized I wasn’t just building my business, I was helping friends. There is an indescribable feeling that comes from knowing I can help others with my dream and passion. I am grateful for everyone on my team and appreciate them and their hard work.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Doing everything yourself before you can afford to hire help. I have touched every area of a business to make mine successful. I have been in sales, marketing, tech, accounting, social media management...the list goes on. I’m very lucky to have resources in my close circle in all of these areas that I could lean heavily on for support. Though it’s my company alone, it doesn’t go unnoticed that I wouldn’t have any of the success without the help of my family, friends, and colleagues. I’m appreciative of every one of them. I believe in paying it forward, so when presented with the opportunity to help another in business, I always will, however I can.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Map it out. Make a plan. Having a plan of execution is a must (and not just because I'm an organizer by nature!), but here's the kicker - know that no matter how much you plan and prepare, you must be flexible and ready to deviate from the plan as you go along. Running a business is not for everyone, so if you're going to do this, keep your goal in mind and keep pushing forward even with the setbacks you will inevitably face.
  2. Take a step forward every single day, even if it’s sending just one email. As long as you take a step to move forward every day, those steps add up. You might feel like it’s nothing at the moment, but in a year, you’ll look back and realize how all those little things added up to big changes and traction.
  3. A friend gave me advice when I started that made a world of difference - every time I feel scared or nervous, I should tell myself it's excitement. Changing "I'm nervous for this call with a potential client" to "I'm excited for this call with a potential client" hyped me up to take the leaps I needed.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I'm a single mother, and starting my own business with a little person relying on me was probably one of the scariest decisions I ever made. Failure was not and is not an option. I'm hoping my son will understand the hard work I put into this business for us one day. I hope he will see what I'm doing now and it will motivate him to be hardworking, driven, resilient, and successful in whatever he chooses to do in life.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.bluelight-events.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eventswithbluelight
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventswithbluelight/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eventswithblue
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluelightevents/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.