Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dee Wagner, owner of Dee Wagner Events, located in San Rafael, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I own and operate an event production company that also offers wedding planning, full-service catering, and floral design.
Tell us about yourself
I've always been drawn to the experience of gathering with food as the focal point. I spent my childhood on our family farm and learned the value of creating and making food. Some of my first memories are of my grandparents' garden. Even when I was working in my first career (television journalism), I was always cooking for friends, hosting parties, and dreaming of being in the food industry. When I transitioned to a new career from the South to the West Coast, I finally embraced the food world full time. I worked managing restaurants, trained as a chef and cooked professionally, and then launched a catering company before finally taking the plunge and starting own company.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Surviving and thriving through COVID. I launched my business three months before COVID. I pivoted to a meal delivery service during COVID which saved my business. I also started a 501 3 c non-profit during COVID, "NoHungerHere". I came together with fellow chefs to create food which was distributed to houseless communities.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The responsibility I feel for my employees. I made a promise to myself when I started my business to do everything in my power to create a supportive and empowering environment for the people who work with me. For me, it's a mandate I take very seriously.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Confront you fear and do it anyway.
- Be kind to yourself, the people who work for you and the people who purchase your services.
- Take time EVERYDAY no matter how stressed, how busy, how overwhelmed to BE STILL and BE GRATEFUL.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://deewagner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deewagnerevents
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deewagnercateringandevents/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dee-wagner-events/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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