I believe that during the pandemic we each deserve a break from this new reality. As an entrepreneur, mid-March through April took my breath away; business calls were related to cancelling or postponing, the view from my home window in downtown DC was filled with people in a frenzy carrying 20 packets of toilet paper, and I suffered from insomnia. Like most of us, I knew fundamentally that the world was changing whether I was ready or not, and so I did what I think most people did: I got angry, anxious, conflicted, confused, depressed, but I was also determined not to give up.

Since launching digital event services, we are constantly learning and evaluating our process for planning. Before we dive into our latest learnings, here are the first three commandments from our original message on this topic:

1. Digital events are not a solution, they are a tool.

2. Digital events require strategy.

3. Digital event roles and responsibilities matter.

As a kid I had fond memories of Back to School. Often it meant that my parents would give me a little extra so I could buy the latest fashion, my friends and I would talk about all of our social plans during the year, and, frankly, I was excited about growing up despite adults saying, “Enjoy your youth.” Back to School was about a fresh start and growth. Therefore, I have to imagine that I am not the only one approaching Back to School/end of summer with a bit of anxiety. Which is why I decided to share three questions I am asking myself as we return to school, work, and our end of summer routine:

Early in my career, I found myself thrusted into management without the personal maturity to handle the role. As a result, I was a bad manager and I actually apologized years later to one of the first people I managed because I wanted them to know that my bad behavior had been a result of my having been insecure, unprepared, and, frankly, afraid. Do I still make mistakes in management? Of course. However, I am always reflecting, seeking to do better, advocating for the people that work with me and investing in their professional development.

My father Melvin is a brilliant, kind, and gracious man in the middle stages of dementia. As my hero and lifelong mentor, Dad continues to teach me lessons that translate into every facet of my life, including event planning. Below are the first three lessons:

Many people believe they must have an event because their organization is struggling with relevancy. However, before you hit go on your virtual or hybrid event, below are five quick questions to make sure that your event is set up for success:

For some, the path to event planning started because you coordinated your kid’s birthday party, helped with a loved one’s wedding, or more recently had to plan a kid’s virtual graduation. While I am not denying your creative skills or the rave reviews you received, before you continue on your path it is important to ask yourself five critical questions:

A few weeks ago, a fellow industry colleague shared her fears about how uncertain our financial future is. She asked me, “How are you so calm?” and, “How do you stay happy and sane?” I shared with her what I believe is a very simple truth even in the midst of COVID. Simply stated, I believe that “doubt always loses.” But that statement is easier to read than to actually live out in your everyday life. Below are my experiences of how doubt helped me to grow

For the past three months, I’ve engaged in a dynamic internal dialogue that led me to the conclusion that connecting remains paramount—which is why I took on the challenge of becoming a certified PCMA Digital Event Strategist. As we prepare to provide stellar digital event services to our former and prospective clients, below are the three Digital Event Commandments that guide our approach and thinking when designing these events

The time is now is a loaded proposition. People are dying, protest is our cultural love language, and, as humans we are experiencing an intense moment of internal duress. During times of stress, I find comfort in journaling to document what I am feeling and, more importantly, what I am learning. As I looked back recently, these three lessons seemed appropriate to share:

In the wake of COVID-19, many of us are reflecting on our purpose and evaluating our professional options. As a business owner, I have felt greater pressure because entrepreneurship means that you bet on yourself, past work does not guarantee future success, and social media comparisons weigh heavily. How do you find your true professional calling amid this new normal? In pursuit of an answer, I revisited my origin story.