Trailblazer: Susanna Stewart
Event Planner / Production Coordinator
I am an event planner and producer. I work collaboratively with clients to create events that are imaginative, thoughtful and thoroughly enjoyable. I determine my clients’ needs and tastes through expert communication and highly attuned intuition. I then create a strategy by drawing on my knowledge of emerging trends and best practices. Finally, I execute a plan with care, skill and attention to detail.
I have always had an eye for colour and design and I enjoy project management. Event planning came naturally to me. I really love that I meet so many different people and each event brings a newness and freshness to my work. The more I learned about business, the more I realized I had an entrepreneurial spirit and wanted to work for myself.
Most meaningful achievement: Several years ago, I was in your typical 9 – 5 office job with two weeks’ vacation a year. I felt trapped and hopeless. I would say to myself “Is this all there is, I feel I have so much more to offer, and this is not the right path for me.” I started paying attention to my strengths and envisioning what I wanted my life to look like. I wanted a career I loved, I wanted more time to travel and pursue my passions – two weeks per year didn’t cut it! I wanted to do fulfilling work.
After some soul searching, I went back to school for Event Marketing. I interned and volunteered on numerous events. I apprenticed, studied and asked loads of questions.
To be where I am today, owning my own company, working on some of Vancouver’s premier events, and taking time for myself to travel the world and pursue my passions is a huge achievement of which I am proud and grateful for. I put in the work, and I am living the life I envisioned for myself.
Lessons learned: Spend time alone weekly and listen to your soul.
Best advice: To just do it! You have to start somewhere, you can’t wait for perfection. Go out, make mistakes, learn and eventually this will lead to mastering your craft. I also want to say how important it is to surround yourself with other uplifting and motivating people that will encourage and inspire you to dream big and go for it!
The future is: my motivation.
Photo by Vairdy Photography; Jewelry by Stephanie Ann Jewelry
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