Today's Inspirational Business and their people is.......
My name is Alison Tinlin and my business is Plans and Presents, a Wedding and Event Planning business based in Glasgow, but serving Scotland and further a field.
I have been married to Neill for nearly 7 years and have two children, Kathryn, 5, and Leo, 2. I started my business nearly 2 years ago, after a long time researching and considering the possibility. My background is in Nursing, and I worked in Medical Admissions for 14 years. After having my children and unfortunately redundancies on my husband’s part, I decided to branch out on my own, as the opportunities for parents in the working world with childcare limitations are few.
The last two years have really been about cementing my knowledge and creating a supplier network, and building up my name within the events industry. Every day is a challenge while trying to maintain work / life balance and juggling business with care of my son, BUT I wouldn't do anything else as in this industry I get the support and respect that I never ever got in my many years in the NHS.
I was very lucky to be short listed recently for Best Wedding Planner at the Wedding Ideas awards and it was perhaps my greatest achievement, after marrying the man that I love and having my gorgeous kids.
I have a great support network with the Scottish Mumpreneur Network and have met and become friends with many inspiring ladies who do an amazing job in building fantastic businesses whilst balancing this with parental responsibility, and I wouldn't be without them as they spur me on in difficult times.
My work ethos is that Plans and Presents is about delivery, working with clients, in whatever nature or involvement that is, to make their Event amazing. I believe that each celebration is about the couple, it is their day, and they always retain "ownership" of their day. I just see myself as a their guide, counsellor, and advisor.
Statistics show that it can take up to 250 hours to plan a Wedding. These days’ people can have the commitments of work, raising children and running a home, and that can make planning a Wedding a bit of a challenge.
My main aims can be split into three distinct areas.
Save you time
· My job is to act as a personal Event P.A.
· I will do all the legwork, such as doing the research, making the calls, negotiating, and taking care of all the little details.
· With so much choice and possibilities it’s easy to become overwhelmed i.e. What photographer? Is this venue right for us?
· My job is to bring everything back to complete clarity.
· With my contacts within the Events Industry, I have access to a multitude of fabulous suppliers, therefore making me well placed to assist clients with choosing suppliers that are right for their needs.
Save you money
· Weddings and Events can be expensive, there's no doubt about it.
· A planner such as myself can actually save a client money through discounts obtained from contacts in the industry.
· I specialise in working within the clients set budget, and strive to work my fee into this through savings made.
Save you stress
· Sometimes organising a Wedding or Event can seem like an enormous and impossible task. My job is to be right there to lend support, whenever and in whatever way that it’s needed.
· This can mean emotional support, as well as practical help.
· I pride myself on being a people person with a really good ear.
In conclusion, the message I am trying to project is that a Wedding and Event Planner is not just the luxury for celebrities, or the well off, but real people who need someone to to make their special day, unique and distinctive.
I am someone who is professional and approachable, and my job in essence is to be an AFFORDABLE REASSURANCE.
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