You Get What You Put In

When I was growing up my grand mother always said to me "You get out what you put in".  Now when I was little, I really had no idea what she was talking about but as I go on this business journey, I am learning the meaning of that saying.  I have never been the most competitive, the over achiever, the most dedicated, the goal oriented, the most disciplined, the straight A student, the super athlete, the go the extra mile type of  person but I am starting to become that because I get out what I put in.  If I want this business to have successful events and want my customers to become loyal and return to every one of my events, I have to become that person.  I have to put in the dedication and time that is needed.  I have to set the goals and the time limits to achieve them.  I have to set my standards high and expect nothing less than the best of myself to get there.  An I am working on all that but it is a challenge.  Retraining yourself to expect more of yourself and to stop giving in is not that easy.  I read that the most successful business owners all have these traits.  When I first heard that, I was nervous and thought that maybe I was not cut out to be a business owner.  But then I thought to myself, "Anything can be learned".  If this is what I want, not only do I have to put in the work to be a business owner, but I also have to put in the work to be the best that I can be.  I am up for the challenge because I may not posses those traits yet, but I have never been one to back down from a challenge.  And this challenge is no different.

My Passion!!!!

For years now I have wanted to start my own business. I started out as wanting to open my very own upscale night club. What was I thinking? After looking into what it all entailed, I was like, HELZ NO. Then I wanted to start a home for girls, but it didn't seem very feasible. After going through idea after idea, I finally settled on exactly what I would LOVE to do…..Who would have thought.

I had my AH HA! A moment that Donny (from the Big Idea) always talked about. I AM GOING TO START AN EVENT PLANNING / CONCERT PROMOTIONS COMPANY. I want to cater to young adults who are interested in a night out with more to do than to just go to the club or the movies. People who would love to surround them selves with energetic people but not have to worry about someone stepping on their feet. So I started on my journey to make it happen.

My name is Roberta and I live in sunny Orlando Florida. I am 28 years old and the proud parent of two beautiful girls. My oldest is 3 months and my youngest is 2. They are my world. I know that you may hear that all the time, but they really are. If it wasn't for either of them, I don't think I would be where I am today. I am a very out going and out spoken person who loves to meet new people and do new things.

HERE IS THE DILEMMA….. Everyone outside of Orlando thinks that there is so much to do in the land of Disney. But for those of us who live here 365 days a year we know BETTER. There is only so many times that you can go to Disney, Sea World, Universal Studios, Island of Adventures and so on without getting tired of it all. And if you have lived here over 10 years, like I have, you don't even want to think about those places, unless you have kids. Other than the theme parks and an occasional concert every five months, there is nothing to do in the "Land of Dreams". For those of us around my age, 25 - 30, your only options for a night out on the town with your significant other or just friends are the dreaded NIGHT CLUBS, Bars/ Lounges, and of course the Movies. Now if I lived in New York City, Los Angeles, or even Miami, I would always have something to do. Some musician or socialite would be throwing a party somewhere in the city. There would be fashion shows, comedy shows; album release parties so on and so forth. But not here in Orlando.

One night after I had my second daughter I really wanted to go out. I got all dolled up, put on my best new outfit and my pretty face. My girlfriends and I spent almost 3 hours shopping and planning for a great girl's night out. I was all ready to go! After consider all our limited choices, we realized that we were all dressed up with nothing to do and nowhere to go. I was sooooo disappointed. Keep in mind this was after the birth of my second daughter and my first, I had had only a year before. So in reality, it was going to be my first night out on the town after being pregnant for two long years. Boy was I devastated. Imagine being stuck at home with nothing to do for two years. Not because you don't want to be surrounded with wonderful people, but because you have been pregnant for what seems like for ever and was unable to enjoy the adult life. Yes I could have went out, but why would I want to put myself in that situation. Having people bump into my protruding beautiful belly and walking around with swollen feet. Not the outing that I was looking for. So I went to work during the day, and stayed home at night during my pregnancy. Boy was I living the life!!!! I was really looking forward to going out with my girls and celebrating having MY body back. Like I said, I put on my best outfit. and pretty face only to end up with nothing to do and nowhere to go. From that night on, every time I thought about going out, I was quickly reminded of the night I couldn't. So I thought long an hard, how was I going to solve this problem. That's when the light bulbs started going off in my head.

What if I could put together a number of events each month catering to people around my age? What if I could provide live music and entertainment, food, and great opportunity to socialize with new people? Then I started to think, I COULD DEFINITELY DO THIS. It is done all the time in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and even in Atlanta. Its only here in Orlando that we are behind the times.

I ran the idea by a couple of my friends and colleagues and they were like no way, that will never work, but I asked to myself WHY NOT. Why must my only choices of entertainment here in Orlando be the same choices that I had when I was just turning 18 and 21? I am looking for something NEW! I know if I feel this way, there has got to be many people out there that feel the same way I do. So I decided to do it. My only problem was that I had never started a business before, I didn't have any experience in event planning or concert promotions, and honestly I didn't even know where to start. What was I to do.

One night I was watching the Big Idea, as I have done ritualistically for the past 6 months, and Donny mentioned Startup Nation, a community of entrepreneurs that were there to help you get started and succeed. So I joined Startup Nation, and posted a forum for advice on how to get started. That when I met my GUIDING ANGEL Michael.

Michael has taken the time to help me perfect my idea. Who would have thought that my help would have come from some one all the way in New Mexico who owns a dollar store? Yes, he owns a Dollar store. Although he is very busy. He makes it a ritual to email me with new ideas and options every day. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be writing this blog. This was all his idea, and a GREAT idea it was. With his blessing, I am moving forward in my journey to bring Orlando up to speed with the rest of the world. To provide young adults with alternative night entertainment…boy does that sound weird.

Now I have done my research and the need is there it's just up to me to fulfill the wants of others.just like myself. Here is where you come in! Please tell me what you want and what you like. Who would you like to see perform (keep in mind this would be a small intimate performance for at most 1500 people) what kid of food would you like to be served? How much would you pay to be entertained? Please take the time to fill out my short survey so that I can give you exactly what you are looking for. If I were filling out this survey, it would go something like this. I would love to see Carrin Bailey, Ayo, Tori Amos, John Legend, Eric Bennet, Heather Headley, Avante, Anthony Hamilton, Leona Lewis, Mary J. Blidge, Syleena Johnson, Keke Wyatt, One Republic, Lyfe Jennings, and so much more. Just to name a few. Would you be willing to spend up to $65 per person for such an event. Now being that I am a lover of food, anything would be to my satisfaction, as long as you are not giving me something to extravagant and I cant pronounce, I will eat just about anything. I just love food.

So you know what I want, now tell me what you want. Help me to bring better entertainment to our sunny city of Orlando. Help me to help you have something to do when you have a little extra cash or a babysitter for the night. Help me to help you have an opportunity to meet new people and create new fabulous memories.