Last Fall, I had the unique and prestigious opportunity to be recognized amongst some of Cincinnati’s finest business leaders at the John F. Barrett Entrepreneur Vision Awards. This stunning event held at One Lytle Hotel, was generously hosted by Western and Southern Financial Group, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, and Venue Magazine! I was truly humbled and honored to share the room with such incredible business owners and leaders. The impact of our Cincinnati business community is astonishing!

NATALIA | Events + Design was graciously recognized as a Startup Business Nominee and I had a wonderful experience interviewing for the award and sharing my personal perspective on the growth and impact of this beautiful business. I thought the responses I shared with Venue Magazine below would also be a great way for you to get to know me and NED a bit better as your professional event planning and design team. Thank you kindly for the read and please let me know what most sparked your interest in my replies!

With Grace,

Q+A with Natalie Rice | John F. Barrett Entrepreneur Vision Awards

Can you share a specific moment or experience that made you realize entrepreneurship was the right path for you?

• Becoming a mom! I had always loved the creative and project management aspects as my role as an event planner and designer, but I truly came to appreciate the personal freedom that comes with entrepreneurship after becoming a mother 2.5 years ago. Sure, I often feel that I am always “on” – something I’m sure most business owners (and parents!) can relate to, but nothing is more fulfilling than managing my own time around the needs of my family and the business. 

How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what steps did you take to turn it into a reality?

• One of my favorite things about this business is its organic launch. Event planning for me started as a hobby and a blog – I was simply sharing my craft and passion for hosting and party planning on social media and my blog. And then what seems like all at once a few of my acquaintances asked if I was accepting clients and through those first few paid opportunities, Natalia’s Event Planning was born.

How do you stay motivated and resilient during challenging times as an entrepreneur?

• I keep my focus on the long-term goals and know that the challenge at that particular time will soon pass. The fast pace of the event industry doesn’t leave much time for dwelling. And as professional planners, if there’s a problem, we simply find a solution and then move on to the next phase of the project. 
• On the event day or after a project is complete, you find yourself with a happy client and beautiful photo gallery detailing the months of design and planning – in some ways the event lives on through those memories which makes the hard times during the process worth it!

As a local entrepreneur, what role do you believe small businesses play in supporting and strengthening the community?

• Stimulating the local economy, specifically with venue and catering businesses in our industry. As event pros, we are also consistently collaborating with other small businesses, creating a niche community of creative partners that routinely refer business to and from one another. This industry is very relational and visual. So, in addition to our personal relationships with other business owners, our online presence and partnerships have a big impact on what local clients are interested in producing for their events. 

What strategies or approaches do you use to effectively manage and balance your work and personal life?

• Delegating! Whether within the business or at home, delegating tasks and projects allows me to free up time that I otherwise wouldn’t have! I’m really grateful for my NEP Team and personal help at in and around the household! 

In your opinion, what are the most significant challenges or opportunities that entrepreneurs might face in the local business landscape?

• Establishing a unique brand and voice. In a mature industry, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd, so it’s important that a business’s branding is not only clear and consistent but personable and approachable as well. In the same breath, once your brand is established and you’re recognized as a leader by your customers and peers, you’ll see that the opportunities continue to unfold and improve. At NEP, our tagline is “Professional Planning | Refined Design” and I have found that these are two of the characteristics that differentiate us from our competitors and attract our ideal clients. 

What role has networking and building relationships played in your entrepreneurial journey, and do you have any tips for effective networking?

• Networking has had a significant impact on this business. In the event space, vendor referral and collaboration is a constant. Often times, if the planner isn’t the first to be booked on a project, they are referred to the client by the venue or photographer, so these relationships in particular are extremely valuable!
• I personally tend to take on a more organic approach to networking. If I have met someone once or am working with them on a project for the first time, I use that as a soft opening to building the ongoing relationship and then continue to nurture the relationship through the writing of reviews, coffee invites, client referrals, and booking them for personal projects! It’s the behind the scenes moments that creative partners can really build trust and relate to one another!

Can you describe a time when you had to pivot or make a significant change in your business model, and how did it contribute to your overall success?

• Yes! When I started the business, I had two service levels and after a booking client requested a custom package, I realized that there was value in the “middle” and added a third service level. This actually helped to justify the cost gap between the initial two packages and the middle package is now our most booked service! 

What do you do to cut loose from the business world? 

• I have a beautiful family that includes my husband Steven of 5 years, our 2 1/2 year old daughter and 2 week old son! We enjoy traveling a few times a year – Alys Beach FL and Scottsdale AZ are two of our annual favorites! And when we are home, we spend a lot of time cooking healthy meals or relaxing outside!

What do you do for fun? Enjoy? etc.

• When I’m not at NEP you can find me planning my next personal party or redesigning a space around the house! Adding character to our home is important to me and my latest projects have included the kids rooms and laundry room!