Blogger's Challenge: 4 C's with Diamonds, 5 C's with Leaders

When the challenge to blog on the topic, "What does leadership mean to you... especially in these trying times", caught my attention I was was excited to share my thoughts. Ok, some of you may be wondering - "What can an Art Major tell me about Leadership though rough economic times?" No, I'm not an accountant or financial adviser and you won't see me on TV shouting "buy, buy, buy... sell, sell, sell" but I do have some experience on the topic of leadership.


Of course, a fare amount of leadership is needed in developing and coordinating a special event but there are other instance that lend themselves to an educated commentary on this topic. Yes, in between being a Public Relations Director for a small animation studio and a Business Marketing Manager for a game development and entertainment publishing company I worked as a contract Sales and Technical Trainer for (at the time) the nation's largest telecommunications company.


All most every industry (including the event industry) has been challenged by the current economic climate. Americans have gone from buying big cars and big houses to finding themselves suddenly concerned with things like housing, fuel prices, job security, and savings. More than ever consumers are closely watching where their money is going and businesses from large, multi-national corporations to small, family owned businesses are seeing the impact. With the U.S. dollar as the driving force for currency around the world, our fiscal mindset is being echoed throughout the global economy. That's the bad news. Now for the good news. This is not the first time (or the last) this has happened - it's a fact, by its very nature economies cycle through periods of rise and fall - they shrink and flourish. Truth is troubled economies don't last forever.


For those of us in the event industry this is an especially interesting time because we understand that "life goes on" - people still have babies and baby showers, family matriarchs are celebrating Golden anniversaries, young Jewish boys still turn 13 and have Bar Mitzvah, young Latina girls turn 15 and have Quinceaneras, and couples still fall passionately, hopelessly in love and get married! Experts are starting to see small glimmers of growth on the horizon. This is can be the signs of exciting news for business but only those who position themselves for the "turn around" and have good leadership in place to implement plans will come out stronger than before. I've had the opportunity to lead range of personalities - from training creative right brain thinkers like Caricature Artist's who work on commission at a world famous theme park to coaching extremely logical, linear left brain thinkers like Customer Service Representatives during the high-speed Internet technology boom. I've developed a leadership philosophy that allow them all to shine like diamonds.


Those of us in the wedding industry are familiar with the 4 "C's" - the general rules made up of specific criteria that are designed to measure a diamond's worth. They are Cut, Color, Clarity and Karat (yes, spelt with a "K"). These "C's" are key characteristics in determining the gem's quality, beauty, integrity and value. Over the years I've found that when it comes to leadership there are common factors that, characteristics if you will, that aid leaders to effectively grow, inspire, and prosper in that would cause others to fail. Here are the my 5 "C'" - rules that if used during challenging times to position a company and it's team for success.

1. Courageousness: Good leadership requires a strong amount of courage. Beware of the paralyzing effect that a slow economy - some companies take "a wait and see" approach (which in some cases may be a good move) but when there are signs that action needs to be taken they are afraid to make changes. Successful leadership is not stagnate. They evaluate what's working and were improvements can be made. They are not afraid of trying new things, make smart changes, take very calculated risks based on a well throughout plans, and are not afraid to make mistakes. Good leadership know that often, out of challenging time the greatest innovations are made.

2. Communication: It's hard to believe but in a world of voicemails, emails, texting, and tweeting interpersonal communication is, in fact, a dieing art. Think about it, when was the last time someone wrote you a well written letter on stationery? How often have you witnessed someone texting or checking emails while with a group of people at a dinning table? Or, have you had an issue of "miscommunication" with someone even after a number of emails?

Great leadership understands that communication is vital to success. Good leaders are great talkers (able to express concepts in presentations, face to face meetings or even in a simple hand written letter) however, they are even better listeners. They understand the importance of a timely follow-up as well as positive and constructive feedback. Have you ever heard the phrase "Feedback is a gift"? Feedback shows you not only what is working well but what could be improved and good leaders understand the importance of constructive feedback. We all love "positive" feedback - who doesn't love compliment but constructive feedback is more important. Think about the last time you were out at a party - mingling, meeting new people, joking, laughing, maybe even flirting. You go into the restroom, look in the mirror and are mortified to discover an enormous piece of spinach in your front teeth. You wonder "How long has that been there? Why didn't someone tell me?" Constructive feedback is designed not to hurt you but to help you fix a problem. Good leadership understands that great ideas and help can come from anywhere.

3. Creativity: I think good leadership not only understands the rules of the game and why they are in place but also when it's time to bend them. Creativity plays an important role in leadership. I'm not just talking about from a design, crafts or artistic perspective but a since of unique vision and flexibility. The ability to "think outside the box" and look at a task from different perspectives allows a leader to explore the many facets of a concern, develop new solutions and find inspired approaches to prevent other issues before they even begin.

4. Coaching: One of the most powerful duties a good leader has is to always provide themselves and their team with the tools they need for success. Strong leaderships does this through Coaching - educating themselves with the most current information and conveying the right information to their team through continuous training. It's extremely important to ensure that a team is inspired, excited about their mission, and works well together. Team building exercises, incentives programs, and general one-on-one encouragement should be a consistent practice of leadership and are especially vital during an uncertain economic period. Effective coaching should be as fun as it is informative - resulting in enthusiasm and confidence that your Client will find infectious.

5. Consistency: Actually, this could be considered two"Cs" - Consistency and Confidence. As important as it is to be flexible in challenging times, firmness is equally as important. Customers, Clients, and company team-members look to see consistency from a company and its leadership. It's easy to demonstrate confidence during a time of economic growth but it's quite another during a time when sales drag and the stocks dips. Good Leaders are able to demonstrate consistent confidence, focus, and dedication though these tough times. They act as a reliable support system; answering questions, offering a kind and encouraging word, and are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand when needed - in other words, leadership is dependable.

Are these 5 "C's" the only approach to leadership in challenging economic times? Of course not, they are simply practices I've employed and are reflective of my leadership style. However, in this economy, more than ever, its a company's leadership that will determine its future and sets the tone for its recover.

Boutique Bridal: Cleaver, Inexpensive and Intimate Affairs

Spring seems to have finally (all be it slowly) started to emerge around us. Just look outside your door and you'll see flowers gently unfolding in the warm, shimmering sun. The earth and trees blanketed in lush hues of velvety green, delicate yellows, soft lavenders, and other pastel colors. As we all start to shake off the still, quite chill of winter not only are we seeing the revitalizing signs of spring but the beginnings of (an also very slowly blossoming) boost in our economy.

Are Bridal Couples still concerned about the costs of their wedding? Yes, but as wedding season gets underway many informed and trendy Couples are discovering they can indeed have the elaborate, lavish wedding they've dreamed of. The key is to concentrate on quality not quantity and focus on a smaller, more intimate guest list. Smaller weddings are giving Couples a later overall cost "per person" budget to work with which will allow them to have more options - giving them the ability to truly choose what they want for their wedding.

With these smaller, "Boutique-style" weddings (example: less than 75 guests) Brides and Grooms are free to realize their vision and create a "signature" event - that captures their imagination. They are able to select the perfect items (invitations, table settings, floral designs, etc.) to create an incredible environment with exquisite details and an experiences that would take their guests breath away. Interested in planning your "Boutique-style" wedding? Here are 3 Tips to that my help with creating a sensational intimate wedding.

1.) B and B = Boutique and Bridal: As with any special event one of the most important steps is finding the perfect location. A boutique-style wedding by its very nature are designed to be small, intimate affairs. The venue should reflect a cozy environment where each detail may shine - noticed and admired. The danger in this is choosing a location that is too large and in essence so large it seems to swallow the event. Larger environments like those in hotels (if planned correctly) many still be used in a way that well not loose the beauty of intricate details. This can done by partitioning off a large reception hall into smaller, distinctly themed areas, zones, or stations such as a lounge area or wine tasting session area. However, a fantastic option for a boutique-style wedding venue is the classic Bed and Breakfast. Small weddings (between 25 and 50 guests) are perfect for a Bed and Breakfast. Many offer beautifully landscaped grounds which are ideal for Victorian or other garden theme weddings and offer unique opportunity for a weekend wedding get-a-way. Some "B n B's" will offer catering, limited rooms for a few guests (3-4 rooms), and even honeymoon suite accommodations with "breakfast in bed" for the Bridal Couple.

2.) Easy like Sunday Morning: Most of us know that Saturday night is the most popular time of the week (or weekend) for weddings. As a result, Saturdays (afternoon and evenings especially) have not only the most expensive reception and catering fees but are many of the highly sought after hotels/reception sites book quickly and have limited availability. That's why many cleaver Brides and Grooms are now choosing Sunday for their wedding day. If you are planning a wedding at a cultural venue, B n' B, or even hotel consider a Sunday morning followed by a brunch reception or an afternoon wedding. You'll find lower reception and catering costs as well as more chooses of available dates on Sundays. Worried about not having the following day for friends and family to enjoy - also consider a Friday night wedding. Friday night weddings will still give you and your guests the rest of the weekend to celebrate.

3.) "The New June": The cultural image of the "June Bride" had been a symbol of spring, love, beauty, and marriage for centuries. June remains the most popular month of the year for weddings however, many of us in the wedding industry have seen another month step up to challenge this iconic month. With its mild weather and appealing post-summer pricing, over the past few years, October has become the "new-June". As long as there are little girls dreaming of spring here will always be a place for June wedding but many contemporary Brides are considering an October date for their big day.

Want to learn more about creating a signature "Boutique-style Weddings"? We invite you to visit our website at http://www.vividexpressions.com/ for more details on designing an exquisite boutique-style wedding.

Art and the Event: Edible Art - Mike's Amazing Cakes

Do not attempt to adjust your monitor. You are not seeing things. Yes, that is indeed an "up-side-down" wedding cake... yes, that is a four tier "Alice in Wonderland" theme cake were each tier is shaped like a teacup... yes, that is a miniature "Formula Porsche" entirely made of cake. O.k., no, those are not real or even silk roses cascading down that elegant wedding cake - they are edible handmade flowers. And although that is not a "real lobster" on that silver platter it's a cake that looks good enough for drawn butter and a bib. These are definitely not your standard cakes.




For years we've seen the bar steadily rise for wedding and special occasion cakes. Although there will always be a place for the simple 3 tier white cake with matching plastic pillars, more and more Brides and party hosts are choosing to utilize the cakes as more of a design feature - adding to a noticeable element to the event design concept. The cake is not simply hidden away in a corner of the reception hall awaiting the Bride and Groom's cutting ceremony but instead it is used to add a focal point to the room. The cake could be designed to complement the centerpieces, match the fabric or design of the Bride's gown, reflecting the color or theme of the event, or (in the case of the long held southern tradition of the "Grooms cake") be a playful nod to couple's personality, hobbies, or an inside joke. In a time when smart Bridal Couples are insisting on getting best and most memorable bang for their buck, whimsical cakes has become a hot trend and talented pastry artists are still in demand.



The Artist: It's hard to believe what world famous cake artist Mike McCarey can do with baking ingredients but that's why his Redmond, Washington business, "Mike's Amazing Cakes", has been making sweet fantasies since 1995. Mike's Amazing Cakes creates incredible cakes (as seen in this post) for Clients who's imaginations just won't stay "inside the box". Winner of numerous pastry design competitions, Mike McCarey and his team can use fondant (a puddy-like sugar confection), modeling chocolate and other edible mediums to make "amazing cakes" the same way sculptors would use clay and other artistic mediums. With the laws of physics being the only restriction, each cake is custom designed for their clientele which includes corporations and Celebrities like Disney, The Smithsonian, Dustin Hoffman, and even the late Rodney Dangerfield and Julia Child.


The Art of Cakes: With realistic miniatures, 2 dimensional relief sculpture, free-standing figures, and gravity defying 3 dimensional forms Mike McCarey's confections seem to demonstrate techniques often seen in works of fine art. His award winning, artistic approach results in each cake being a unique, beautifully designed edible sculpture. The Pastry Chef's work is guided by the two key principals of around Concept and Structure. The Concept being presented should be as accurate and true to life or as animated as possible and should have as unique a perspective as can be conjured up. The Structural principals of architecture constantly influence Mike's work and he draws great inspiration from a wide range of illustrators such as Alphones Mucha, Norman Rockwell or James Christensen. These are certainly philosophy we can relate to.

Can you envision your guests being captivated by a work of edible art? Think a artistically designed cake would add the perfect decorative accent to your event? Wondering what you should know about hiring a Pastry Artist to create a masterpiece for your next celebration? Here are 3 Tips to keep in mind when searching for a Pastry Chef or bakery to create a custom designed cake.

1. Feeding the crowd: The cost of a quality custom baker is quite different from those of the average supermarket bakery. They require far more attention to detail than those of the flat rectangle or round cakes so give yourself (and the baker) plenty fo time. Give yourself enough time to research (and even taste) cakes and give your baker enough time to schedule, prepare, and create the cake. This can be as little as 2 weeks or as much a 2 months - check with them to find out their order requirements.

The cost of most special occasion cakes like wedding cakes are established by the slice. Each cake maker's price may very due to their experience, styles of cake, and level of service. Typically, they can range from $2 to $5 or more a slice. For example, the cakes a Mike's Amazing Cakes can start around $2.10 per slice (more or less depending on the number of slices and cake design). When you are estimating your cake budget you will want to start by determining how many guests you are expecting. Then research each bakers prices and multiply their "by the slice" cost by the number of guests. Also, ask about their deposits and when the balance is due. This may vary depending the baker's policies but they can start as little as $50 and may be non-refundable.

2. Theme and Design: Today's Bride or party host has more special occasion cake design options than ever before. You still have the your basic stacked round or square cakes but (as you can see) there are so many other choices. Some skilled bakers can create a wide range of shapes to complement the look and design of your event. New innovations and trends in the culinary industry have provided pastry professionals with mediums like edible paints in vibrant and metallic hues, gum paste (a moldable sugar paste), air brush techniques, and many others options to help them create a range of colors and texture.

Mike McCarey told us "Everything within the laws of gravity is possible and you shouldnt be limited by tradtion or conventional thinking. Let the cake be what you want. Let the cake make a statement." So, when ordering speical event or wedding cakes (especailly these works of edible art) please have some idea of what you'd like in mind but be open to suggestions. You many be introduced to something you never thought of after reviewing their portfolio or learning about their full range of skills and capabilities.

3. The Arrival: Special occasion cakes like these are large, custom-made confections designed to "wow" your guests. They are also more difficult to deliver than your typical grocery store sheet cake, you'll need to make sure your stunning cake arrives safely and is ready for your event without incident. Always verify what the delivery policies are. Check to see if the delivery fees are a seperate charge or if they are included in the cost of the cake. Also, if it is being delivered to a reception hall or hotel check with the catering staff to confirm when it can be delivered and if there will be a storage space (like a large cooler/freezer) available. Some venues will want to have the baker deliver and set-up the cake on-site in the reception room so be sure to have your event planner coordinate the delivery and placement of your cake. If you are having an outdoor wedding or an event on a very hot day you do not want to have the cake in a very hot room without air conditioning - the cake may melt. If the cake will be set-up in advance of the event check to make sure the temperature of the room will be suitable for the cake. Work with your event coordinator or consider asking the caterer can hold the cake in a cool area until just before the event starts.

Do you have your heart set on a cake from Mike McCarey but you're not located near Redmond, Washington? Good news! The team at Mike's Amazing Cakes would be more than happy to work with you over the phone (or even via email) and ship a custom cake creation directly to you. Give them a call at 425-869-2992 and tell them Janel Keen over at Vivid Expressions LLC sent you!

No place like home: Help fight childhood Cancer

Nestled in a peaceful little neighborhood in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake, Virginia sits a beautifully decorated, newly constructed house unlike any other. This is no ordinary home, in fact, for thousands of critically ill children and their families this house represents an abundance of hope. Yesterday was the second in the Hampton Road's chapter of Friends of St. Jude's monthly membership and fundraising series - Cinco for St. Jude. Cinco for St. Jude takes place on the 5th of each month throughout the year to raise awareness, membership, and funds to help this incredible cause - dedicated to the concept that “No Child Should Die in the Dawn of Life.”

This month's theme Cinco for St. Jude event, the "Big Hat Brunch", took place in the gorgeous 2009 St. Jude Dream Home. The spacious 3,058 square foot house was exquisitely decorated in lush earth tones and featured a tantalizing range of hues including chocolate browns and cool blues. Guests of the event were the first to tour this fantastic home, which is currently open for tours Saturdays, 9am to 5pm and Sundays, noon to 5pm from now until May 30th. With a large, loaded kitchen and airy sunroom overlooking the backyard, this house would be perfect for anyone who enjoys entertaining at home and was an ideal venue for this Cinco for St. Jude event.

The "Big Hat Brunch" invited guests to come in their best (and biggest) hat. Geoff Cook (left along side Jenny Watson) won for his outrageous balloon hat in the Big Hat Contest. Guests were treated to Sunday morning cocktails like Mimosas and Bloody-Marys, scrumptious breakfast delights, fine silent auction items, and live entertainment in the form of Caricatures from yours truly. During Sunday's event it was my pleasure to not only perform caricatures for all who came out but to meet two amazing families who's lives were touched by the tremendous support of St. Jude.

It was such a joy to meet and sketch Gracie (a bubbly four year old cancer survivor) and her 3 brothers and sisters. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital focuses on fighting childhood cancer, offering treatment and care to children and their families regardless of their ability to pay. Gracie's family, after being told that her cancer was terminal and to prepare to for her passing, received a life-changing call from St. Jude's. The family was told that they could in fact help Gracie. St. Jude flew the family out to their facility in Tennessee for treatment as well as took care of their lodging during Gracie's care. Today Gracie's cancer is in remission, she is a vibrant little girl who is full of life and this loving family is joyful. Programs like Friends of St. Jude and the St. Jude Dream Home help St. Jude to make stories like this possible. The St. Jude Dream Home is a breathtaking home (valued at approximately $490,000.00) and an incredible giveaway to help this cause.

Tickets for the drawing (which will take place on Sunday, May 31) are $100 each. For more information on reserving a ticket for your chance to win the St. Jude Dream Home and other fabulous prizes please visit: http//www.friendsofstjude.org/hamptonroads