AW Spotlight
Leslie Garcia-Furey…Planning Fun!
LGF Event (Party) Planner
Event planner Leslie Garcia-Furey keeps very busy Around Wellington. At any given point, she is in the throws of planning several gala events and somehow pulls it off like a magician – amazing every time. She just recently planned the Giraffe Awards
Leslie Garcia-Furey with Sheba and Moses
at the Kravis Center, an elegant event that recognizes women “who stick their necks out in business.” When she signs her name, she has a funny tag line – “Leslie Garcia-Furey, Party & Event Specialist/Coordinator, The only AFFAIR your SPOUSE will APPROVE!”
It’s clear that she loves what she does and it carries through, whether it’s a wedding, a corporate event or a small party among a few friends. She explains, “I love parties. I love entertaining. I love making people laugh. I love bringing families together.” All good things. Having an outgoing, friendly personality and an eye for details certainly helps too in this business.
We asked her a few questions to understand more about the key to her success in event planning.
What’s unique about what you do? What makes you stand apart from others who do the same type of business, in your opinion?
Me! I am as unique as unique gets. I am a people person, I love people and working with them to create unique, out of the box events. I am approachable, a good listener and I encourage my client’s to create their own dream event. My position it to ensure my client’s visions are achieved to the best of our ability.
What’s the best thing about your business?
The best thing about being an Events Specialist is working with people of diversity.
Describe the scope of services you provide.
I am a seasoned event/party planner working for selective organizations, non-profits and individuals to promote their business through special events.
I am a “one stop shopping” for all of my client’s needs. From acoustics, China and linens rentals, private chefs, floral arrangements, party favors, transportation, auction table displays, decorations to zoo visits. I am here for my client’s every need. If I cannot provide it, I contract a third-party service.
What is your favorite type of event to plan? Why?
2012 Giraffe Awards at the Kravis Center
Galas and formal affairs are my favorites, because it involves a comprehensive plan with team members as the catalyst. I thrive on project planning and management.
Please share some of the feedback you’ve received from clients?
They have said, “I have a wonderful karma, always cheerful, professional and gets the job done…a philanthropist.”
What are some ways, in this economy, that you can help keep an event at a lower cost?
I perform negotiations with third party contracts and give my clients the referral benefits that I sometime receive. I provide in-house services, such as creating floral arrangements, themes, favors, decorations, and party supplies.
How long have you been doing this? How did you get started?
I started planning corporate events perhaps 28 years back, which included holiday balls, sales conferences, excursions, and banquets.
I started back in high school, throwing sleepovers, classroom activities, BBQs. As I grow older, I would plan the family holiday events and even planned my own wedding.
What’s the most challenging thing about this business?
Making everyone happy! No matter how one tries, it is impossible to make everyone happy. There is always a complainer or dissatisfied guest.
What do you think your clients appreciate most?
I think that my client’s appreciate my down to earth disposition, and knowing that I have it all under control, leaving them with nothing to worry about.
What are a few of the most memorable or interesting events you’ve planned?
Working for corporate arena in NJ for the holidays, we ordered several “stations” and re-created a New York City tunnel on a snowy day. It was a beautiful setting including a pasta station, carving station, sushi station, beef station, etc. It brought together a beautiful theme of the diversity that depicts New York City today.
I recently worked on a chili cook-off for Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, which involved stringing about 30 strings of fresh peppers. Again, a beautiful setting for the event.
When I planned my own wedding, it was top of the line. I had so much fun planning it. It was intimate (just about 50 people). I gave the seamstress specific instructions to piece together different parts of different dresses that I liked. We held it at a Bed & Breakfast – including the wedding shower, reception, and post-wedding breakfast. I created the favors, did the food planning and arranged for a string quartet.
Under “typical events” on your website, you have quite an impressive list of different events. What are you favorites to organize?
The Botox party – it’s just fun! From a birthday party to a barbecue to lingerie party to a martini party, I enjoy all of them. When you throw a party, it doesn’t have to be cut & dry or cookie-cutter. It should be unique.
Party planning has the objectives of bringing fun, creating memories and adding excitement, all great things.
What non-profit or other organizations are you involved in – in our local community?
· Arthur Marshall Foundation – Everglades Preservation
· WCC (The Women’s Chamber of Commerce) and WCF (The Women’s Chamber Foundation, a non-profit branch of the WCC)
· Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach County and Martin Counties
Tell us about your family.
I am the middle sibling in a herd of seven. I was born and raised in Hawaii, where 90% of my family resides. My sisters and brothers are quite creative and talented in crafts, art, music, and mechanics. In terms of pets, I have two adorable Peekapoo Babies, Sheba and Moses.
Leslie Garcia-Furey
LGF Event (Party) Planner
Event Specialist / Event Coordinator
Like LGF Events Planner on Facebook
http://lgfeventsplanner.com/
(561) 337-0057
vvv
Mommy Moments
Happy Mother’s Day
By Melanie Lewis
Recently seen on Facebook:
I know I didn’t fully appreciate my mom until I had children of my own. I had no idea how difficult the job really was. So in light of Mother’s Day, I’m thinking of this day as a day of reflection or as a performance review of sorts.
I feel as though my negotiating skills are in top form. I can wheel and deal trade-off’s for good behavior with Kindle time and extra time at the playground. I stick to my guns when it comes to time out. If you did the deed, you do the time. Yes, I’ve been called “mean mom” a few times, but someone’s going to be the enforcer, and in this family I’m it. Although it hasn’t come easily, I think my kids have a pretty good idea of right from wrong.
Our “team-building” skills are at a high level as well. We work together for special adventures and projects. I can confidently take my kids solo to an amusement park and know that they’ll stick to me like glue without wandering off. They follow homework instructions and have a memory of iron. If I don’t remember where I parked the car, they will.
In the education department, I’ve fallen behind in my volunteer time in the library, classroom and art. The kids look forward to seeing me at school. I guess they like me after all! I made sure we had an educational outing during school vacation week. We went to the Science Museum. #8 of 30 Things To Do in Wellington according to HotelPlanner.com (South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach FL) – just 11 miles from Wellington. We also made a trek to the library to empty the entire collection of The Magic School Bus books. The boys love the stories of Miss Firzzle by Cole and Degan. We’re also killing time over spring vacation by keeping a weather log. We’re looking forward to getting a little rain since the rain gauge has been dry. I hope someone doesn’t get sneaky and fill it from the tap. There are a few jokesters in the house.
As for yelling, I do lose my patience when there are specific deadlines, such as getting to school on time. I need to utilize some of that great negotiating. Perhaps an award chart for completing the chore board without the mommy reminder. I’ll try that on Monday. They are very competitive, so I can see them wanting to collect the most stars. I don’t think I’ll win any prizes for patience, though. Please post on Facebook (on our AroundWellington.com page) your ideas to increase patience. I’m open to new ideas. Counting to 10 isn’t working anymore!
Household management was mediocre until the spring cleaning bug hit me. Of course, there’s nothing like company coming to make it more of a priority. I had my son’s Sunday school teacher over for lunch and I hosted a Silpada jewelry trunk show. As part of the whole “turn the house inside-out program,” I moved all the furniture and vacuumed under it, even in the kids’ room. You wouldn’t believe what was hiding under the beds; candy wrappers and an empty bag of pretzels. Needless to say, the boys and I had a little chat about proper food handling and storage.
Overall, I would give myself average marks. I hope the kids think well enough of me to send along their sweet notes and cards for Mother’s Day. I really do appreciate them as part of the compensation package. Breakfast in bed has been a nice touch. If you feel I deserve a raise, take me out for Pad Thai.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms! You all deserve a raise!!
****
Melanie Lewis is the mother of 2 boys ages 5 and 8. She is married and works part-time as Silpada representative and a weight loss consultant. She enjoys book club, and playing with her Blue-mitted Ragdoll, Percy and Golden Retriever, Rosie. She can be reached at melaniewlewis@yahoo.com.
vvv
