Interview by Mercedes Arnold

Maine Vibes Magazine: Can you introduce yourself, state your pronouns, and talk about your business?

Julie Guerette: I am Julie Guerette, I go by the pronouns she/her. I am the owner of The Maine Event Planning Co. (new name coming soon!)  I do all things events! I love creativity, meeting new people, the planning process, and then seeing them come together. 

MVM: Do you plan specific types of events? 

JG: I love all kinds of events. I do weddings, nonprofit events, corporate,  birthday parties, anniversary parties, grand openings, you name it, I cover it. I’ve never been a person that can be put in one box.  I enjoy being versatile. . It keeps me on my toes and helps me stay creative. For example, I did a grand opening event for a lettuce company that uses aquaponics. I took one of the fish they use in the water process and put it in a large bowl with a lettuce flower arrangement on top of it, so that was fun. A bride saw it and asked if we could incorporate the concept (fish in a container with flowers on top!)

MVM: How did you get started in event planning? 

JG: I didn't grow up saying I wanted to be an event planner or I want to work in the nonprofit world. It was really something I stumbled into during a really hard period of time for me. A couple of days before high school graduation, my mom was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. I ended up going to college locally, at UMF, where I could be at home at a moment’s notice. My mom and I were two peas in a pod. I was going to college and studying community health. I didn’t know what I wanted to do after school, so I decided to volunteer at the local hospital. Long story short, they put me in their development office and I quickly found that I was really good at events and fundraising. Shortly after I found myself with a paid internship. 

When I should have been out living up my college years, I’d be running home on the weekends to get quality time with my mom and give my dad a rest. My mom lived vicariously through me at the end of her life. I think that if she had been given the same opportunities she would have been in a similar line of work. 

 I found that I was thriving at events and it gave me something to look forward to during that time. I could help others when I really couldn’t help my mom, I was helping fundraise and giving back to the community. 

MVM: I’m sure that was incredibly difficult, it sounds like you found something that was lighting you up. What is it that you enjoy most about event planning? 

JG: I have always been a crafty person. Crafting gives me energy and a sense of accomplishment. Along with that I have also had this fire in me that wanted to be a respected businesswoman. Events have given me the best of both worlds. For instance, when promoting a product (like lettuce). My wheels immediately started spinning. How do you highlight this product in a tasteful creative way?  (life previous example the fish & lettuce to decorate with. Then the play on words, “Lettuce-celebrate”. On the other side, I love being on-site. I love meeting new people and working with vendor friends. Then there is the thrill of everything coming together. 

MVM: What’s the maximum number of vendors that you’ve worked with for an event? 

JG: When I was working for Good Shepherd Food Bank, I used to transform their warehouse into a fine dining room experience. To pull that off I was working with up to 25 different vendors. It was 14 chefs, the rental company, the AV, the lighting, the volunteers, the speakers,  etc. It was a lot, all eyes were on me, they were looking at me like, what do we do? It really strengthened me as a person of thinking ahead to what’s next. When I’m working on a specific project, I’m always thinking that way. 

MVM: That sounds intimidating, but I’ve watched you at events and you are thriving! I’ve watched you grow from last year until now and your confidence has grown so much, it’s been awesome to see! 

JG: I really appreciate that. My first wedding of this year was a lot. It was the first time with my full planning package, the first time at the venue, and the first time having hired staff. At one point, I had three people to that I was having to provide directions throughout a three-day period. After it was done, it was like, you were building the aircraft as you were taking off, now it’s flying. I’m not quite at full altitude but I have full faith my business is going to be around for a long time to come. 

With that being said, when you own your own business, it feels like a rollercoaster ride. When things are going great - you feel on top of the world. But just like life, it’s not always glamorous owning your own business. 

MVM: Did I see that you are now a preferred vendor for that venue? 

JG: Yes! When I got that email, I started crying, it’s a huge honor and is one of the top wedding venues in Maine. Being recognized for my hard work, especially for an event where I had to pivot because of countless storm systems that weekend, it means a lot. 

MVM: Congratulations! Recognition for your hard work feels so good! So, you were telling me you have a lot of events during the weekend and it’s hard being away from family. What would you say is the most difficult thing about being an entrepreneur outside of that? 

JG: Work is always there. It’s my reputation.  I want my clients to always feel like they're number one. There are times when I'm up at 4 am and  I'm sending emails or text messages straight through the evening. When I left my previous job, I thought I’d have more free time, but it’s been the opposite. I did gain the freedom to make my own schedule, I can pick my kids up at school, take a few hours to do something fun with them, etc. It’s allowed me to have more personal time and feel more gratification. 

MVM: Do you have a favorite self-care practice to do before your events? 

JG: I started running again which definitely helps me manage my anxiety over events. I get up early and get out running. It’s my time when I can process my thoughts and feelings about everything that’s going on. Carving out that time has made a huge difference. I’ve also started doing yoga once a week which I love. 

MVM: I’ve watched your business grow this last year, you put so much time and attention into your events and genuinely want your clients to have a successful, meaningful event. You’ve inspired me to continue to move forward with the things I want. What or who inspires you? Who do you lean on when shit gets tough?

JG: I’ve had an incredible career so far. I worked for 15 years in the nonprofit world before starting my own business. Good Shepherd Food Bank is filled with so many incredible women leaders who have given me the tools to be successful. Also, my husband, Doug, inspires me. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him. He believes in me and knows my worth, he’s nudged me to charge what I’m worth and when a potential client questions that, he always validates that I’m charging what I need to for a certain reason. 

And who do I lean on? You, first and foremost are my first text message, whether there’s a huge high or a huge low! I think we definitely have a mutual relationship, I've learned so much from you. To be able to have somebody to talk to and who will listen to what I’m feeling if I’m excited or disappointed has been absolutely huge. 

MVM: Yes, it’s very much mutual! Do you have any teachable moments from owning your own business that you want to share? 

JG: Yeah, to provide context; part of my mission is to be all-inclusive and provide services to anyone who needs or wants them. I love working with LGBTQ+ couples and clients. I had an LGBTQ+ couple hire me for their wedding. I sent them the new client form and didn’t think much of it until we had a site visit. I looked down at my form and realized it said ‘bride and groom.’ You know, here I am promoting that I’m inclusive of everyone, but my form was showing something different. I immediately apologized, the couple was really kind about it and said their friend and DJ had sent them a similar form. That same day, I went and updated my form to say “partner”. It was a huge teachable moment that I’m grateful for. I want to be sure my processes and forms, etc. are aligning with my mission to be all-inclusive. It’s hard to admit when you make a mistake, but I want to practice what I preach. 

MVM: Getting over that initial uncomfortable moment and correcting yourself, and now sharing with us, is part of what moves things in the right direction of inclusivity. Do you have anyone that you want to mention as a shoutout?

JG: So many! You know, when I first started event planning, I honestly thought it was going to be something like the Devil Wears Prada for the wedding industry, but it’s the exact opposite. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming. The amount of people who have pulled up a seat at their table has been incredible. Amy Kayne and Lee Ann Black, of 2Gether Private Chefs, the men, and women who have continued to support me from the Good Shepherd Food Bank network, Rue from Geraniums Red Delphiniums Blue, Sarah from Lazy Acres Farm in Farmingdale, Veronica, The Barn at Silver Oaks, Megan, the second half of Maine Gift Girls, of course! And YOU (Mercedes) look at this incredible network you have built in such a short amount of time. Everywhere we go now, people stop us on the street- to say you are MVM, Mercedes! 

MVM: Oh wow, you are seriously hyping me up! Is there anything else that you want people to know about your business or advice you want to share? 

JG: So advice for business…you know, it’s really hard to start your own business. It can feel really lonely and uncertain at times. Don't be afraid to send emails out to your contacts asking people if they or anyone they know is in need of your services. It’s scary at first, but reaching out to former connections can be an incredible asset. Word of mouth is so powerful. I was terrified that no one was going to respond, but within the first week of leaving my job, I ended up getting a job as a corporate event planner! 

I also want to say, as women we tend to push down our wants, needs, and dreams or are taught to ignore our intuition, but I’m here to say, chase that fire burning inside you, trust your intuition! It’s scary, but work towards what you want. Lean into your fear. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a negative thought like, who am I to be here? You have to shut those negative thoughts down. It’s such a time and energy suck. 

At the end of the day, the only person who needs to believe in you- is you! Everyone else is a bonus. Get out there and chase your dreams. Life is too short.

MVM: Thank you! That is SO true and so good to close this conversation out with!! Love you!!

Thank you to Julie for taking the time to talk with Maine Vibes Magazine!

Web: https://maineeventplanningco.com

Instagram: @the_maine_event_planning_co

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