Not everyone likes change. There is a level of serious discomfort that comes with new things, and a lot of us just can't take it.
I don't mind change. I like the excitement, the new possibilities and the momentum.
Today I will change my FB profile and it will generate a little buzz. Some have suggested that I'll change my relationship status, and alas, that will have to remain a goal for 2012. Rather, I'll be changing my employer (whose approval I wanted to get before posting, thus the anticipation).
"Wait", you may be saying to yourself. You own your own business (two in fact)! Yes, I am changing from being a solopreneur to being an employee and part of a talented family. Well, at least in terms of my weddings (for those who know me as a freelance writer, that continues completely unchanged...and was taken into account when I changed directions).
I am so delighted that after close to 6 years of begging them to take me, my good friends at The Flower Cupboard have agreed to add me to their team. I will be joining a group of people who I truly consider family as their in-house wedding planner.
Same job, more opportunities, and more co-workers (i.e. less lonely).
So no one panics, here is an important note:
For my currently signed clients, NOTHING changes at all. If you signed a contract with Williamsburg Wedding Design, you are still clients of Williamsburg Wedding Design and ME. You and I are still working together in the exact same capacity, and I am still THRILLED to be your planner. The Flower Cupboard's owner, Cathy Nester (my "other" mom) was very sensitive in allowing me to continue with my current clients without any kind of disturbance. Your relationship with your florists will be respected just as they have always been.
Because people panic about change, I repeat - current clients have nothing at all to worry about. Nothing has changed. You just happen to be my "graduating class".
(On the same note, if you're working with The Flower Cupboard and you have a wedding planner, that's awesome! Every bride is a valued individual and when my services are needed, I'll be called on. When they're not, they have PLENTY of flower buckets for me to clean in the back!). :)
I love planning weddings, and have spent more than 7 years in Williamsburg doing just that. What I don't always love is working alone. Of course, I have Debbie Jones, my beloved associate, on wedding days, but she refuses to hang out with me for free the rest of the time. There are a lot of things you can do as part of a team that you can't do on your own. I've kind of exhausted what I wanted to do all by myself in weddings, and am ready to see what being part of a greater whole might bring.
I can't make the change less awkward for all of you, but I can thank you in advance for being supportive and showing your love. I can also promise that my renewed energy will be spent in large part on coming up with even more ways to make Williamsburg the ultimate destination for weddings. The Flower Cupboard's spirit is contagious, and I am so grateful that they are willing to have me.
So, to recap:
1. YES, I am still a wedding planner. You can still hire me to perform all of the same services - you will just do so via The Flower Cupboard.
2. YES, I am still a freelance writer. Nothing about that changed at all. No panicking.
2. Yes, I am closing Williamsburg Wedding Design, but with NO disruption to service. For my clients who accept this change gracefully, I'll have to come up with a collectible "graduating class" token of thanks! :)
3. No, I'm not engaged (sorry to disappoint the 2 of you who thought that was my status change).
So there you have it. You're going to ask all kinds of questions about websites, wedding blogs and probably even business cards that I'm not prepared to answer yet. I'll keep you in the loop, and I look forward to seeing you on North Boundary Street soon!
Happy New Year!
Shayna
