Today we’d like to introduce you to Linh Phan.
Hi Linh, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up I’ve always been a crafty person and I genuinely enjoy every stressful second of it. Now that I think about it, I think I take after my parents and their love for decorating since they would host weekly parties before COVID-19 hit. My parents and I would always put something together for special occasions and it became a monthly family tradition. As any millennial would do, I would always post it on social media. Then my friends and classmates started reaching out to me, asking if I could do something for them as well. Most of the events I did at the beginning were actually free in terms of labor cost because I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t mind at all.
At the time, I was studying biological sciences during my undergrad years and I also had another job along with event planning. Life was so hectic with constant studying, being in and out of labs and early morning shifts at the clinics so event planning became my outlet. It was definitely more of a stress reliever/hobby type of thing rather than a job. It’s more important to me that my clients can host an event without the stress and not too sound too cheesy but seeing their smiles when they see the final set-up makes it all worth it. With the encouragement of my friends and family I’ve decided to go through with it and opened a small business. I actually save all of the thank you cards, notes and comments to re-read whenever it gets tough. I am where I am today because of the love and support I’ve gotten them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Just like any other business, there’s no such thing as a smooth road there’s always going to be a bump somewhere along the way. It was very challenging at the beginning and it just gets harder every day to be honest. It’s a very competitive industry to be in. Unfortunately for me, I officially started my business just a few weeks shy of the COVID-19 breakout so it felt like I just hanging off the cliff at first. Aside from that, I think the other obstacle is the misconception about the cost of event planning and event decor. I don’t think many people know the cost of rentals. Decors, supplies and vendors. Hours are spent crafting together an event before event day. All of the work and magic actually happens before set-up day. I spend a lot of time crafting my own decors so I am able to create a budget-friendly event because it’s more important to me that they’re able to host the party of their dreams without the stress and financial worries. However, it’s really hard when clients wants events as extravagant as the post they saw from famous celebrities but their budget barely covers half of the decors so in order to make it happen, I’ve done a few events in I didn’t earn a penny from.
Just like any business, marginal profits is what keeps the business going. So when that happens, it hurts the business tremendously. For events like that, I had to learn to step back and toughen up a little more about rejecting certain event projects. Usually, I’ll offer alternative package plans that’ll be more financially ideal for my clients before that happens. I hate turning my clients down and I try to avoid doing that at all costs. The other hardship is that beauty is in the eye of the holder, what is considered beautiful to one may not be as fitting to the other. This makes a living in constant doubt of my work mentally draining and it’s a competitive industry that doesn’t make it any easier. That’s why I am so thankful for all of the support of my clients, vendors, friends and family. Which is another reason why I save all of the thank you cards, notes and comments on my phone and I read it when I feel like I’m too critical of my works. My work isn’t on a canvas but it’s at a venue that will be creating so many memories and celebrating a milestone in someone’s life so I hold myself accountable for creating the best piece of work for my amazing clients.
We’ve been impressed with Crafted Plans, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I value every relationship I have with each and every one of my clients. I save all of the sweet notes and thank you cards from my clients, it’s truly an honor to be at these events and to have the opportunity to put it all together for them. It’s very important to always hold myself accountable for the work that I create because this event represents the celebration of someone’s milestone and there’s going to be so many memories that come along with it, not just for my clients but also the guests. I’m all about stress-free budget-friendly events. I handcraft a majority of my decors so which saves my client’s wallets even more. I love offering my clients unique events such as nail bar, food stands, movie projector setups and event activities to add a little more magic to the party at just a fraction of what other event planners charge. Crafted Plans isn’t just all about the event planning business, It’s also a small gift shop! I love creating beautiful handcrafted custom gifts. My ultimate goal is to make Crafted Plan the one-stop-shop for all life’s joyous occasions, from the gifts to the parties. I take on all events, from proposal planning, business launch parties, officer dinners, baby showers to birthday parties!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is when my clients are happy. I understand the events I organize are significant to my clients. From proposals of two love birds, new parents expecting their firstborn, sweet little first birthdays and a new business launches. I place a lot of value on the events I take on, because I know it’s the world to my client’s therefore, being able to bring all of it to life for them is what I strive for. Nothing warms my heart more than seeing my client’s smile ear to ear at the events.
Pricing:
- Date night set-up starting at $150
- Simple Backdrops $500+
- Simple party packages $1,000+
- Grand party packages $3,500+
- Gift baskets & Custom gifts $10+
Contact Info:
- Email: craftedplans@gmail.com
- Website: www.craftedplans.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecraftedplans
Image Credits
Photographers: Alex Phan, Phuc Nguyen, Vinh Nguyen, Katie Thompson
