Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarabeth Quattlebaum.
Sarabeth, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The events industry can be difficult to get your foot in the door. I started working at a bridal gown studio in 2004 while I was studying marketing. I would handle setting up the gowns and marketing materials at local bridal shows and that’s when I met a fellow wedding planner. I mentioned being interested in the industry and she replied “everyone says that” but she offered me an (unpaid) internship to see if I had what it takes.
One year later I was the VP of her company and knew I had found my career. I switched majors to Entrepreneurship and upon graduating in 2009 I left that company to focus on building Sarabeth Events. Here we are ten years later! During those ten years, I prepared for my Certified Master Wedding Planner, CMWP, designation. Then, a few years ago I started building the social event market at The George W. Bush Presidential Center and that’s where I gained more experience working corporate and non-profit events. Working at the GWBPC I had the honor to plan some amazing, once in a lifetime events! During that time, I passed the exam to become a Certified Professional in Catering and Events, CPCE. Then, in 2018, I took the leap of faith and rejoined my team full-time and started a new division planning everything from meetings to conferences to large-scale galas. We go crazy over a themed-event and we still have a social division that focuses primarily on weddings and private parties.
Has it been a smooth road?
Working in events isn’t easy! If you like working multiple 18-hour days, completely on your feet, without a break and never having a weekend off – then it may be for you. Not to mention a “meal” during the busy season is a handful of almonds. Honestly, though – it’s not glamorous. It’s not like “The Wedding Planner” or “Father of the Bride” movie. Also, having an almost OCD approach to every little detail and constantly looking for inspiration can be exhausting and you truly have to have a work-life balance to thrive. But, it’s all worth it to see the looks on the guest’s faces when they first see the event and the tears of joy from our clients. It’s a labor of love for us.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’m so stinkin’ proud of my team. Most of them have been with me from the beginning and I’m surrounded by people who love events as much as I do. Rachel Burrow, Lauren Hackett and Georgette Poole are the hardest working planners and we lift each other up. We’ve added a new team member, Krista, just this year and have an open planner position available.
We have two divisions – corporate/non-profit and social/weddings. Our social division obsesses over everything weddings and I love them for loving it. Every day they search for ways to infuse a couple’s personality into their wedding day. We want every guest to see the couple in all of the details. None of our weddings are the same – as no two couples are alike!
Our other division – corporate and non-profit events are where we focus on branding that particular event from start to finish. A cohesive style or message that can be carried through from the save the date to the final favor waiting for the guest at the valet stand. Plus, our events are not only well-executed – but they’re FUN and innovative. We like to create an immersive event experience for guests through interactivity, food, entertainment, and so much more.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Dallas and Fort Worth are in the top-three event markets, which is an amazing testament to our city planning departments and CVB’s. They are the reason that people want to host events in these amazing cities.
If someone was just starting out I would recommend joining and being involved in networking organizations in and out of the industry. We’re an inclusive community and love to lift each other up. I am an active member of NACE (the National Association of Catering & Events) and I am always happy to take someone under my wing at an event and introduce them to the amazing people in our DFW events family.
Contact Info:
- Website: SarabethEvents.com
- Phone: 2142076081
- Email: Hello@SarabethEvents.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarabethevents/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarabethevents/
Image Credit:
Photo Credit: Tracy Autem Photography
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