Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Dixon and Mandy Llewellyn.
Hi Elizabeth and Mandy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Beth and Mandy first met in 2009, when Mandy was Beth’s wedding coordinator. Through the wedding-planning process, we quickly became close friends and discovered that we worked really well together, especially when it came to creating memorable and special events. Over the years, we had the opportunity to collaborate on a variety of events, including weddings and school functions, which gave us a strong foundation for working together.
In October 2024, we learned about the opportunity to purchase CoMo Picnics, a luxury picnic business. We were immediately excited about the potential of the business and saw an opportunity to build on what had already been established while also bringing our own ideas and creativity to the brand.
We officially decided to purchase the business in December 2024. Since then, we have focused on rebranding the business, expanding our services, and creating an experience that reflects our personalities and vision. It has been an exciting journey, and we are proud of how much the business has grown in a relatively short amount of time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our vision for CoMo Picnics is different from that of the previous owners, so we made the decision to take on this challenge independently and build the business in a way that reflects our own vision and strengths. Because of that, we have truly learned as we go. Every step has been an opportunity to grow, try new things, and figure out what works best for our clients and our business.
One of our biggest priorities has been building our own unique reputation within the community. We have worked hard to upgrade our inventory, elevate our style, and create a high-quality experience that sets a high standard for our clients. We want every picnic and event we create to feel thoughtful, beautiful, and special.
One of the biggest challenges we have faced is simply getting people to know that we exist! We are a small business with a limited advertising and marketing budget, so much of our growth has come through word of mouth, personal connections, and the relationships we have built within our community.
The response we have received from our clients has been incredibly positive, and that has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. At the same time, we are constantly looking for ways to improve and raise the bar for ourselves.
Ultimately, we would love for CoMo Picnics to become a household name in our community—a business that people immediately think of when they are looking to celebrate a special occasion, create a memorable experience, or simply do something a little different. We are excited to continue sharing all of the possibilities CoMo Picnics can offer and showing our community what we can create.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are both teachers, and we absolutely love working with children. At the same time, we have always had a passion for creativity, event planning, and creating special moments for people. Owning a business together has given us the opportunity to combine those passions and create memorable experiences for our clients.
CoMo Picnics specializes in luxury picnic events, and we take great pride in creating a unique, custom design for every occasion. Whether it is a birthday celebration, date night, family gathering, holiday event, or something completely out of the ordinary, we work with our clients to create an experience that feels personal and special. We are proud to be the only luxury picnic business in Mid-Missouri.
One of the experiences we have become especially known for is our bubble tent picnics during the holiday season. In December, we set up our heated bubble tents near the Magic Tree, a local holiday destination featuring thousands of beautiful lights. It has become a really special experience for our clients because they can enjoy an outdoor picnic surrounded by the magic of the holiday season while staying warm and comfortable inside the heated tent.
Living in the Midwest means the weather doesn’t always cooperate, so our bubble tents give people the opportunity to enjoy an outdoor experience even when temperatures drop. It is a unique experience that combines the beauty of the outdoors with the comfort and luxury of an indoor setting—and it has quickly become one of our favorite offerings.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Yes, we would definitely consider ourselves risk-takers. We purchased CoMo Picnics based largely on an idea and a belief in what the business could become. While CoMo Picnics has been around since 2020, it is still a relatively young business with tremendous room for growth, and we saw an opportunity to take that foundation and build something even bigger.
Taking on the business was a significant financial commitment. We took on a sizable business loan and purchased a large inventory of items, much of which we continue to evaluate, improve, and refine as we learn more about what our clients want. We have also been intentional about looking for new markets and opportunities within our community. We are continually putting ourselves out there, building relationships, and finding new ways to increase awareness of CoMo Picnics.
As with any growing business, we have to be thoughtful about the risks and rewards of every investment we make. Our profit margins are still relatively modest, so we carefully consider each purchase and improvement to make sure it will provide value for our clients while also moving the business forward.
Even with those challenges, we continue to see so much potential in CoMo Picnics. We believe in the uniqueness of what we offer and in the experiences we are creating for our clients. We are willing to take the risks necessary to grow, but we also want to do so thoughtfully and responsibly. Most importantly, we hope our community continues to support this unique business idea and gives us the opportunity to continue growing and creating memorable experiences for years to come.
Pricing:
- for pricing inquiries please visit our website www.comopicnics.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.comopicnics.com
- Instagram: comopicnics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoMoPicnics
