The Beginning

" Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths" - Proverbs 3:5-6

I have been spending the past few days pondering on how to start something such as this... and I thought it would be best to start with an introduction. Something beyond my "about me" page. As many of you might already know my name is Andrea and I am the founder/ Owner of

A & R Event Designs. I run basically everything other than delivery ( thats where my husband comes in). That means from the initial messaging to the proposal making to the accounting to the flowers to the cleaning to the hiring to the planing/ coordination .... its all me and the sweet ladies I recently hired to help me. I started this company when I was fresh into marriage and only 23; which starting young was probably the best thing I could have done. It is always funny to see peoples reactions when I tell them my age and what I do, but honestly I wish I started even earlier. 18 year old me enrolled in college to study medicine ( yes I wanted to be a doctor), 19 year old me wanted to be a therapist ( I realized I loved talking to people, hearing their stories, and helping them emotionally heal rather than writing prescriptions), and 23 year old me decided " shoot I am a creative". I was in grad- school studying to become a licensed therapist , I thought I had it all figured out, my father was proud... I was proud. But that is not really enough is it ? The more I started to understand myself the more understood I was totally in the wrong field. Although I am still so passionate about making human connection I found it almost impossible to not cry at every sad story/ video/ movie I heard. What I realized was always constant was my love for art, for self expression, for creating something beautiful. Simply put, I like to get my hands dirty and create beautiful works of art. From being a potter/ painter to being a florist. Furthermore, It was not until later that I realized not only do I like to party but I LOVE throwing/ planning a good party. Which is when coordination came into play.... so what started with a passion for creating beautiful things became a full- blown business.

I was scared.

I was anxious. I was stressed. Quite frankly I was a mess, but only on the inside ... I was so scared what others thought and scared of failing ( imposter syndrome). So much Fear and Anxiety. But that is not from the Lord and I had to keep on repeating that in my head " Fear is not from the Lord, Anxiety is not from the Lord, have faith, Trust in the Lord". Thats where Proverbs 3:5-6 comes into play. I knew that if I kept God in the center of absolutely everything I can't fail, he will show me the path I was intended to walk on. I decided to not rely on my own understanding because God knows my past, present, and future so why should I fear... that would be very foolish of me. You might ask your self " what is the point of this segment", this is what I want you to get out of it: IF you have dreams, goals, passions.... and you are scared to pursue them, put God first and he will show you the path you should be walking on. You CAN do ANYTHING you set your mind to if you put God in the center.

Making the first big step.

The first step is usually the scariest. Investing a fraction of our savings in a new rental business was scary, it was a huge risk. But as I like to say.... you do not grow in comfort, the greatest rewards come from taking risks. Those initial farm tables we bought were a gamble but I had faith, faith in God showing me his plan for us and faith in my husband ( it was his idea). We took a risk, and it paid off. The next big risk I had to make on my own. That was leaving my consistent, reliable, and very beneficial job. I had consistent pay, benefits, so much time off, and Grad- school paid for. It would be silly to throw that all away ( my father definitely thought so) but it was a risk I had to make for my own growth. It was a sink or swim situation. I knew in order to be successful in my company I had to be all in, I simply could not juggle both jobs, I was losing my mind ( and hair). I had to make a decision, fear started crippling in again, I heard all those voices telling me that I will fail, I would not succeed, and that I am not good enough. I always had to get reassurance from my husband, asking him " will we be okay?' He being the most relaxed and easy going guy ever would always assure me that we will be fine and that he believed in me <3 With that, I quit. Neither I or my Husband had a job or a Home. We put all our faith in God. That same month we somehow got into a house with no jobs. The next month A & R Event Designs made my 1- year cooperate salary. In two months I managed to get paid what would have taken me 12 months to make. Now it has been six months since quitting and I have created a six- figure business. All the credit goes to God and then my husband because with out them I would be nothing; just a sheep in a cubical pressing buttons and making calls.

This is my story.

I hope this encourages at least one person. I want to show people that they can do whatever they set their minds too. Take risks! Be Fearless! I believe in you :) Since starting this business I have obtained so much knowledge that I know will be beneficial to others and this Blog is where I will share it all.

Topics will include but are not limited to:

- How to quit your 9-5 and start your business

- How to create your dream wedding without breaking the bank

- Trends in florals

- Trends in wedding Designs + Fashion

- Ways to save money on Florals

- Do's and Don'ts for Brides

- Best Places to Honeymoon

- My top Vendors

_etc

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me, it honestly means the world!

- Andrea