small business owner

Welcome To A New Era: Introducing HUE Business Coaching & Consulting

February 18, 2020 By Sarah Davidson

You all have been so supportive of this new era in my business life lately and I cannot thank you enough, but once again, thank you.

And with this post, I’m excited to introduce a service that now aides in supporting the other side of my audience, small creative business owners and vendors in the event industry! This has been a long time coming and we’re excited the day is finally here.

Introducing: Business Coaching & Consulting by HUE

The launch of our business consulting branch is the brainchild of nearly a decade of experience in the event industry, as well as the following facts about myself:

I enjoy working with vendors just as much as clients
I’m pretty good at effectively pushing creative ideas forward
I love my life as an entrepreneur, and want to share the love with others who are also following their passion

From there it was a pretty simple question. What can I offer that encapsulates it all?

So who is this service for? I’m looking for creative entrepreneurs and event based business owners who:

Have business ideas that they want to develop but need help or don’t have the time
Need help organizing their systems and processes to stay on track with business goals
Need someone to brainstorm with, bounce thoughts and ideas off of, and provide accountability on a regular basis
Have general business administrative tasks they’d like to hire someone for, but they don’t want to have employees
Are looking to break into or grow further within the wedding market

Do you fit one of these criteria? If so, take a peak for more info here.

And let’s all work together to keep moving Wisconsin Events Forward.

Featured Photo: Tim Fitch Photography

Welcome to a New Era: Introducing Our New Website

February 16, 2020 By Sarah Davidson

Friends, welcome to HUE by Sarah Davidson.

Yesterday I shared the story of our decision to launch our new brand, and the love and thought that went into it. Today, I want to tell you all about this new, beautiful website you currently have found yourself on.

Five years ago when HUE started, I asked a friend and co-worker to design my logo, and brother-in-law to build my website. I am eternally grateful for what they did to launch our presence into the world and these elements have gotten us quite far. Thank you Amy and Erik!

When the time came however for a refreshed look, I was excited to lean on some colleagues I met within the industry a few years back, with tried and true success in marketing and design within our world. This was important to me because let’s face it.. weddings can be just a BIT over the top 🙂

Enter Chad and Jodi Everts, the dream team behind Everts Marketing. Jodi and I had sat on the Board of Directors together for our local chapter of NACE where we built a friendship, and I continued to follow their work from there. I couldn’t be happier hiring these two to build my new “storefront” and first impression of our new venture to the rest of the world.

As I mentioned in the story of our new brand, two adjectives I’ve always liked are “bold” and “edgy”. I know that they might not be the first two that come to mind when you think of weddings, but that fact in itself got me excited. Throughout this process I continually leaned on asking myself “How can I look as different as possible?”. While it’s nerve wracking to share the final product, I’m ecstatic with how it turned out.

The other main thing I knew I wanted was lots of engaging, and specifically video heavy, content. As I said before, we can be a bit over the top in the wedding industry, and I feel the best representation of how we as planners can really have an effect on things is through seeing final results. And while photography is important, video just takes things to a whole new level. It conveys event mood and vibe to the watcher, along other experiential details such as voices and body language.

I met Paul Gero about a year ago, also through NACE, and we got along great right away. While he has quite an impressive resume as a photographer, he’s more recently been building his reputation as a videographer as well, and one who’s skills I wanted to take advantage of. I’ll never be able to thank him enough for following me around for 10+ hours at Joe and Steph’s wedding or working together on a marathon interview session. You can see for yourself the results sprinkled throughout this site, and I hope you’re just as happy as I am.

Aside from the overall aesthetic and design, the other major change with our new website is the addition of this very blog, and FINALLY combining it as a part of our all encompassing outward presence, and not something out separate in the infinite digital world. This is something I’ve wanted to do for years but just needed the time.

There are many practical business and SEO related reasons to have everything in one spot, but for me, it’s all about the ease of use for everyone coming to visit us here. To be able to offer our clients and potential clients a vast library of knowledge right at their fingertips for free is a service that we’re proud to provide. It also allows us a platform to share accomplishments and celebrations, as well as the beautiful work we’re honored to be a part of. We could go on and on 🙂

While you’re here, don’t forget to check out our updated “Meet Us” and “Weddings” pages to learn more on what we’re all about, as well as the newly minted “Business Coaching & Consulting”, a fresh service I’m excited to delve more into in the coming days. Big things happening all around!

So thank you once again for being here and entering into this new era with us. It’s going to be a good one.

Sincerely,

Featured Image: xo azuree

Welcome to a New Era: Introducing HUE by Sarah Davidson

February 14, 2020 By Sarah Davidson

It’s here, it’s happening! Welcome to a new era, introducing:

Five years ago, in February of 2015, I started Harmonious Union Events not having any idea where it was going to take me. I had been working in the wedding industry for a few years as a venue manager and knew I wanted to do something for myself (pretty much because I wanted the ability to take vacations whenever I would like). After speaking to some other planners and industry friends, it seemed like it was an opportune time to jump in the market so I chose to seize it and setup the LLC. Simple as that.

For the first two years, I still didn’t really know what I wanted to get out of this. I certainly worked with some great clients and built strong experience, but was never really sure if it was always going to be a side gig or if I wanted to turn this into the real deal. Then I attended Camp Wed and everything changed. For other small-business entrepreneurs, I cannot stress enough how important I believe it is to invest in yourself and attend summits and retreats such as this. Spending a few days surrounded by inspiring creatives in a remote location can really give you an opportunity to think.

Once I made the decision that this was for real, every business decision made was with that mindset, including this one, to refresh the HUE brand to something I believe is the truest reflection of our values, image, and services.

Two adjectives I had in mind when determining where we were headed next are bold and edgy. They are words that I frequently keep in mind when designing with clients, as we work together to develop what pieces can fall in place to make their event stand out against the rest. It doesn’t have to just mean a dark palette and far out concept, but can also encapsulate a fresh take on an old idea, a wow moment, or an everyday after thought turned into something grand.

About 18 months ago, I shared this vision (along with my adult-lifelong personal and professional color mantra) with the incredibly talented Angela Mundloch at Saffron Avenue who was able to turn it into reality. Here is the brand inspiration we came up with.

There aren’t many things in the world that I can look at and say with definity, “yes, this is me” but this board is one of them.

The next step was to develop the new logo, which included the updating of our brand/company name. Many of you have known us as Harmonious Union Events, which will always be our origin and have a place in my heart. However there are a few main reasons why I felt it was time to move on:

I loved the acronym of HUE from the start and we use it quite frequently. It didn’t seem like it would be a difficult transition for an industry that somewhat knows us by this name already. Also, the dictionary definition of HUE is: “Overall character or appearance to the mind”, which plays directly into all the different services we offer and clients we serve.
As the owner, I want all clients to understand that I still have my hands on everything even if I may not be at your event. We are a small and powerful team, and each client is provided with the same high end treatment no matter who you may be working with.

Working with the points above, as well as our brand inspiration, HUE was reborn.

And finally, because she’s a world class designer, the flourishing touch that Angela created for us was a few patterns that speak greatly to our services and style, gorgeous weddings executed through meticulous planning. I’d say that looks something like this, wouldn’t you?

There is so much more about this process that I intend to dive into as well with you, including our new website and updated services, but for today this is where I will leave things.

I also will leave you with one other special piece of information. As of January 1 and officially with this re-brand launch, this business is the real deal. I have left my “safe” day job to jump completely into HUE full-time, and couldn’t be more terrified OR excited by it. I can’t speak enough to how supportive everyone has been – family, friends, clients, and the industry. Thank you as we grow into this new era!!

Introducing HUE Core Values

August 15, 2019 By Sarah Davidson

Did you know that we’ve been in business for nearly FIVE years? Five years of working with clients, partnering with vendors, developing visions, and ultimately making major decisions about who we are as a business. It’s taken pretty much that entire time to figure things out, but we’re proud today of who we are and what we stand for. It’s about time we shared it all with you!

After some workshopping late last year, we are excited to introduce our list of Core Values for Harmonious Union Events. Core Values are meant to be the fundamental beliefs of a businesses, and to create an unwavering guide to determine if we are on the right path in all decisions made. It is our hope that everyone reading this will be able to go through each statement below and say “Oh yes, this is completely them”.

HUE Core Values

TRUSTED
We are commonly the most personal vendor relationship a client will have when planning their event. We tailor our approach to exactly what the client needs both in pace and communication style. We are honest but kind, and make everyone’s life easier.

EFFECTIVE
Every problem comes with solutions and every set of logistics has a battle plan. We turn fuzzy pieces of a vision into a well-executed event in just a matter of time, no matter where you are at in your process.

ADAPTABLE
Each event is a new event. We have a wide variety of experience, a diverse portfolio of clients, and will work with any budget. We’re always up for learning new traditions, cultures, or styles. Bring us anything!

CONNECTED
We are continually present in our community and industry, educating ourselves and building our network. Vendors are just as excited to work with us as clients are, and we always have the latest scoop.

TRIBE-ORIENTED
We are partners, moms, daughters, friends, and business women. We work together, celebrate together, and look out for one another every day, to make sure each team member is reaching her dreams, both personally and professionally.

Okay, those are it! What do you think?

It’s very scary to put these out there for the world to see. They’re personal and make us feel like we’re just opening a door to be constantly judged against them. But that is the point right? We strongly believe in everything listed above, and in officially adopting them, we not only need to hold ourselves accountable to them but let others do so as well.

So look out world, here we come!

Featured Photo: Paul F. Gero Photography

Why I Outsource: Tax and Accounting Edition

April 12, 2019 By Sarah Davidson

The date I’m choosing to share this post with you all is no coincidence. My hope for you is that you already have your taxes filed and set, with either a low/no amount due or a nice return coming your way! For those of you still scrambling or stressed, please read on AFTER you’re in a better state of mind 🙂

Four years ago, I decided to take the plunge and hire a tax and accounting consultant. There were two main reasons for this:

I had just started Harmonious Union Events and NO idea what sort of tax things were all involved in being self-employed.
We had just purchased our first home, which felt like the jumping off point into official “adulting”, and we knew that would be just the first step of many new things we would encounter in our lives that now played a big factor into filing taxes.

This is one of the best business and personal decisions I have ever made.

(Photo included because this topic is best discussed with a drink in hand)

I know that everyone has their own approach, but as a mom, entrepreneur, and someone who at least tries to have a social life, my time is one of the most valuable things in the world to me, along with my sanity. Anything that I can do to help preserve those two things nearly always comes in at a high priority.

Here is just a short list of tax/accounting related things that a consultant can guide a small business owner through:

Filing quarterly, which you’ll want to do so you don’t have to pay a HUGE amount during your normal annual spring filling. When you’re employed by someone else, your tax owed is just taken out of your paychecks throughout the year and you don’t have to worry about it. When you’re self-employed (or get paid as a contractor, such as Uber driving, etc) you have to remember that you owe Uncle Sam around a third of every single payment that comes in.
Deductions, which ROCK! Mileage, supplies, and meals related to your business are just a few of the categories that can be deducted when going through self-employment taxes, and you’ll want to make sure that you get the absolute most out of those as you can.
What needs to be taxed and when. Personal services? No. Rentals, floral, and photography? Yes. Something that you purchased online that didn’t include tax? Make sure that’s added in somewhere. Also, this varies state to state and if you did business in another state from where you’re located you better believe that you’re filing taxes there too. HALP!
General bookkeeping. How do I need to categorize this? Did that payment come in? What receipts do I all need and what info from each? There’s people out there that actually love this stuff you guys.

(Still making sure your with me.. just listen to the pretty music!)

And don’t forget about your personal life! A few things we’ve gotten major help on:

All taxes related to owning a home, including what deductions are now involved in having a home office. This would also be a major tax component for you if you do Air BnB or other short term rental programs.
Babies, babies, babies. There are all sorts of fun child related tax and deductions to consider, as well as what goes into college investments, etc.
We’re involved in some business ventures that have unique tax forms at the end of the year, require us to file in multiple states, and also don’t release the tax forms until just a few weeks before April hits. Because our accountant is so organized and ready to just drop this info in as it comes, we feel absolutely no stress around this, even this year with a new baby due on April 6.

Of course there’s a cost to everything, but this is really for you to decide on what is the tipping point for you. Are things simple enough still that the time is no big deal? If so, that’s great! However, for me, I’m now freed up to do two major things:

Spend ample time with my family, my friends, and be available to manage the most important and favorite aspects of our personal lives.
When I’m not doing Number 1, growing my business in major ways, including right now devoting ample time building a social media presence, the CRM software component of my business, and my personal vendor database.

(Okay all done, time to party)

Hope this helps in your decision process – and Happy Tax Day!

If you’ve been swayed or have already considered reaching out to someone, I’d HIGHLY recommend my accountant and fellow girl boss, Stephanie Strupp, steph@strupptax.com, who works remote and is available for hire no matter your location.

Featured Image: XO Azuree