Editor’s note: David Beahm was a balm for me during the early days of the shutdown. Broadcasting via Facebook Live from Thistle Dew Farm, he imparted words that—as I think I said earlier in the year—caused me to “calm the hell down.”
David wrote this note for our 22 Predictions article (see page 12), but in launching this new column for Catersource, I felt that his words, coupled with that exceptionally jaunty holiday-invoking suitcoat and bowtie, made a perfect fit for this winter issue.
Should you be interested in writing the send-off note, The Digestif, for a subsequent issue of Catersource magazine, please drop me a line.
—Kathleen Stoehr, [email protected]
Back in 2008 when I saw $1.5 million-worth of business vanish in less than a week, I turned to one of my favorite, smartest clients who, basically, sits on the board of the world and said, “Should I shut this thing down?” He very kindly dropped by my office and spent all of five minutes looking at my books and said, “Shut up. Say yes to everything, regardless of the profit margin. Just keep money running through the business and it will come back.” He was right.
Keep breathing and do everything you can to let your clients know that you’re here to stay and you will be there for them, no matter what. Even if it means being ruthless with cuts until more fluid times. Slash and burn can be your friend, not your enemy. Change is good.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the business of special events, EVERYTHING is cyclical, including your bottom line. When it goes down, know that it’s going to eventually come back. Patience must be
your virtue.
People need to gather.
So, they call on us.
People fall in love every day. So, they call on us.
People need to celebrate life. So, they call on us.
People are going to be chomping at the bit to share their stories and engage clients. So, they call on us.
It is going to be us in special events who are going to have to be more creative and flexible than we’ve ever been. There is no group out there in this world who is more equipped to step up and take their calls. Buckle up, the ride is going to be better and more thrilling than any roller coaster.
Be ready for the calls.
