Conversations with the Inspiring Kara Shropshire

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Shropshire.

Kara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I consider myself an outgoing Cincinnatian who loves a good party! In my case, loving parties and planning parties goes hand in hand. After I graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Hospitality Management, I moved to Colorado to pursue a career in event planning.

I started at “the bottom” bussing tables, serving drinks, and running food. Eventually, I was promoted within the catering company I worked at to a Catering Sales Event Specialist. That position really laid the groundwork for my day to day duties at my current position as an Event Designer at By Design Collective. (Catering brand, Catering by Design).

My dream to be an event planner slowly evolved into event sales and design. I now work at a prestigious company based in Denver with the freedom to design menus, decor installations, and outsource other great vendors to make my client’s vision a reality.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Looking back at 29, I can say with full confidence that my 20s was a wild ride. Graduating from college and moving across the country made me grow up fast and become fiercely independent. I learned that I would only be successful in life if I worked hard, stayed humble, and remained tactfully vocal of my personal and professional goals.

My advice for young women would be to eat a big piece of humble pie. Become a sponge and learn from everyone around you, but simultaneously don’t lose sight of who you are. It’s often so difficult to get someone to take a chance on you. Being vocal in your desire for upward mobility will get people to notice. The only reason I crossed the bridge from my “job” to my “career” was that I asked for it.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I work as an Event Designer at By Design Collective. We specialize in catering events as small as a backyard picnic for 30 to festivals for 6,000 in a field to multi-day events out of state.

One of the most amazing things about my job is that the sky is truly the limit. We are so much more than a catering or decor brand. I have the ability to contract outside vendors that I admire in order to create truly stellar events. I am only as strong as my network of great “friendors” that love events as much as I do.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Be patient. Nothing will happen overnight. Just know that every day is a building block to something better. Learning tough lessons along the way can ultimately become your strength. One day, you’ll wake up and be that wise person you’ve always admired.

Contact Info:

• Address: 11095 E 45th Ave, Denver, CO 80239
• Website: http://bydesign-collective.com/
• Phone: 303.762.7328
• Email: kara@bydesign-collective.com
• Instagram: karaking23

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