Conversations with Amanda Hammer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Hammer

Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I owe a lot to my parents. My mom is extremely creative and has an eye for interior design. With her, “Anything is possible” attitude and the encouragement from my dad, they made every birthday/holiday/celebration over the top and memorable.
In high school, I was lucky enough to have friends at several different schools who were on student council. For homecoming and prom I’d tag along when it was time to decorate and often there would be professional balloon artists or other event specialists who were willing to teach me techniques.
While in college, I worked at a golf course which hosted several weddings, company parties, and social events. There I learned a lot about tablescapes, time management, and design.
When I had my own children, it was important for me to celebrate any occasion! I love to entertain and especially plan themed parties. Now that most of our children are grown and out of the house, I thought why not continue with my passion and what I love to do?
As a working parent, I know how stressful it can be to plan even a date night, let alone a memorable birthday party. So, I decided to take a leap of faith and see if anyone out there would see the benefit of having me take that stress off them, and thus Not Your Mama’s Picnic was born. I’m so thankful to have the support from my husband and kids who are always willing to help.
To date, I’m proud to say I’ve executed weddings, baby showers, birthday parties for all ages, anniversary celebrations, and of course I still love providing small intimate celebrations like date nights or surprise picnic lunches in the park just because.
I’ve met some amazing small business owners so far, and I love the support system we’ve created!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a luxury picnic business has not been a smooth road. I thought being a minority, woman owned, small business I’d be able to receive grants and funding to help with start-up costs and cash flow. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. However, the biggest struggle I’ve had is actually the weather here in Colorado! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve set-up a gorgeous picnic only to have it suddenly start raining or the wind pick up! Luckily, the saying is true. Just wait 5 minutes and the weather will change again!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I create luxury events for any occasion. When I say “luxury”, I mean tablecloths, custom made picnic tables, full tablescapes, reusable or ecofriendly plates, cloth napkins, custom backdrops. No cookie cutter events here. Someone once called a picnic birthday party I provided a, “Picnic for a Sulton”! From planning, design, set-up to clean-up, I’m there to help along the entire journey; allowing my clients to truly enjoy a stress-free occasion. I really try to understand the feeling and vibe that my clients are trying to achieve for their event. It requires a lot of communication and thinking outside the box. One time, I had a special request cake flavor for a surprise birthday party. Unfortunately, I could not find a local bakery that would make this flavor. So, I took it upon myself to bake this very important cake. My client told me a week later guests were still talking about that cake! They were so surprised I pulled it off and how good it tasted! It’s things like that, that really sets me apart from anyone else. I would much rather overperform than underperform so, I always try to do something a little unexpected to show my gratitude. Whether it’s a simple card, a gift, or upgrading a package free of charge, I appreciate everyone who entrusts me with their special occasions.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the uniqueness of each of my events. If you have an idea for a celebration, I’d love to help you make that dream become a reality. I’ve been asked to plan a picnic for dogs (and their owners of course) and I sincerely look forward to making that possible for this sweet client who obviously loves her pets very much.
I’ve also planned Halloween parties, (some of my favorite events), marriage proposals, and styled engagement photoshoots.
I really look forward to using my creativity and talent to expand and grow this little business!

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I’ve traveled across the country and to many other countries. The people in Denver are my absolute favorite of anywhere in the world! We have such a diverse community, yet the one thing I consistently recognize when meeting new clients is the passion for sustainability and keeping our outdoor spaces beautiful.
Unfortunately, I really dislike our current inflation situation.

Pricing:

• Date Night for 2, charcuterie included $200
• The Primo for up to 4 guests $350
• Large Group Events- Custom

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.notyourmamaspicnic.com
• Instagram: @not.your.mamas.picnic
• Facebook: not your mama’s picnic, llc
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/not-your-mamas-picnic-thornton