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Meet Trailblazer Taryn Smallwood

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Taryn Smallwood.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Taryn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I stumbled upon my love for event planning in high school. I organized a community 5k for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. I found working with different vendors and making all of the details and the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly a challenge that brought joy to my soul. When I started my freshman year at CSU, I knew I wanted to dive deep into all areas of event planning so I could have the first-hand experience of the different jobs of vendors I would be working with on a daily basis. During that time, I worked in catering, set-up, and detailing events for the CSU Student Center. While getting behind the scenes experience I started working in different fields of event planning – corporate, nonprofit, and finally weddings.

Wedding Planning is where I found my true calling. I did an internship with a high-profile company in Denver where I learned the ins andouts of wedding planning and what it takes to be a successful business owner. The biggest lesson I learned was that relationships with your clients and vendors are everything. I was able to start my business during my senior year of college and have loved every minute of it. I took the plunge and have been running my business full time for the last four years.

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?
Know your worth! When you are just starting out, you are hungry for any and all business. You may feel like you should discount your prices or take on clients that you can tell are not a great fit for you. The biggest lesson is learning to price your services appropriately and that it’s okay to say no to clients who aren’t the right fit for you.
When I started out I was too eager to discount my pricing and took on clients that didn’t line up with my brand and personality. Once you find your ideal client and target market, never question yourself or your brand.

We’d love to hear more about b.astonished Wedding Planning.
I’m a Wedding Planner based in the Greater Denver Area. I plan eclectic weddings for romantic Colorado couples. As a sixth generation Colorado native, I love working with couples who adore Colorado. Whether it’s incorporating locally grown flowers into your bouquets, serving a craft beer made in CO, or getting married on the top of a mountain in Breckenridge, my clients are down to earth and love adding these extra details to their wedding.
What sets b.astonished Wedding Planning apart from other planning companies in CO is that my business is 100% referral based and I only take on one wedding per weekend. I want to ensure my clients the best service possible and by limiting how many weddings I take on allows me to do this!

Which women have inspired you in your life?
My biggest source of inspiration has always been my mom. She is an entrepreneur and has her own company as well. Growing up, she was always my rock and told me to follow my dreams. When I decided I wanted to start my own business, she was my biggest cheerleader and provided me with constant advice along the way. I aspire to be as compassionate and successful as she is.

Pricing:

  • Day-Of Coordination – $1,800
  • Partial Planning – $2,800
  • Full Planning – $4,900

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Head Shot – Hunter Thompson with Vert Photo – http://www.vertphoto.com
Client Photos – Kylie Morgan with Kylie Morgan Photography –https://www.kyliemorganphotography.com

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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