As I prepare to launch Living in Love Events, I find myself overwhelmed with emotions. It’s been a long road full of excitement, anxiety, and even a little bit of self-doubt. Starting something new is always scary, and if anyone tells you different, they are lying. But despite the challenges, I am determined to pursue my passion.

My own journey started last spring when I found myself grasping at straws, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life after I walked away from something that I loved, but that was no longer feeding my soul. Covid, the lack of staff, and trying to wear too many hats had dulled my sparkle within my last working and business-owning adventure, and I was heartbroken at the end of it all.

At 36 with three kids, a change in career and identity is extremely scary. I began working with our local Work BC and found myself with an amazing coach who quite literally made me feel like anything was possible. She helped me identify my strengths and showed me that my reputation and happy nature could help me conquer whatever I wanted to. We did all the placement tests that helped show me what paths my personality steered me towards, and everything kept coming back as leadership, management, and business owner scenarios.

Then, I was offered the assistant manager job with a BC Parks contracting company looking after the Corridor of Wells Gray Park, Pyramid Provincial Park, and The North Thompson River Provincial Park. This job opened my eyes to the beauty that is The North Thompson and Wells Gray Provincial Park, and the untouched potential for events was so obvious to me. I saw the potential for elopements, engagements, date packages, camping romance packages, wedding services for the venues that we currently have, and the potential for so many other people to open their doors as wedding venues. Tourism is such a big part of our area, and through social media platforms, I believe we could really put Clearwater and area on the map for events. The local talent we have is unreal, but we don’t seem to have much hype focused on events. I decided I needed to change that.

After finishing my season with Parks, I booked an appointment straight away with my Work BC counselor and briefly told her of my vision. She was seriously like my own personal cheerleader, and with her encouragement, I enrolled in the self-employment program through Community Futures.

That’s where my journey building this business began. It all happened really fast and furious. But as I embark on my professional journey, I have come to appreciate the value of working collaboratively. My aim is to create a supportive ecosystem where mentorship and community are paramount.

Living in Love Events is more than just an event planning company. Our website is inclusive to everyone in the community and beyond to showcase their services, venues, adventure packages and accommodations. However, we also shine a spotlight on supporting women in business, or women thinking about making the move into becoming an entrepreneur, or even women looking for a sense of community and a feeling of support from other women. One of my big goals for this company is to shape it in a way that builds a supportive community for other women who are also trying to juggle work and family.

So, with all of that said, Living in Love Events was born. It’s a passion project that I hope will inspire others to pursue their dreams and create a supportive community along the way.