Meet Rachel Wood

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Wood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I am extremely proactive. I try to stay two steps ahead with always having the client in my mind and asking what questions they would ask. I put myself in their position so I can anticipate their needs before they even know what they need. I follow up and keep a running to list that never seems to get any shorter. Follow up is key so my calendar is filled with reminders so I don’t forget anyone or anything.

I am also very responsive and keep communication open. People want to know they are being heard and get answers in a timely manner. I rarely go over 24 hours without answering an email (let alone an hour). This can be extremely stressful for clients so if I can ease their worries before they go to bed for the night, I think that goes a long way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
There are so many event planners out there these days. Do a basic google search and hundreds of options will pop up. It’s brutally competitive. There is a huge range in prices for services so it makes it hard for people to understand the differences among us professionals. I can tell you what makes me different. For one, I have a Bachelor of Science in event planning from San Diego State University. Yes, I got my college degree in this. And I have worked almost all avenues of event planning– from hotel sales and catering to non-profit fundraising events to private event planning. 10 years ago I left the corporate world to start RSVP Events. It was a huge leap of faith and it was nerve wracking. I said basically said yes to every event I had the opportunity to be apart of and I kept my prices low. I went above and beyond for clients. Eventually, word spread and I got better referrals and bigger events. Saying yes to everything was extremely tiring and eventually I was working every weekend away from my family. Along the way, I learned my worth and what value I add to an event. I also learned I can’t do it all. I’ll leave the centerpieces to the experts and I’ll focus on the event logistics. I don’t take on as many events any more but I don’t regret how I got to this point.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would be so lucky to have my bestie in San Diego for a week. We would probably mix it up. I think we both crave pool and spa days so somewhere like the Hotel Del Coronado or Rancho Valencia would be appealing. Spend a few days lounging by the pool, drinking cocktails in the sun, and then dinner on property, followed by rotting in bed watching whatever Bravo show is on. Now, this is good for maybe 2-3 days maximum. After that we need to change it up. Maybe we’ll head downtown for a bit. Farmer’s Market at Little Italy, Brunch at Morning Glory and maybe dinner at Herb & Wood. A fun comedy show would be cool or even a Padres game would be fun. We don’t care about sports, but its the atmosphere and food we love! Oh, and a trip to the cat cafe with a chai latte would top it all off. Honestly, anywhere in SD with my best friend would be heaven.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to Sherrill Kinsler Gilford!!! I first met Sherrill 20 years ago when I volunteered at one of her expo’s. I soon became her assistant and worked along side her every weekend through college and after. She is the one who approached me to start RSVP 10 years ago and without her, who knows if I would have ever gone on my own or gotten as far as I did. She’s a true leader in the industry and I learned so much from her. You’re lucky if you know her.

xoxoxo

Website: https://rsvpsdevents.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rsvpsdevents/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsvpsdevents

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rsvp-events-san-diego  

Image Credits
Bob Hoffman Photo, Paul Barnett Photo, True Mitzvah Photo, Raven Berlin Photo