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

Hi Sara, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Great question. Perseverance is a major factor in the success of my business. Especially now with a pandemic and Covid 19 shutting down the event industry as a whole. Being successful in this industry is requiring a full professional pivot from in-person event expertise to full virtual adaptation. It is no longer about being an event producer/planner. You have to be an event producer and a video producer. As an event industry business owner, being able to “pivot” despite the difficulty of getting to the end goal for the client, will be the deciding factor on which businesses stand strong and those that will not. I truly believe that being able to persevere outside of the comfort zone and think entirely of the box over the last 12 years, will carry me through the next 12. I have rebuilt an entirely new event system around virtual, and will continue to learn in this space, if that is what will continue to bring people together.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sara Brown Events is an event management firm specializing now in both in-person and virtual event audience engagement, I have over 20 years of meeting and event planning experience with corporate companies and non-profit organizations nationwide. The passion behind the work starts with an understanding of the clients’ audience and goals. I follow the latest business trends, study new event innovations, and pack my network with influential leaders to collaborate on industry insights. I strive to breech what is normal, to challenge old methods, and to generate an unforgettable experience. I believe in leading with professionalism and authenticity, with a goal of creating a one-of-a-kind engagement that will capture meaningful interactions between clients and their audience. I also have a unique approach to tracking ROI on projects that enables clients to capitalize on their success, while making improvements for the future. Likewise, I am the planner that is going to come in and shake things up. I stretch my clients and push my vendors HARD to think outside of the box. Events are experiences. I want memorable experiences for all involved, virtual or in person.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Oh, this is my jam. San Diego has so many hidden gems and I am a big fan of showing people around the town we call home. I’d start with a solid breakfast outing in Liberty Station, followed by a long walk along sunset cliffs or Coronado. Maybe bounce over to OB for a famous fish taco for lunch and hit Old Town for a happy hour margarita (or 4). Follow it up with a stroll through the Gaslamp, university heights or south park to show the diversity within our neighborhoods. I’d have to figure out where we squeeze in golf, brewery tour and a lazy beach day recovery session but being a planner, I could do it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a long list of people to give a “shout out” to. My husband is a big part of my business ownership story. Living with an entrepreneur and business owner takes patience, a listening ear and ongoing support. I feel blessed to have him in my corner during all the ups and downs. From a business standpoint I am most thankful for the clients who have trusted me over the years. Not to mention a huge shout out to all of my event vendors that work tirelessly for clients- they are the secret ingredient to solid events. And last but certainly not the least, a big shout out to Anthony Bollotta, President and CEO of Bollotta Entertainment. Anthony is someone I greatly admire and respect in the event industry. Aside from being a dear friend, he has made himself available over the last 12 years for the smallest of business conversations to the largest of major client negotiations. I value his insight and carry great respect with his “seasoned” pro opinion when it comes to business ownership and the event industry as a whole.

Website: http://www.sarabrownevents.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarabrownevents/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarabrownevents/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarabrownevents
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarabrownevents/