Check Out Dell Ann Upp’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dell Ann Upp.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
In 2014, I was living in Manhattan, Kansas, and opened an event rental company called Supply EVENT RENTALS and Design. After years in the event industry market, we started getting busier in Kansas City and decided to relocate to a warehouse here. After the pandemic and having been in the industry for many years, I decided to sell the company because I felt a bit burnt out and did not want to miss weekends with my daughter. I was planning to take some time off work for a few years when my daughter came to me with an idea to paint your own pottery, craft, and milkshake studio. Her concept was excellent. The business she had created contained all the elements that brought her and me joy. We decided to make the concept together, and in June 2020, we opened the first Creative Culture in Westport. After being open for a short time, we realized that the market needed more activities and ways for people to be creative. After considering locations, we decided to open a second location in Leawood, Kansas, at Park Place. I was living part-time in Portland, Oregon, then and got bored, so I opened our third location in Portland. Soon after, we expanded into Omaha, Nebraska, opening our fourth location.

One thing that was always in my heart was rentals. I couldn’t shake it. The Kansas City market was profoundly lacking in quality table-top EVENT RENTALS, precisely a table-top company with a vast selection and various styles. I focused strictly on Plates, chargers, glassware, flatware, and table numbers. What I am good at after 12 years in the event industry, creating a curated selection of these items, and delivering exceptional service was my mission. Large quantities were also a goal of mine. There are many significant events in the Kansas City metro; finding these specific items in larger quantities is always tricky. I decided to stock quantities of 200+ of each item and have the ability to grow this stock to the needed quantities of the client. With all my businesses, the brand has always been a key element. When I name a business, I design the brand. I always try to think of things that inspire me or that I love. My favorite snack has always been lemons with salt. I knew I had to find a way to incorporate LEMON into my rental company brand. I had a killer building in Westport, begging for some fun, so we painted large lemons all over the exterior of our building and greeted guests with a bright yellow-lemon-colored door. It’s fascinating to be back in the KC Wedding industry market. The event vendors in Kansas City are some of the best in the country. Everyone works together, and the sense of community is extraordinary.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Having been in the industry for years, re-entering the market was scary. I focused on building a solid brand and offering the products I knew Kansas City needed. The logistics with EVENT RENTALS always need help. Still, I incorporated everything I did right and wrong over the last 12 years into the new Lemon operations model. Years of experience have helped guide me through this new endeavor.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve always considered myself a creative. I love concept designs and am drawn to creative outlets. One thing that has helped make me successful over the years in my business ownership is the ability to plan operations and logistics. Business ownership and operation are only sometimes just the fun of pieces and the creative pieces. Much work goes into the back end to develop processes and strengthen the business’s backbone. As a perfectionist, I always want to provide my clients with the highest level of service and a seamless experience.

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
There have been so many lessons learned over the years. I have grown exponentially in the last 5 to 10 years. One key lesson I have learned is not to be scared. Refrain from letting anyone tell you there’s something you can’t do or that something you’re passionate about is a bad idea. If I listened to everyone who told me, my ideas would not work. I would have owned fewer successful businesses than I have. Develop a solid business plan, do the research, and put in the work.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.rentlemons.com
• Instagram: Rentlemons
• Facebook: Rentlemons

Image Credits
Professional headshots by Juliana Noelle Jumper