Today we’d like to introduce you to Dewanna O’Guinn.
Hi Dewanna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Concierge started as a means to provide for my children. I ended a long-term relationship and was down to one income. I was a mother of three, one school age, and two were in daycare merely eleven months apart. Daycare was eating away at my minimal salary; I didn’t have time to take on a second job. Not only did I work a full-time job, but I was also a full-time college student working towards my master’s degree. One night I prayed, I mean that “ugly cry” I petitioned God to make a way. I heard loud and clear my newfound direction. I was always the mother that threw my children over the top birthday parties, I was the PTA mom that made from scratch treats for the holiday parties at school, my home was always decorated inside or out festive for any occasion. I took pride in going all out during the holidays and had always been a social butterfly coined myself “the host with the most”.
One day my sorority sister was getting married and had an extremely tight budget, but didn’t want the décor and food to reflect her affordability. She reached out to me in desperation “911, I need you to work your magic”. With all sorts of obstacles from vision, budget to a large guest number, not to mention I was a bridesmaid I could not fail her and took on the challenge. The wedding was beautiful, and I found my DIY niche. Concierge was born!
Concierge is a full-service event planning company that specializes in catering, wedding & party planning, event décor, florals, and gopher services. Our motto is “Events done well”.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The greatest obstacle early on was the balance of home. My role as an active mother could not take a seat, especially to my newest business venture. Time management taught me how to maintain my status with my children while learning how to juggle school and establish relationships with clients.
The greatest struggles early on were how to operate on fumes; lots of sleep lost. There had to be a balance to this, and I was determined to find a solution. The road has not been easy, I sought help, unfortunately everyone does not have my passion for the business. When I thought I had a sound team, it turned out to be a revolving door for temporary convenience. Then there was learning the financial responsibility that comes along with being a business owner. Obtaining various licenses state/local/federal, maintaining insurance, educating myself on to properly report this increase in income earned, filing taxes, it was all too much too soon.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Concierge is a full-service event planning company that specializes in working with our clients from concept to inception for their events. We have created a footprint in the wedding industry. But are equally geared to create unique experiences for any event, leaving guests with lasting memories long after the event is over.
Early in the business reflecting over our portfolio, it was hard to identify the budget event from the one that had a more generous one. We would take the client’s need for an event and make it an experience. We never wanted the client to feel as if they could not afford a Concierge experience. Sometimes it took extra finesse, but it was always a job done well.
Concierge is consistently staying current on trends and client needs. If there is an area that is unfamiliar, we will take the time to become the expert or pair with an expert to navigate the need, the budget, the vision for an event. This is how we have generated an extensive vendors list.
Food and beverage are the foundation of Concierge. Concierge’s menu is extensive in its quality and types of foods and cocktails served. We can create menus that support desires, dietary needs of guests without missing the mark on flavor and beautiful presentations. We offer hors d’oeuvres, themed food stations, to full plated dinner. We are able to cater from two – five hundred with the smoothest of ease. We also have skilled mixologist crafting unique or branded cocktails, a sommelier ready to offer expertise on food and wine pairing meant to dazzle guests. Concierge is familiar with local venues, DJ’s, bands, and all genres of music this too helps in sustaining any lasting event.
After all, we are the expert… When it comes to décor there is not a theme or color combination that we aren’t able to tackle. Within the last ten years, Concierge has entered into the world of destination planning. Offering the same dynamic experience domestically and internationally.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory was spending the summers with my grandparents and aunt. I took interest in cooking early on, my mother and family were most patient, I learned techniques such as how to properly fry chicken at the correct temperature onto how to pick a collard green without leaving access leaf on the stem. I remember waking up on Sunday morning to the most delightful smell of Sunday dinner being prepared along with bacon in the background for breakfast at my grandparents. Sunday dinner was serious business, it might consist of fried chicken, pot roast accompanied with potatoes and carrots, collard greens or mustard greens (those were my grandmother’s favorite) purple hull peas, hot water cornbread, and peach or apple cobbler for dessert, iced tea, lemonade, or tang to seal the deal. I always coined the hunger pains that woke me up as my “Inner fat kid”.
Contact Info:
- Email: conciergeliving@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conciergelivingkc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConciergeLiving
