Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Layne.
Hi Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a gatherer of people, a wife and a mom. I love to invite others into my home. I want my home to be a ‘haven of peace’ for all who enter. A place where they feel loved and welcomed. One way I like to accomplish this goal is hosting events in my home. I think it’s ingrained in me. Some of the best memories I have of my mother are the birthday parties she threw for my sister and I. She always made them special. Her abounding creativity is something I still strive for to this day. Her mother also loved to entertain. I believe my love for making people feel special through events is ingrained in me through them.
People want connections. We are created for it. The unfortunate quarantine of 2020 helped us realize that. There are individuals waiting out there to be invited in. The event doesn’t have to be elaborate, just thoughtful and sincere. You don’t have to be a professional hostess or event coordinator for your guests to know that you care.
I believe that hospitality can change those around us. Connection is something that we so desperately need in this virtual world. Face to face conversations seems to be dwindling. We all need more opportunities for real connections in our lives. That is why I started Inspired To Invite. Through my blog posts and social media, I hope to inspire people to open their doors and invite others in. I want my readers to see that they can be a positive change in the world just by welcoming others into their homes. Life is meant to be celebrated!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I didn’t always see clearly what my next step in life would be or the impact hosting events had on my guests.
They say whatever your ‘super power’ or ‘gift’ is will come natural to you. You may not see it but others do. You may love to cook and think that making delicious meals is easy for everyone but that is because it’s YOUR gift. So naturally, I thought that others liked to host as much as I did.
A few years ago, I became frustrated that my friends didn’t host many gatherings. I wanted to connect with people, did they not want to connect with me? Then I realized that the reason I was upset about the lack of hosting was because it was what I was called to do, not them. It probably never crossed their minds to host a special Bunco night or wine tasting event. It became evident once I opened up my home that they did want to spend time with me and others. They were just looking for a place to connect.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a blogger. I share ideas and tips for hosting events as well as how to make your home more inviting for your guests. My main purpose of my blog is to inspire others to host gatherings in their home. I want them to know that they don’t have to be a professional event planner to host. That events are more than just nice decor and great food, they can be a time for people to connect, which is what life is all about!
Any big plans?
In the future, I would love to have a line of products that would make hosting events easier. As well as a quarterly subscription to step by step planning/hosting of featured events.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.inspiredtoinvite.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredtoinvite/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieLayneHostess
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5_ITCZ5d1a5Au5t861l3rg
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/InspiredtoInvite
