Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Tonya Round of MIdtown

We recently had the chance to connect with Tonya Round and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Tonya, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity – everyday of the week and twice on Sunday!

Intelligence can be obtained with work and perseverance. The ability to be open and learn new things, opinions and change are extremely important in my role as an owner of a catering company.

Energy seems to rise when it is needed for me. I can go for quite a while and then take a day and recharge. Also, coffee and energy drinks help A LOT!

Integrity is your word and moral compass. Lose either and what do you have? People count on me and my team to help them create something for others. My job is to deliver and execute a thought, an idea an experience that my client wants to have for their customers, friends or peers. If I over promise, over book or not deliver the items ordered with the flavor promised, I have made someone else look bad and have disappointed someone that trusted me with their gathering.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tonya Round and I am the owner and operator of Well Rounded Events [see what I did there].

I have been in hospitality for 40+ years and have waited, tended bar and managed, opened, consulted many different restaurants in those years and landed on catering the last decade and was part of more than 3000 events during those years.

I absolutely loved and was honored to be part of those events, but something was missing. I know that I love to throw a party. I also have the ability, knowledge and experience to do so, but not everyone else does. So, I wanted to help others to do that.

When people hear the word ‘catering’ they think of BIG full events. Well Rounded doesn’t see it that way. Do we do those, heck yeah, but we also have provided the meat for an annual group picnic, while the members supply a potluck side. Hot meal pick-up/delivery for one of those uber cold days last year. Local business lunch & learns. Easter and Christmas gift baskets. Charcuterie board thank you….it can go on and on!!! We are in the business of Creative Gatherings for Big Memories!

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Everyone.

I always worked hard, in academics, sports and jobs. I had successes for sure. It was important to me to be good when I was younger, but not too good – right? If we could go back in time with what we know now 🙂

I put myself through undergrad paying cash. It was hard. I worked 3 part=time jobs and went to school full-time. I lived in an apartment where there might have or might not have been a few murders there in the recent past. With my degree in hand, went to my first interview and the lady interviewing me asked ‘What accomplishment are you most proud of?” My response, ‘I put myself through College with cash.’ She replied, ‘That’s it?’ REALLY!?!

I ended up getting that job. It was awful. I was put in a cubicle with a stack of manuals and told to figure it out. So long story short, I created a training program for the company as I navigated my learning.

I just thought I was doing what needed to be done. Nothing special.

Now I realize that what I was doing was making sure no one had to go through what I did. I wanted to raise people up. Doing your best wasn’t the norm and ALL the people around me knew that way before I did from my teachers, peers, co-workers and friends.

Not sure if that actually answers the question, but…

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
This is somewhat of a loaded question.

In my youth, I’d walk away. Experienced me, says that’s the last option. Stand your ground and fight for what was promised. In hindsight, I left so many opportunities that could have been however, I wouldn’t be here.

Then, I had an idea. I had done public speaking in front of hundreds of people but when pitching my idea, I would have full blown panic attacks. It was crazy. I was about to give up but once again someone saw something in me and my idea and helped me through it. I was awarded a $25,000 grant to pursue my idea/company. It was amazing!

Fast forward to today. Open a business, they said. It will be fun, they said. Anyone that is an entrepreneur has moments during a day, week, month or year where they are wanting to give up. It’s hard. For me, I am trying to enter an industry that has well established caterers [I helped to create one of them] so it is hard and I know what I am up against.

You have your projected sales, which gives you your motivation. When you lose some of those sales, as a little company, it is so hard to recoup. So, when you look at your bank account and sigh, you want to give up. BUT then you get that call, and the next one and you realize you are providing something that matters and brings you and others joy and all the ‘GIVE UPS’ disappear.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes!

I am a little softer on the inside than people know, but I am doing better letting it out.

I used to think you need to be ‘fill in the blank’ to do business. There are times that take more decorum than others for sure, but what you see is what you get.

I take what I do very seriously, but not myself. Authenticity is important. If my experience has shown me anything, is that people like to do business with people they like. If I present myself different than I am, then it is not a good connection and both parties will end up disappointed or at the very least frustrated.

For better or worse, I am who I am.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
Duh, ME!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wellroundeeventskc.com
• Instagram: wellroundedevents_kc
• Linkedin: Well Rounded Events
• Facebook: Well Rounded Events KC

Image Credits
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