Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyra White-Williams.
Hi Tyra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been the “planner”. I plan the family vacations, girls’ trips, everything! I can ever remember being in high school and mapping out my life goals, by when I wanted to achieve them, and how long I should remain in each role.
Despite starting off as a software developer, my junior level career soon took a turn into project management. That is where I found my niche! From that moment forward, I’ve been a self-proclaimed logistician – planning out timelines, budgets, and resources down to the very little details. It was not until I planned my own wedding that I considered myself to be a “creative”.
After successfully pulling off my wedding within scope and budget, I needed more. I realized that I wanted to be more than the family’s resident planner and more than the technical project manager that I had been. I wanted to take my skills and use them to help other people like myself: Type A individuals that may simply just not have the time or understand the intricacies of wedding planning.
Since starting my business in December 2019, I have built an extensive network of trusted preferred vendors that I can rely on. I have gotten to know many couples in order to help them navigate their wedding planning journey, with a focus on providing custom experiences for each couple based on their needs. Despite COVID-19, I took my first year in business and made it into an opportunity to learn, not only from my experiences but from my couples and other entrepreneurs around me. Although this is only year two in business, Events by Tyra has surpassed anything that I ever expected when I first formed my LLC.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
While the road has been “smooth” I cannot say that it was without uncertainty. When I started Events by Tyra, I just decided to wake up one day and dive in. At the time, I did not have a clear business plan, I wasn’t sure of how much things costs, what tools I needed, or even what services I wanted to provide.
My company originally began as T. Williams Consulting, LLC, which was an all-encompassing consulting agency. Within the agency, I took on everything from event and wedding planning to proofreading and virtual administration. It was only through trial and error that I learned about pricing, reducing the scope of the business, and branding. It took roughly five months as T. Williams Consulting, LLC before I realized that I needed to take a pivot for the best of my business. In April 2020, I registered the trade name “Events by Tyra”. By that time, I studied people that I admired, asked questions, and was ready for a re-brand that I hoped would bring in my ideal clients. Having made less that $500.00 total as a business owner by this time, there was not very much else that I could invest than strong will, positivity, and surrounding myself with a network of people that wanted to see me succeed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Events by Tyra?
Events by Tyra is a wedding planning service based in the DMV area. I currently offer full service, partial, and coordination packages for weddings of all sizes. Regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation or religious background, I give 110% of myself to my couple in order to ensure that they have flawless weddings that are unique to their taste.
One thing that truly sets me apart from others is that I run my business based on trust – trust in vendors and my client’s trust in me. I make it a point to personally interact with each vendor I work with as well as each couple that says “yes” to Events by Tyra. A wedding is such an important moment and it is my personal belief that, in order to have a stress-free couple on wedding day, they have to trust whomever they have made responsible for planning and executing their special day. I want clients and vendors to be confident in my skills and confident that I’ve got them covered no matter what. This is why for each wedding package, I offer unlimited access to my time as a wedding consultant. Vendors also have every opportunity to book time with me just to chat and share experiences.
Having been a bride myself, it is very easy to put myself in the shoes of the couple. I know what to expect, I understand when certain things should be done, I know what questions to ask, and I can relate to the anxiety that may come with those that opt-out of full-service wedding planning. My professional background allows me to creatively problem solve and provide suggestions, all while ensuring that each intricate detail for the big day is covered.
The best part of it all? I am passionate and I think that wedding planning is fun! I always encourage my couples to give their stressors to me so I can turn it into a good time!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Owning a business is a risk within itself. Starting my business without ever having any inkling or desire to run a business is likely the biggest risk I have ever taken. Without any business plans, mentorship, or even research, I relied on faith and passion. Although I would not recommend that route for other people, I do think that it is important to take risks towards self-preservation, happiness, and achievement.
Pricing:
- Month-of Wedding Coordination – $2000.00
- Partial Wedding Planning – $3150.00
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@eventsbytyra.com
- Website: www.eventsbytyra.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventsbytyra/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eventsbytyra/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/eventsbytyra
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/events-by-tyra-brandywine
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/events-by-tyra-brandywine-md-2045046
Image Credits
Carletta Girma for Carly Romeo & Co. Laila Chanel Studios Taylor Rose Photography
