Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Dziedzic.
Hi Kelsey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I moved to Baltimore two weeks before the school year started in 2013, ten years ago. I was hired as a Language Arts teacher for BCPS. I knew nothing about Baltimore before I moved here, I’d never even been to the state, but I was ready for a new chapter and a chance to start my professional career.
Fast forward almost seven years, I’ve taught at three BCPS schools at this point, and I’m completely burnt out as a teacher. The toxic environments were taking a toll on my mental health, and I decided to quit without another job lined up (thank God for my husband’s support at this time).
After a few months, I was able to find another job in education, but this time for the city of Baltimore. I started two weeks before the COVID shutdown and was sent to work from home for the next two years. I went from a very active position as a teacher and now found myself in a “desk” position. The adjustment has been hard, and I started to look at what I wanted for the future of my career.
When I was a teacher, I also worked part-time for a wedding venue. I enjoyed my time there but stopped working once COVID started. Additionally, my best friend from college (whom I convinced to move to Baltimore) had been working for years as a corporate event planner. About a year ago, a mutual friend asked if the two of us could coordinate her wedding. We obliged (obviously), and the idea for our first company was born.
We established Day of Duo LLC and have been working on coordinating weddings ever since. It’s been a complete learning experience starting a new business. It’s not something that I ever envisioned for myself. Someone referred to me as an “entrepreneur,” and I was like me? I wasn’t what I thought of when I thought of an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs were people who were bold, daring, and risk-takers – not at all words that I would use to describe myself.
Growing up, I was always the quiet girl. I lacked the confidence that I have today. Could I start a business? I questioned myself along the way, and I was certainly no entrepreneur (in my mind). But after our first year in business, I can say that we are two women entrepreneurs who have started our own small business.
I wanted to expand on my ability to serve my clients, and one thing I knew I enjoyed for sure was traveling. This is how New Dawn Vacations was born. It’s a joy getting to know our clients during the wedding planning process, and it makes my job as a travel agent even easier as most times I already know my clients and their preferences. Not surprisingly, my biggest specialty is planning honeymoons, but I can plan any trip. In the future, I want to expand my service offerings to destination weddings.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest obstacle in starting the business was knowing how to start a business. I had to find out how to register with the state of Maryland and how to keep track of accounting and taxes.
I had some experience working with website creation, but I had never had to market myself. Learning how to create effective content was new to me. But between researching on the internet, and watching a lot of YouTube videos, I can say that I’ve learned a lot.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
One thing that I felt was really important when starting a business was knowing that I wanted to be inclusive of all clients. I want my clients to know that whatever their religion, sexual orientation, race, or type of relationship, we will do our best to execute the vision for their special day.
What sets Day of Duo apart from other wedding planning businesses, is that there are two of us. I think people underestimate how much work goes into planning and executing an event like this. On the day of the event, it’s extremely beneficial to have two of us. We’re able to get double the amount of setup done, and most importantly we can be in two places at once. For example, if the ceremony is in a different location, one of us can coordinate that while the other makes sure the finishing touches are ready for the reception. Or sometimes, one of us will be cueing members of the bridal party to walk down the aisle, while one of us is ready to open the doors and fluff the veil for the bride’s grand entrance.
For New Dawn Vacations, it has been important for me to educate clients and potential clients on the process of working with a travel agent. I find that for many people, it is their first time. Personally, when planning my honeymoon, it was the first time I worked with a travel agent myself. I think there are a lot of misconceptions in the field due to the lack of transparency and the variance from agent to agent. For example, some agents charge for their services, while others are free.
In both businesses, it’s important to me that I focus on the small details. For events and vacations alike, I want to ensure that my clients are truly enjoying their time and living in the moment. I don’t want them to think about timelines or logistics. I don’t want them worrying if the officiant has signed their certificate, or if their cards and gifts have been moved to a secure location. I don’t want them to worry about how they’re going to get from point A to point B. It’s my job to make sure my clients have a wonderful wedding day and can continue that feeling into their honeymoon.
Pricing:
- New Dawn Vacation travel services are free.
- Day of Duo wedding packages start at $2500
Contact Info:
- Website: Day of Duo: dayofduo.com and New Dawn: https://tap5.myagentgenie.com/kelseydziedzic/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayofduo/ https://www.instagram.com/newdawnvacations/
- Facebook: Day of Duo: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088958409232 New Dawn: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095049633126
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-dziedzic-31a8b473
- Tiktok: New Dawn: https://www.tiktok.com/@newdawnvacations
