Planning For Rest
For many of those who know me well, you know how much I cherish and love this time of year because of the many holiday traditions that my family and I celebrate. For the majority of my academic and professional life, I’ve always had some iteration of a winter break. It’s one of the many things I enjoyed about being a student, an elementary school teacher and working at an educational nonprofit organization. As I’ve gotten older and especially now that I’m a parent, this time off during the holidays has become more meaningful and special to me. Now as a full-time business owner, I’ve intentionally made the decision to carry on the “winter break” tradition of fully shutting down work the last two weeks of the year as part of EOD’s annual Winter Restoration Break.
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From Job Loss to Boss: My journey of curating a thriving business
Over the course of the last year, a disproportionate number of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances have been affected by layoffs. Being with folks through this tough time has led me to relive a lot about how EOD started. It’s a story of conviction, finding opportunity in challenge, the strength and power of relationships, and believing so deeply in a vision that just had to become a reality.
Four years in, I feel compelled to share a bit more about EOD's origin story with the hope that it sparks inspiration, courage and conviction in anyone considering following your passion in a moment of challenge.
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Becoming a Mompreneur: What I’ve Learned as a New Mom and Business Owner
As a new mom, I’ve been filled with immense gratitude to be surrounded and supported by so many wonderful mothers in my life. Over the last year, I’ve received so much love, encouragement and advice from my family, dearest friends, my team members, clients and fellow mompreneurs.
This sisterhood of mompreneurs is extraordinary and I feel so fortunate to be a part of this community. So in the spirit of sharing and caring, I’m offering some of what I’ve learned as I’ve become a first time mompreneur. My hope is that some of these insights and personal examples will resonate and help other moms in the way that so many have helped me!
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Tips for Planning In-Person Retreats in 2023
So many organizations have been eagerly awaiting our “return to normal” - by which I think many of us mean a return to 2019. For better or for worse… 2023 is not 2019! At EOD, we have been learning so much alongside partners who have planned and hosted their first in-person retreats. I’m thrilled to share some of what we’re learning with you!
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Goodbye 2022, Hello 2023!
Every year at this time, I pause to reflect on all the work we accomplished as a team, the growth we’ve made as a business, the events we curated and most importantly the lessons we’ve learned. As we prepare for what is shaping up to be an exciting 2023, I’m reflecting on these key lessons learned in 2022.
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Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month
Reflecting on these experiences and the importance of creating intentional and safe spaces for communities of colors to celebrate, share stories, and to remember our histories, reminds me of the power in numbers, the power in diversity, and the power in community.
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Gratitude for Year Three
As we celebrate three years at EOD, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for our partners and supporters. In a year of real challenge - an ongoing pandemic, unprecedented climate change, and the continuation of a painful racial reckoning in our country- our clients continue to amaze and inspire us.
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Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month
As a daughter of Guamanian and Colombian parents, my parents shared many of their cultural traditions that have stayed with me and have inspired the work I do on a daily basis. In celebration of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month, I’m sharing a few ways of how my Pacific Islander identity and culture has shaped and inspired EOD.
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You Probably Need an Events Partner
As an event planner working mostly with nonprofits, most of my first conversations with clients are about the benefits of bringing on a partner for their event. So many nonprofits are trying to do more with less while supporting and investing in their own teams through a global pandemic. At first, the thought of bringing on an external event planning team can seem like an unattainable luxury. Yet, I find with most of my clients that the benefits outweigh the costs and many are actually finding financial savings by working with an outside organization.
Trying to decide if bringing on an event planner is right for your organization? Here are some scenarios and core benefits of partnering with an event planner.
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Curating Meaningful Holiday Traditions and Celebrations
Holidays mark our days and years with poignant experiences and memories to ground us in the celebration of life. The smell of my mother’s sopa de caldo after midnight mass is the beginning of Christmas. The taste of yellow rice with beans is a sense of plenty to share throughout the holiday season. The feel of twelve frozen grapes between my fingers means we’re just about to usher in a healthy new year. Some of my most cherished childhood memories are from the holiday season spent with my family and loved ones.
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