Today we’d like to introduce you to Damara Patterson.
Hi Damara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story started with me having no idea what I wanted to do with my life in college. I remember sitting in my advisor’s office and saying, “I want to be a wedding planner!” and she told me, “There isn’t a major for that.” Ugh! After changing my major what felt like a thousand times … early childhood education, interior design, psychology, social work … you name it, I eventually decided to take a break from school. That break led me to a sales job at a local bridal shop, and I absolutely loved it.
I spent the next 12 years in the bridal gown industry, including managing a store in South Carolina for three of those years. Toward the end of that chapter, I was juggling part-time bridal work, starting a family, and helping coordinate weddings at a church. One day it hit me: I can do this anywhere, not just here! That’s when the idea for my own business started to form.
For the first time, I felt like I’d found what I was meant to do. I didn’t know how I’d make it happen, I had no business background, no extra money, and two little kids at home, but I knew I was headed in the right direction. I printed some business cards, started spreading the word, and slowly began to plant the seeds.
Things didn’t take off right away, but then came a turning point. I’d learned from my bridal store days that bridal shows were a great way to connect with couples. One day, while sharing my dream with my family, my grandparents surprised me with a check to help me officially start my business. Without even knowing it, they gave me the exact amount I needed to participate in my first bridal show.
With just a few weeks to prepare, I designed my first booth, showed up with all the enthusiasm I could muster, and ended up winning “Best Booth” at the show! That event booked my first season of weddings, and from there, I hit the ground running. Twelve years later, I’ve never looked back!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes and no! I’ve always felt like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, and that reassurance has kept me going through every challenge. Owning a business, especially a seasonal one, is full of unpredictability. Learning how to actually run a business was a huge adjustment for me, mostly because I never imagined I’d own one in the first place.
Honestly, I didn’t even realize I had a business until about five or six years in! (LOL.) I was just a girl doing what I loved and getting paid for it. I mean, sure, I filed my taxes and did all the things a business owner should do, but I didn’t really see myself that way. Word of mouth and one bridal show a year kept my calendar full, and I loved the flexibility it gave me to be present for my kids.
Of course, life had its ups and downs, but I never let it get me down.
Looking back, learning to be a business owner was definitely the hardest part. But I’ve realized that even when it’s challenging, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. Every step, smooth or not, has led me right where I’m meant to be.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Wedding Planning + Specialty Rentals
Your calm in the chaos.
We offer coordination to full-service planning, plus carefully curated rentals to enhance your event, like our restored 1950s trolley that converts into a mobile bar or cigar lounge.
How do you define success?
I believe success is the ability to remain joyful and grateful, regardless of the circumstances. To me, it’s less about achievements or titles and more about how you feel within your own life. If you can look around and appreciate what you have, stay grounded in who you are, and continue moving forward with purpose, that is true success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.reinspiredevents.com
- Instagram: @reinspiredevents
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reinspiredevents
