Happy July! Can you believe how fast time is flying? Right now as I reminisce over the last 2 months, I’m thinking about where I’ve gone with Ohana Events.

Without a doubt, the last 2 months were my busiest for the year. With 6 weddings, 1 bridal shower, 1 graduation party and 3 children’s events at a local mall, I feel like I haven’t caught my breath. It might make sense to everyone why I picked ho’omau as this months value to strive to incorporate in my business.

Ho’omau is the value of perseverance.
To persist, to continue, to perpetuate. Never give up.

I have not come close to the feeling of giving up, but it is interesting reflecting back on my stress level in May and June. I was always on edge knowing that it was officially “go-time” to show the world what Ohana Events is all about. Not even just the world, but myself. I am confident in my planning skills and ability to execute a flawless event, but I still had to prove it to myself. I truly am very proud of every single event I’ve coordinated this year and I cannot wait for the rest of them this year.

Yesterday was no exception. I was hired for full planning and design for a wedding at the Wandering Tree Estate. This is a venue where we had to bring in everything, from the tent to the portable john, because the venue is simply a beautiful plot of land. It was an all outdoor wedding. The ceremony and cocktails were both in open-air, then the reception was under a tent. I was praying for months that it would not rain because of the implications that would occur. We would have needed to get an extra tent, adjusted floor plans, and overall would not be able to embrace the beauty of the Wandering Tree Estate. A week before the wedding it was not forecasted to rain, but it was forecasted to be the hottest day of the year with an excessive heat warning. Oh boy, talk about a complete turn of events. Buying last minute fans because no rental companies had any in stock, changing some of the flowers to silk so they did not wilt during the ceremony, storing the bakery’s cake in the caterer’s refrigerated truck until 5 minutes before the cake cutting, purchasing extra bags of ice at the gas station because we went through it so fast. Overall we survived the heat, and I think the guests were happy with the changes we made to accommodate the weather. I’ve never been so stressed preparing for a wedding, but I never gave up. I am extremely proud with the outcome. You can imagine my feet will be up all day, and I’m staying in the cold air conditioning of my apartment.

Even though all is well, I do want to work on my attitude while pressure is high. Being busy is amazing. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I have to get myself to realize that every business has their busy season and I just have to persist, continue and perpetuate this never ending process of planning and repeating. I was feeling overwhelmed at times, frustrated that I worked 12 hour days, and discouraged when one little thing went wrong. This is all part of the business though, right? Powering through the hardest times. But I’ve made it through my first busy season at Ohana Events! The rest of the year settles down a bit so I know it will feel like a breeze. Still hoping to book more business, but I doubt it will be as busy as May and June.

My grandpa turns 90 years old on the Fourth of July. I’m helping organize a small family party on his behalf. I can’t wait to talk to him about my business because he’s one of my biggest supporters. He always tells me “keep on doing what you’re doing. You’re going to make a difference.” I do feel that also reflects oh’omau which is perfect timing. Maybe Gramps will influence what next month’s value will be! Stay tuned!

-Danielle Kuhn, Ohana Events