Lavinia Awosanya Launches Event Mood Corp.

By: GLENN TOWNES Friday, September 17, 2010 People On The Move

When Lavinia Awosanya launched her marketing and public relations business, Event Mood Corp., in Lumberton, N.J., more than five years ago, she did everything a first time entrepreneur is not supposed to do. She had no business plan, little money and no financial goal or projections. In fact, Awosanya's road to entrepreneurship was circuitous.

It was back in 2005 when she received word that her job as a manager at a New Jersey-based non-profit performing arts center was being eliminated - along with the entire program and center. The state had pulled the financial plug and the center would be shutting down for good. In other words, Awosanya was about to be jobless. The timing could not have been worse; she was just weeks away from having her second child and the looming prospect of trying to raise two children on a biweekly unemployment check would be daunting - to say the least.

In a recent interview with The Network Journal, she shared her inspirational story of her journey from department head to small business owner. "I guess I will call myself an Accidental Entrepreneur of sorts," she said. "In my former job, I was responsible for booking, programming and marketing family shows. I loved my job."

However, after the center lost its funding and furloughed employees, Awosanya initially decided that she would be a stay-at-home mom - at least for a while and eventually look for another job. However, an opportunity suddenly presented itself to her. "I received a call from my former boss at the performing arts center to consult on an upcoming regional event," she said. "The event was challenging and stretched me - which I liked, and I started searching for similar opportunities." One gig led to another and before she knew it, Awosanya had set up a home office, launched a Web site and embarked upon a small-scale direct marketing initiative. She eventually joined the International Special Events Society (ISES) - a social network of event industry professionals that develops, markets and advocates its services to a worldwide clientele.

"Through my work at the non-profit agency, I was already adept at coordinating and ensuring that all program components were in place and effective," she said. "However, focusing exclusively on events was new to me."

The niche strategy of social networking and hobnobbing with industry professionals worked and Awosanya managed to secure several major clients - including the Christian Chamber of Commerce and Green Tree Partnerships. The Christian Chamber assists members in growing their businesses through Biblical principle and the Green Tree Partnership, among other things, promotes awareness of autism.

Additionally, Event Mood Corp. has been retained by Green Tree Partnerships and will facilitate the organization's national conference on autism next year. Ari Ne'eman, an autism rights advocate, will headline the event. President Barack Obama appointed Ne'eman last year to the National Council on Disability.

Despite the tough economy and turbulent financial times, Awosanya said her business has managed to remain steady. However, similar to thousands of other entrepreneurs across the country, the lack of funding remains the biggest hurdle. One way to combat - or at least minimize - the impact of draining coffers is advertising and self-promotion. "Ongoing marketing is vital to a business that's trying to capture and maintain the attention of its target market," she said. The marketing guru offers this tidbit of cogent advice to would-be entrepreneurs---"Brace yourself for bumps along the way, but always keep your eye on the prize and be ready to tweak your business model to adjust to the ever-changing business landscape."

Event Mood in the News

Event Planning Tips

October 11, 2009 Lavinia Awosanya- President, Event Mood

Planning the perfect event takes time, focus and a whole lot of coordination. Events are a great way for businesses to make a splash while achieving organizational objectives. The reason to host an event differs from company to company; and, the goals of a nonprofit organization are likely to be different from those of their corporate counterparts.

Regardless of the size and type of business, those tasked with the responsibility of putting together a corporate event have a lot pieces to coordinate and may benefit from adopting a similar planning process.

Tips for Getting Off to the Right Start

Define the Event: This is one of the most important, if not the most important step in the event planning process. Putting on an event just because it sounds like a good idea is not enough. Establishing the purpose and desired outcomes are crucial to success.

• The Purpose: What is the event's purpose? This answers the question why. Why host this event? What is the reason for the event? Examples could be to raise funds for a new shelter; to launch the latest technology gadget; or, to thank loyal customers.
• The Big Picture: What is the vision for the event? Divergent thinking is welcome at this step of the process. It is okay to envision the event of your dreams. Do you see Anthony Robbins motivating your sales team or Oprah Winfrey giving the Keynote address?
• The Outcomes: What are the objectives of the event? Make them Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant and Time-Based
• The Time Frame: When do you want to hold the event? The rationale here is two-fold. One, you want to avoid doing your event when other major occasions are taking place. Second, you want to give yourself a realistic lead time to plan and market your event.
• The Target Market: Who is expected to attend the event? Herein lies the importance of defining the purpose and objectives. If the overall goal is to raise funds, then you want to make sure individuals who can help the organization achieve its financial goals are on the guest list.
• The Money: What is the event budget? It is imperative to take all possible expenses into consideration. Spend time listing the estimated cost associated with the various event elements, from printing to catering, from entertainment to travel, and everything in between.

Tips for Successful Event Execution:

Develop a Task List and Timeline: Some events require a whole year to plan, while others, only weeks. Strong project management and negotiating skills are needed at this stage of the process.

• Use the event timeline as a barometer to track your progress.
• Select and coordinate all the elements that will reinforce the company's brand and bring the event theme to life, such as invitations, decorations, promotional gifts and entertainment among others.
• Decide when to save and when to splurge
• Do not skimp on food. This is a no no. Lack of food will bring a great event to a screeching flop and leave a bad taste (no pun intended) in your guests' chops.
• Save on decorations. If budget is an issue, eliminate elaborate displays and arrangements. Keep it simple, but nice.
• Get creative - ask for free services and/or negotiate discounts. There are vendors who will partner with you to promote their business to your audience.

Tips for When All Else Fails

Get Help: Sometimes event hosts must determine how much their time is worth and whether dedicating extra hours to the planning process will hinder productivity in other areas.

• Hire a professional planner to coordinate all or some aspects of the event. There are many benefits to having an event planner take on the project.
• One, it is their field of expertise.
• Two, they have access to resources company employees may not have.
• Three, it allows staff to focus on their core responsibilities and not be distracted by decisions regarding linen color or centerpieces.

Four Marketing Challenges Small Business Owners Face

Earlier this year, many financial analysts believed we were heading for a serious economic slowdown. Well, it seems like we are right in the midst of it. And this has many companies as well as individuals scaling back on purchases in an effort to reduce expenses, and rightfully so. BUT DO NOT APPLY THIS TACTIC TO YOUR MARKETING. The last thing you want to do at this time is stop marketing your business. The current economic climate could be a blessing in disguise. Some experts believe that as many companies cut down on marketing spending, it gives others an opportunity to STAND OUT in the marketplace.

However, one can only find and apply concrete solutions by first understanding the challenges that many small businesses face. Limited financial, human and physical resources are among some of reasons why small businesses tend to struggle with marketing. Below are a few:

• Owners do not have the time to dedicate to consistent marketing initiatives. An abundance of time is sometimes a luxury for the small business owner. With sales calls to make, accounts to manage, business leads to maximize, and staff to supervise, among other responsibilities, marketing at times ends up at the bottom of the list of priorities. And, when it is executed, it is done in an inconsistent and uncoordinated manner.
• Owners struggle with crafting a compelling message about their business. Companies take pride in the quality of product/service they provide their customers. But providing high quality service is hardly enough to generate ongoing revenues. So, businesses have no choice but to communicate effectively the benefits of their product/service.
• Owners think they can't afford marketing. Unfortunately, they can't afford not to market. A lack of marketing leads to lack of exposure, lack of exposure leads to diminished competitive advantage, which in turn leads to slow sales. Companies have no choice, but to 'spread the word' about their goods and services.
• Owners lack the marketing strategies to grow their business. Some people are adept at playing golf, while others at making profitable real estate deals, and while others still, at devising strategies and tactics that put you in front of your target market. If a company lacks the marketing expertise needed for success, then, hire someone who is an expert in that area.

Here are four quick solutions to address those marketing challenges:

• Make marketing a priority
• Develop a marketing schedule and try, as best as possible, to stick to it
• Establish a budget; believe it or not, this will save you money in the long run
• Hire an expert, if need be, to help you execute your ideas

What You Need to Consider Before Having a Home Office
Guidelines for Success When Working From Home - ( By Lavinia Johnson Awosanya - July 2009 )

According to the Department of Labor, 9.4% of Americans were facing unemployment as of May 2009. As the economy struggles to find its footing, individuals who have fallen victim to the nation's instability are left weighing limited options. One of which is freelancing from home.

Recently, ABC's The View dedicated an entire episode to finding employment. The popular TV show invited a group of women who had been laid off and, like so many Americans, were facing serious financial crises and needed urgent help.

In an effort to get the ladies back on the track to employment success, the CEO of a recruitment services company was among three or more experts brought in to help revamp their resumes and expose them to alternate hiring channels. Working from home as a means to generate supplemental income is a legitimate strategy she encouraged they consider.

However, while working from home is a God-send for some, for others, it is potential failure in the making. In order to be successful, one must approach this opportunity with some care and a lot of planning. Whether a telecommuter or an entrepreneur, or even a stay-at-home mom with a part-time gig, being productive in the same space you eat, sleep and play is no easy feat.

Apart from the obvious need to be disciplined, how do you get others to respect the fact that you are indeed working and not merely surfing the net or posting pointless tweets. The following suggestions are certain to guide anyone looking to trade office bureaucracies and long commutes for a stab at limited to zero micro-managing and self-driven productivity.

• Think Long and Hard Before You Take the Leap What does this mean? First, you have to decide whether working from home is right for you, for your personality type, your work ethics or even your industry. Can you thrive in this environment? Some people are intrinsically motivated; they do not need a boss or co-worker to cheer them on. These 'employees' know what needs to be done and go about it with the same level of energy and enthusiasm as if they were getting a bonus for their results.
• Create a Distinct Work Space Establish an area or a room for your office. Equip it with the tools you need to operate successfully - i.e. separate business phone/fax, computer, copier, printer, office suppliers, such as paper, envelopes, filing cabinets, separate desk for another worker, etc.
• Keep Work and Home Tasks Separate No answering the home phone; no doing dishes; no sitting on the couch watching TV for 30 mins; and, no doing laundry during work. Basically, no doing of the things you do when you are at home.
• Keep a Clean Environment Keep your house clean, clutter-free and smelling fresh. This helps to maintain professionalism and avoid distraction. Let's see whether this scenario clarifies the point further. You are hosting a meeting at your (home) office; someone asks to use the bathroom, only to walk into a filthy unkempt lavatory. Result? Instant negative impression! Taking the extra step to keep a clean environment reinforces your professional credibility in spite of the fact that you operate from within your home.
• Keep a Start and End Time Start and end your workday at a specific time. I know that this is difficult for many 'solopreneurs'; but, it is an effective practice to adopt as often as possible. Achieving work/life balance in this setting can be a real challenge; but, the effort to maintain official work hours will only enhance productivity and job satisfaction.
• Keep your Family (and Friends) Away Another tall order! Obviously, one has to remain flexible in this regard. However, it is important for your family to know your work hours and expectations during those hours. If you have young children, hire a babysitter to watch them while at work or send them to daycare. Establishing ground rules is the key to success here.

Reference: http://www.dol.gov/

Lumberton Firm Instructs Businesses on How to Leverage Event Planning to Achieve Goals

A Seminar That Will Get Businesses, Nonprofit Organizations and Freelance Event Planners on the Right Track to Event Planning Success

Lumberton, NJ - In a two-hour workshop on March 5, South Jersey event planning and strategic marketing/PR firm, Event Mood, Corp., will educate businesses and nonprofits on how to harness event planning to achieve company objectives, including attracting new customers.

The seminar begins at 10:30 a.m. at the new Hilton Garden Inn facility located at 111 Hancock Lane, in Westampton, New Jersey.

"When done right, hosting an event can be a gem of a business development opportunity," says Lavinia Awosanya, Event Mood's president and seminar presenter. "It exposes companies to a broad audience, enhances name recognition and increases sales."

The session will cover:

• Planning: How to develop event strategies that reinforce a company's vision
• Execution: How to avoid the pitfall of a negative Return On Event Investment
• Marketing: How to attract customers and new prospects through smart marketing and publicity
• Evaluation: How to analyze how effectively the event met its goals and objectives

"Companies must adjust to the ever-changing business landscape; and, staying visible is essential to continued growth and success."

The seminar costs $50, $65 after February 24. Freelance event and meeting planners may also attend. Interested attendees should visit www.eventmood.com. To register or to find out more about this event, call Event Mood, Corp. at (609) 518-1259 or send an email to seminar@eventmood.com.

Located in Lumberton, NJ, Event Mood, Corp. is a professional marketing, public relations and event planning firm, that takes a strategic approach to planning, executing and successfully managing special events and projects. The company has helped brand and launch businesses, secured press and TV coverage for clients, as well as planned a variety of impressive events.

For more information about Event Mood, Corp., visit www.eventmood.com or call (609) 518-1259.

News of recent kayaking misadventure and deaths has one South Jersey event planning company slightly nervous

Lumberton, NJ, June 23, 2009 -- Event Mood, Corp., a public relations and event planning firm, hosts an annual Summer Kayak Adventure at the Pine Barrens. Slated for Saturday July 25, Lavinia Awosanya, organizer and Event Mood's president, is concerned that the recent kayaking-related tragedies will keep people away. "I was truly saddened to hear about the death of two brothers kayaking in Pennsylvania," says Awosanya. Howard Chew, co-owner of Mick's Pine Barrens Canoe and Kayak Rental in Chatsworth, New Jersey, has assured Awosanya her guests will be safe; he had the following safety tips to share:

• Always wear a life vest, regardless of age, experience or swimming expertise.
• Listen attentively to instructions given at launch site regarding how to enter and exit the kayak and how to navigate the river.
• To prevent tipping, never lean sideways while in kayak. Lean forward and backward.
• If you tip over, do not panic. Stay with your canoe or kayak and wait for help.
• Stay away from low hanging branches along the shoreline.

"We have an excellent safety record," says Chew. "Kayaking in the Pines is safe; it is flat-water and moves at a mere two miles per hour." Instructors train inexperienced kayakers before sending them out on the mostly knee- to waist-deep water.

The Summer Kayak Adventure by Event Mood is open to individuals and families. Children under 10 years old are encouraged to ride with an adult in a canoe. The excursion starts at 10am. Participants should pre-register; the deadline is July 18. For more information call (609) 518-1259, send an email to info@eventmood.com or visit the event page on Facebook.

Event Mood, Corp. is a public relations, marketing, and corporate event planning firm. The company takes a strategic approach to planning, managing and successfully executing special events such as conferences, conventions, expos, golf outings, fundraisers among other client-customized events. The New Jersey-based firm also develops marketing and publicity campaigns for small businesses and nonprofits. For more information, visit www.eventmood.com.

A "Mother's Day" Call for Award Nominations
Two Business Women Join Forces to Honor Mothers in an African Inspired Cruise Celebration

Lumberton, NJ., In his poem, "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle is the Hand that Rules the World", the late American poet William Ross Wallace, praised mothers for their role in shaping the hearts and minds of a future generation. Event Mood, Corp.—a New Jersey based Public Relations and Event Planning firm and Manstravel- a travel agency out of Connecticut- are collaborating once again to host the second annual SWEET MOTHER event on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. aboard the Cabana Boat in New York City. SWEET MOTHER, an African-inspired celebration, honors motherhood and the many accomplishments of women. At this event, guests are wined, dined and entertained as they cruise along the Hudson River enjoying New York's magnificent skyline.

"We are thrilled to incorporate an Awards component in this year's occasion," says Lavinia Awosanya, co-organizer and President of Event Mood, Corp. The awards categories are:

• Mother of the Year: "anyone can nominate their mother for this award, irrespective of age," says co-organizer and Manstravel President, Eugenia Chinsman,
• Community Advocate: this award goes to a civic-minded woman who has a demonstrated interest in her immediate or greater community
• Outstanding Business Woman: not to neglect women in business, this award recognizes the accomplishments of either an entrepreneur or business leader
• Woman of Distinction: this award honors a woman with exemplary integrity. One who promotes peace, sound family values and community engagement

Event organizers are taking nominations and reservations; call Event Mood, Corp. at (609) 518-1259 to get a copy of the nomination application or visit www.sweetmotherevent.com.

The deadline for all nominations is April 8. For questions, send an email to info@eventmood.com.

The winners will be announced on May 8; and, all nominees are encouraged to be present.

For more information or to be a sponsor for this event, call Lavinia Awosanya at (609) 518-1259 or Eugenia Chinsman at (203) 852-4300.

About Event Mood, Corp.

Event Mood, Corp. is a professional marketing, public relations and event planning firm that takes a strategic approach to planning, executing and successfully managing special events and projects. Event Mood has helped brand and launch businesses, achieved press and TV coverage for our clients, as well as planned a variety of high profile events.

About Manstravel Agency

Manstravel's is an eleven-year-old agency. Its niche market is selling African Safaris, Roots and Cultural Tours to West Africa, Destination Weddings and Honeymoons. Additionally, Manstravel sells all forms of travel, globally, including flights to Sierra Leone. The company also offers great cruise packages and works with virtually all the cruiselines.

To schedule an interview with Lavinia Awosanya or Eugenia Chinsman, call Event Mood, Corp. at (609) 518-1259 or send an email to Lavinia@eventmood.com.

Event Mood Press Release