It’s not often that you expect to be so aligned in the manifestation of your dreams.
When I wrote the website content for The Cre8tive Network, and chose the words:
I didn’t anticipate the literal translation potential. You can imagine my surprise when I got the phone call on November 22, 2024 requesting emergency holiday Fairy Godmother support!
After being briefed on what was needed:
- Seeking: Someone who could swoop in, coordinate, and bring to life 3 weeks of holiday themed events
- Quest Details to Complete: 3x- Disney themed Children’s Christmas Party & 3x – High-Tea Service
- # of Side-Questers: approx. 50 per each event
- Location: 1920’s Historic Venue, in a Second Floor space with no elevator, no storage, and no hot water.
- Curveball: Nothing has been planned and the first event is in 11 days…
Mission accepted.
Bold? Yes. Risky? Yep. What you’ve literally been working for…100%.
*cue Shania Twain*
So I got to work.
This was a shining example of the power of one’s Network. I sent a pulse out to the web of humans who I knew could/would support me if able and then tossed out a buoy into the digital-web for any “Disney-connected peeps” or “tea experts”.
And boy – did those networks show up. Within a few days I had had conversations and been connected with a brigade of humans who were ready and willing to step up and help make these events happen. In the span of 6 days I pulled enough strings together (and called in a few well-earned favours) to make – literal- magic happen.
- I had put together a Disney-inspired Christmas extravaganza with appearances by Elsa, Woody, and Mickey Mouse. Including themed craft, holiday cookie decorating kits, and an on-brand Disney Christmas themed kid-friendly buffet. (Oh – I also planned to dress up dress up as the Fairy Godmother hostess)
- I had curated a high tea experience with all secondhand or borrowed tea wares, featuring an Indigenous tea brand and a new local restaurant, live music, and custom-printed tea coasters/ornaments for each guest to paint during the afternoon.
By the following Friday AM, I was wheels up, ready to hit the ground running when I landed in Edmonton.
And run we did.
From the minute my partner-in-crime (and the one responsible for inviting me into this holiday madness), Jessie picked me up we were balls-to-the-wall with to-do list tasks:
- Pick up all borrowed tea ware
- Audit said items and create list of outstanding items
- Thrift all said outstanding items
- Create centerpieces
- Pick up crafts and cookies,
- Get tea
- Find Disney-themed decorations
- …
Just a small feat.
Weekend 1 – I somehow* managed to get all of the ducks (and believe you me when I tell you there were soooo mannnyy ducksss) in a row. I was ready. I mean…ready enough as I could be!
*somehow = intense effort, collaborative approach, and cre8tive planning
There were many many obstacles faced that weekend: Elsa in a car accident on the way to the event; no water for tea service THEN blew a breaker trying to keep hot water hot for tea service; just to name a few.
BUT we prevailed.
Weeks 2 and 3 were an intense blur of planning iterations, demanding travel back-and-forth, and in-person hosting each event Saturday/Sunday. Each event bringing its own unique hiccups and challenges (thankfully none as dramatic as the first week). By the time the market wrapped up, I was too burnt out to marvel at what had been accomplished and to celebrate the success of what I did.
Turns out a year later, I can! (P.S. It’s NEVER too late to celebrate a success.)
This whole experience could not have been possible without my network.
One of the lessons I have learned over and over again as I have navigated my professional career, is how important the people in your circle are.
Through the power of my network, and the ripples of each of their circles, within 11 days, I was able to make the seemingly impossible happen.
- Through LinkedIn posts, where comments, tags, and shares led me to “tea aficionados” who helped inform me of High Tea protocols.
- City advisors who were able to connect me with one of their favourite sustainable and socially responsible catering company who, in the midst of the full holiday season swing, were able to help me plan 3 weeks of buffets with on-theme treats such as Moana Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders and Ariel Sea Shell Pasta Salad.
- Clients-turned-friends who I called with a “I need your business now” to help me hand-craft and create over 500+ custom engraved holiday ornament crafts.
- Friends-turned-clients who, after only 2 months into their new restaurant opening, stepped up to the plate to curate 3 weeks of high-tea inspired menus.
- (Neither last nor least) The incredible humans I was able to call on and who, on a dime, turned up for me – everyone who lent me family tea sets, those who thrifted alongside me as I shopped in a mad frenzy, and each of you who stood by my side and poured hundreds of pots of tea over the course of 3 weeks.
This – literally – would not have been possible without you.
So though, from this story share perspective I have claimed the success as mine (owning my right to brag about big accomplishments) – I humbly and GRATEFULLY acknowledge everyone that powered and supported me through it all.
Sending a big “you got this” to the whole X-Mas market team this year. I know, in these final production days before the show goes on, it can be tough. But I see you, you got this, and I can’t wait to experience the magic that you have in store for all of us this year.
