“The program definitely gave me the tools to have the confidence and wisdom to consider the cost of goods and services and labor when determining my price point,” Ms. Ferguson tells us. “I also have learned how to study and consider my competition.”

With over 40 years of party planning experience, Ms. Ferguson came to the class highly motivated and with a vision. She has been able to reimagine her start-up business to respond to social distancing requirements while still celebrating life’s blessings. Through her innovative efforts, she has been able to virtually launch and grow her business through deliveries for special occasions, online celebrations, and other strategies.

“I began to deliver items to my customers as opposed to them coming outside. This made it more convenient to celebrate holidays and special occasions and to have gifts sent to their family and friends. I hosted a virtual Zoom graduation party for my niece's 8th grade graduation. I also hosted an 8th grade drive-by graduation party.”
As an essential healthcare worker, Ms. Ferguson has a unique perspective when it comes to putting safeguards in place to protect her customers.

“As opposed to my full time job as a hospital pharmacist in Atlantic City, my business, Passion Driven Parties. is on a mission to purposely make people happy in the midst of so much uncertainty and turmoil,” Ms. Ferguson explains. “While it is very stressful at work dealing with helping people get better from their various sicknesses, it helps me to know that my business practices not only help to keep people safe but also help to make them happy and try to have some sense of normalcy during these unprecedented times.”
 

Ms. Ferguson, owner and operator of Passion Driven Parties LLC, a full-service event planning business, can be contacted at www.passiondrivenparties.com, and on Instagram and Facebook at Passion Driven Parties.

Interested in applying for LAEDA’s upcoming virtual business training course? Click here to apply now!