The Unstoppable Eventrepreneur™

“Every client thinks that they’re the most important client. Their event is the most important. Nothing else matters. This is their perspective, and you need to respect their perspective because they’re spending good money,” says May Yeo Silvers. In this episode, she discusses the critical role of communication in the event planning industry, focusing on how professionals can navigate client inter...

“It is your job to educate your client on the specific expectations for the on-site coordinator and the tasks they need to perform on that day,” says May Yeo Silvers. In this episode, she points out the importance of clearly communicating the role of an on-site coordinator to clients, especially when they assume friends, family, or venue staff can handle these responsibilities. May underscores tha...

“You need to understand, from a planner’s perspective, what fees will remain unchanged, even if the number of attendees fluctuates, unless there’s a significant increase in your workload,” says May Yeo Silvers. In this episode, she addresses a common dilemma for event planners: whether to reduce fees when a client’s guest count changes. Drawing on her experience, May explains that while tangible c...

“As a business owner, if you don’t work, you don’t make money. So you have to be extremely disciplined when it comes to cash flow,” says May Yeo Silvers. In this episode, she shares a personal story about her recent health scare, highlighting the critical need for both self-care and careful financial management.    May emphasizes that, while it’s easy to focus on booking events and generating reve...

When most people think of running a business, they imagine making lots of money, traveling the world, and working less. May Yeo Silvers calls this the CEO mindset. While this lifestyle is achievable, it requires a lot of groundwork. In this episode replay, she explains the difference between a CEO mindset and an employee mindset.   May points out that letting go of the employee mindset is the firs...

“Every time your client has to pay for one thing, it means they will have less money to pay for another thing. And that other thing could be you,” says May Yeo Silvers, as she explores the impact of room rental fees on overall event budgets. She emphasizes that event planners need to understand the broader financial picture, as every expense—whether it’s decor, catering, or venue rental—affects wh...

“It’s not just the money—your reputation is on the line. That’s why I say you need to learn this skill. And once you learn it, your clients and your vendors will love you,” says May Yeo Silvers. This week, May underscores a vital skill for event professionals: mastering the logistics of setup time. She explains that success hinges on knowing how much time vendors need and ensuring that venues are...

“I spent over $100,000 on business mentors who helped me build my business, improve my wealth awareness, and taught me how to sell. I also worked with mentors who helped me understand the programming from my childhood to adulthood, and how I could change that programming. This shift in my belief system improved my relationships with my family, clients, vendors, and many other areas of my life,” sh...

“Being on a preferred vendor list doesn’t guarantee you business. In fact, sometimes it can cost you more than not being on the list at all,” says May Yeo Silvers. This week, May explores the advantages and potential pitfalls of preferred vendor lists within the event planning industry. She explains that these lists help streamline the planning process for clients by offering a curated selection o...

“Statistics show that growing a business is much easier and more profitable when the majority of your clients are repeat customers rather than constantly chasing new ones,” explains May Yeo Silvers. This week, she highlights the vital role that cultivating repeat clients plays in building a sustainable and successful event planning business. May shares insights from her own company, M2 Hospitality...

“I can totally relate to this because I feel that pain in my own business, even though we have a successful business. It can plateau, or it can decline in terms of growth. I have to do some soul-searching and a lot of auditing to understand why my business is not growing as fast as I want it to,” shares May Yeo Silvers.    Entrepreneurs need to invest time and energy in critical analysis of your m...

“How much revenue my business generates means nothing to me in reality. What I care about is the profit,” shares May Yeo Silvers. This week, May delves into the essential strategies and mindset shifts needed to grow an event planning business from four-figure to six-figure profits. Drawing from her extensive experience in the events industry, May emphasizes focusing on profit over revenue, describ...

“For me, the real wealth in starting a business lies in time flexibility and autonomy,” shares May Yeo Silvers. In this episode, she delves into how true wealth encompasses more than just financial success; it includes personal freedom and time flexibility. She recounts her journey, particularly a significant year when her business flourished financially but at the expense of her well-being, promp...

“If you think that you can grow a business just by cruising along or believing what some other entrepreneurs are saying—that it only takes very little time, very little effort, and very little money to start, grow, and sustain a business—I’m here to shake you with some tough love: some of it is true, and some of it is totally false,” says May Yeo Silvers. In this episode, she dives into common exc...

How much experience is necessary to start an event planning business? In this episode, May Yeo Silvers tackles this frequently asked question, emphasizing that the quality and diversity of experiences matter more than the number of years in the industry. She explains that many event planners begin by organizing events for friends and family, often turning a hobby into a business despite initial do...

“This is fundamental for any business’s success. Unfortunately, it’s something that many entrepreneurs overlook,” begins May Yeo Silvers as she delves into the three-step process for ensuring business success, especially for those in the event planning industry. Clarity - belief - action: these 3 steps are interconnected and neglecting any part of this sequence can lead to struggles and hinder bus...

Are you making one of these three common mistakes that could sabotage your business? In this episode, May Yeo Silvers explores three major pitfalls that can tank an event planning business, sharing personal examples and valuable insights for each. Although her advice is tailored for event planners, designers, and decorators, the business fundamentals she discusses apply to any service-oriented bus...

"If you want to attract high-end buyers, you need to constantly work on these three factors: your energy, the trust, and also your level of experience," says May Yeo Silvers. In this episode, May delves into the psychology of high-end clients in the event planning industry. She discusses how the decision-making processes of these clients differ from those of more price-conscious shoppers, and she...

"In terms of the quality of the lead, whether it’s from friends, family, or a stranger, it’s the same, in my opinion. As long as you conduct yourself professionally, you should treat your friends and family just as you would a total stranger who is interested in your business or service," says May Yeo Silvers.   In this episode, May addresses a key issue for new event planners: valuing leads from...

Are your inquiry forms properly qualifying leads for your event planning business? In this episode, May Yeo Silvers addresses how to refine your initial inquiry forms to focus your time and energy on prospects who are right for your business.   May highlights a common mistake many event planners make: overly detailed inquiry forms that can discourage potential clients before even determining if th...

Are you effectively showcasing the value of your event planning services to clients? In this episode, May Yeo Silvers teaches listeners how to articulate the worth of services that aren’t immediately tangible. Drawing from her extensive experience charging between $15,000 and $100,000, May shares how she justifies her fees through transparency and detailed communication.   May emphasizes the impor...

“The commitment and energy that you give to your full-time job, you have to give to your side hustle,” says May Yeo Silvers. In this episode, May provides actionable insights for transitioning from a side hustle to a full-time events business.   May emphasizes the importance of financial preparation, advising that your side hustle income should match or exceed your full-time paycheck for six month...

Are you struggling with balancing business growth and family responsibilities? In this episode, May Yeo Silvers addresses this common challenge for entrepreneurs, especially in the event planning industry.   May shares a personal story about a recent event she planned in Atlanta, which required her to be away from her family for several days. She talks about the detailed planning and coordination...

“It's okay to use stock photos,” says May Yeo Silvers, but you must be cautious about representing your work and your skills honestly.  May dives into the ethical use of stock images in event planning, sparked by an experience with a florist whose misleading Instagram portfolio led to a corporate event that didn't meet expectations. This story underscores the risks of misrepresentation prevalent i...

“If you have to justify your fees, you’re doing it all wrong,” says May Yeo Silvers. In this episode, May addresses a common mistake event professionals make: over-justifying their fees based on the time and effort they put into planning and execution. She suggests shifting the conversation from costs to the value and outcomes of the event, which more closely aligns with buyer psychology.   May em...