Business plan earns Angelo Events & Tents top prize
Posted: 2009-03-31 06:14:24
The hard work and months of preparation were all worth it for Laura Wall in coming up with the perfect pitch for her business, Angelo Events & Tents.
The Concho Valley Center for Entrepreneurial Development awarded the special events planning business last week with the top prize in Enterprise San Angelo, the sixth annual San Angelo business plan competition.
"Overwhelming," is what Wall described the feeling right after winning the prestigious award. "It's kind of like graduation, something you've worked and worked on. When the day finally comes you are left wowed. I've been aiming toward this, I've been working hard, and then all of a sudden it happened."
Wall had been working toward the competition since fall and experienced one of the busiest times of the year for her business while she was concentrating on Enterprise San Angelo.
"You're trying to prove to a panel that may or may not have any familiarity with your type of business and prove that your business is viable, that it works, that you understand it, and that you are promoting it from every angle," Wall said. "The biggest challenge was running this (her business) from day to day while turning around and writing the paper of my life."
Donna Osborne, executive director for CVCED, presented the award.
The top prize consists of a $15,000 cash grant from the San Angelo Development Corporation, plus over $3,400 of in-kind prizes including $2,000 accounting services from Oliver, Rainey & Wojtek; $500 free advertising from the San Angelo Standard-Times; $500 matched-purchase advertising from Four R Broadcasting; a $250 gift certificate from Bill Neil Specialty Advertising; and a $150 services gift certificate plus 1,000 business cards from The Sign Shop.
Other finalists for the competition were Empowerment Concepts, LLC and Haigood Design Company. Neither business went away empty-handed: They received prizes that would be beneficial to their establishments.
Another reward for the three finalists was feedback from the panel of judges. They got helpful advice, tips and learned a few things to improve on in order to expand their businesses, Osborne said.
"They're getting access to people that have been in business or people like Pat Malloy, who knows what investors are looking for," Osborne said. "These are people they don't have access to, usually."
Judges for the competition were Don Allison, retired entrepreneur; LeAnne Byrd, provost for Howard College; Dr. Mark Crouch, associate professor of computer science with Angelo State University; Pat Malloy, vice president of economic development for the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce; Alvin New, retired business executive, and Albert Rodriquez, loan officer for the Concho Valley Council of Government.
Malloy has been bringing his economic expertise to the table for all the competition's six years of existence. "What I'm looking for is the viability of the business plan, how likely it is that that business will be able to start or expand," Malloy said on judging for the winning business.
"The first thing we look at is how much thought went into the business, not only for the immediate future but for the long term. Secondly, I always look at it from an economic development standpoint, too: Are there jobs going to be created? Is the money coming from outside the area going into these businesses? That's always important," Malloy said.
For the competition, the CVCED encourages applications from local entrepreneurs who have the potential to build new ventures or expand existing small business. Nine applications were received for contention, and from there the pool was reduced to six. The six semi-finalists wrote a draft business plans presented to the judging panel, which then critiqued the drafts and selected the three finalists.
Wall looks to expand Angelo Events & Tents by creating more jobs to keep up with the growing demand of her business. She also plans on using the prize money to build her inventory and upgrade her company's technology to make her business run smoother.
Past winners of the competition include Angelo Kidney Connection, Hands of Grace, Gold Star Medical Business Services and Gisselle's Raw Furniture.
Winner Announced for 6th Annual Business Plan Competition
Posted: 2009-03-26 21:36:34
Angelo Events & Tents is proud to announce it was selected as the winner of the Concho Valley Center for Entreprenuerial Development Center's Enterprise San Angelo business plan competition.
See video of the KLST Channel 5's interview with owner, Laura Wall.
Interview with Mitch Matthews, Big Dream Gathering Creator
Posted: 2009-03-03 22:08:46
The Big Dream Gathering is about to happen in San Angelo. What is a Big Dream Gathering you might ask? (I asked the same thing too.) It is a bunch of people coming together to share their dream for a new job, a new business, a new idea, in a place where they can find resources to make it happen. It is dreaming meets networking.
In conjuction with this event, the creator of the Big Dream Gathering, Mitch Matthews interviewed Laura Wall about the pursuit of her own "big dream"...starting her own business - Angelo Events & Tents.
Click here to hear the podcast interview and read more details about Big Dream Gathering.
Small Business Development Center honors AE&T
Posted: 2009-02-03 10:56:19
Angelo Events & Tents is proud to be featured as a "Success Story" in the Small Business Development Center's (SBDC) 2009 report.
Local Briefs
Posted: 2009-01-30 21:11:32
Sunday, January 18, 2009, San Angelo Standard-Times
Angelo Events & Tents, 2200 W. Beauregard Ave., will provide the tents for the homecoming welcoming celebration for President George W. Bush and family in Midland on Tuesday.
The business was selected by event coordinators Loud and Clear Inc. of Cincinnati.
Angelo Events & Tents is owned by John and Laura Wall.
Event Helps Connect Women Entrepeneurs
Posted: 2009-01-30 21:06:44
By Jayna Boyle (Contact)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
It was no coincidence that several of the women at the 10th annual Women's Roundtable Event on Tuesday night wore polka dots.
They were promoting the event's theme, "Making Connections," with the idea that the program will help women "connect the dots" of entrepreneurship.
The roundtable event is a way for women who own businesses and those who aspire to become business owners to get together and talk, said Grace Garcia, training coordinator for Angelo State University's Small Business Development Center - the organization hosting the event.
"Women, more than men, share stories, strategies and challenges," Garcia said.
The roundtable event started 10 years ago with about 30 women and about six vendors in a board room at San Angelo National Bank. This year's event had about 90 women and 16 vendors - all from female-operated businesses - and was held at the LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center.
Keynote speaker Pamela Venable said the most enduring lesson she has learned through her business experience is to identify what she is good at and what she's not good at and find people to help her with her weaker areas.
"I would encourage any women thinking of starting a business to create a network and find people to help them in the areas they are not strong in," Venable said.
Venable is the firm administrator for accountants Armstrong, Backus & Co. LLP in San Angelo, she operates her own part-time jewelry business from home, and she helps her husband manage an agriculture and an oil field business. She also teaches business communications courses at ASU.
She said men and women have different reasons for owning their own businesses. While men are more likely to do research and identify business opportunities, women are more likely to go for something that they enjoy and something that allows them to have time flexibility.
Venable said women are usually more likely to choose a type of business in which they are responsible for most of the skilled expertise and operations, while men are more likely to hire other people to help complete tasks.
Laura Wall, owner of the recently founded Angelo Events and Tents, said she attended last year's Roundtable Event as an aspiring entrepreneur and found the featured speakers inspiring. She said she was proud to be part of the event this year as a woman business owner.
"Now, in this job, I see all the other skills I've learned over time at other jobs," Wall said. "It's been the hardest job I've ever loved."
How Grooms Can Help
Posted: 2009-01-18 18:40:05
by ANGELA E. SHAFFER, Bridal Guide to San Angelo Standard-Times
Though the majority of wedding planning is traditionally the bride-to-be’s role, today’s relationship dynamics often demand the groom take just as much part in the planning process as his future bride. Because women are often socially groomed to be the sole wedding-day planner, men may feel lost when it comes to voicing their opinions or putting the requisite time in. How can grooms not only step up to the task, but do so with as much grace as their lovely brides? Ask questions. There are a number of resources for grooms working to plan a wedding including family, friends, websites, and professional wedding planners. One website, www.groomsonline.com, offers men information on budgeting, music, bridesmaid/groomsmen gifts, and information on a whole host of other wedding day concerns. But the best advice comes from someone with organizational experience. San Angelo wedding planner Valarie Garcia says the best advice she can give to groom is to simply get help. “Women typically put in anywhere from 200 to 250 hours planning a wedding over the course of a year,” she said. “It’s hardly fair to put all of that burden on her shoulders when she’s probably also got a job and family responsibilities to take care of.” Garcia says that whether it’s by asking his mother or hiring a professional, grooms should take the advice of those with experience to ensure not only his and his bride’s mutual satisfaction, but also their sanity. “When a man helps a woman plan their wedding, he’s not just making her happy, but he’s helping to make sure that arguments are avoided,” she said. “Not only should he take an active role, but he should ask her what her needs are as well.” Garcia advises men to listen to their future brides. If a bride wants her groom to stay out of the way, he should do so, but offer a loving, kind, and most importantly a patient ear. “If all else fails, listen,” she said. “Knowing she has a supportive shoulder to lean on is one of a groom’s most important roles.” Men should always remember that the planning of a wedding is an incredibly stressful time for everyone involved. Counselor Michael Flanigan says that women feel the highest amount of stress during an engagement when the pressure of expectations builds to a breaking point. “There’s so much pressure on young ladies to create an occasion that is perfect, not only for her, but for her future husband, family members, and friends,” he said. “When she feels too much pressure, she might throw her hands up and give up altogether. The man must step in to do his share.” Owner of Angelo Events and Tents Laura Wall says that men must keep one important factor in mind during the planning stages of an engagement. “The crazed woman who’s planning the wedding is not the woman you’re marrying – she’s under tremendous pressure,” she said. “Remember, though, that this too shall pass.” [NOTE: Valarie Garcia is a wedding planner for Angelo Events & Tents and can be reached at valarie@eventsandtents.net ]
Lighting a Key Element
Posted: 2009-01-18 18:38:00
by ANGELA E. SHAFFER, Bridal Guide to San Angelo Standard-Times
Lighting is not something most people think of as an important aspect of a wedding’s atmosphere or the reception to follow, but it can really make or break the event. If a wedding reception’s lighting is stagnant and single-purposed, your guests, and more importantly you, may not be inspired to fully enjoy the occasion. So how do you make sure your special day sparkles as much as you will? Laura Wall, owner of Angelo Events and Tents, says that lighting is one of the most important aspects of a successful wedding and reception. Offering a variety of lighting options, she knows that couples often not only want to recreate what they see in magazines and on television, but to keep within a reasonable budget too. “People often have a very definite idea about what they want as far as lighting goes,” she said. “But there are so many economic and interesting devices to help make your special day perfect.”
Many of the options Wall has available are anything but boring. From spotlights that subtly highlight centerpieces to crazy multi-colored waterfalls that inspire dancing, almost any color and any effect are available.
Wall recommends that in order to personalize your wedding, you should consider what thematic elements you want to incorporate. Do you want people to dance the night away, or is a quiet and reflective dinner more your speed? “A large space with bright lights can really ruin a special occasion, so thinking about what kinds of lighting you want is really important,” Wall said. “Moving lights in multiple colors really helps to get people onto the dance floor, whereas dim lighting can encourage relaxation and conversation.” One of the most interesting effects is the cascading or waterfall effect. The device has the capacity to project a water-like effect on the wall in a single or multi-color scheme. Wall cautions couples, however, to be careful when pairing lighting devices and colors with the desired effect. Working closely with a field professional ensures a fantastic finished project. “Weddings really are like plays,” she said. “You need a good director, and getting professional guidance with your lighting choices is just one aspect of ensuring your wedding goes off without a hitch.” One of the most popular lighting choices that couples can choose from is an array of personalized monograms that can be projected from an ellipsoidal projector onto nearly any surface. Wall says that monogramming offers couples an inexpensive way to jazz up their wedding reception and highlight their union. The monograms cost as low as $165 for a stock choice with a single color light projection, but Wall assures people that there really is no limitation to the design or color a couple can choose. “The sky’s the limit with the ellipsoidal projector,” she said. “We can custom create a complex monogram with multiple colors, or we can offer something as simple as the couple’s initials projected onto a dance floor in whatever color or colors they choose.” For couples who prefer a quiet dinner reception, Wall says they should consider utilizing hanging lanterns and Japanese-style umbrellas, backlighting, and even candlelight. Several simple candles floating in a centerpiece can create a relaxing and romantic atmosphere for the wedding couple and their guests. Ultimately, the best advice Wall has for couples is to begin the decision-making process early.
“The earlier you begin, the earlier you’ll have your wedding planned, and the less stress you’ll feel overall,” she said. “The most rewarding aspect is to see the couple’s reaction when they see the completed effect that they helped to produce.”
Art of Crafting Events
Posted: 2008-07-20 23:17:48
By BECCA NELSON, Special to the San Angelo Standard-Times
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever."
The simple sign displayed near the entrance of Angelo Events & Tents' showroom seems to explain why Laura and John Wall started their party and wedding rental business.
"When I first got started, I was telling my husband regardless of what we put in our inventory and regardless of who the client is, everybody loves pretty," Wall said. "They love to look at it; they love to be around it. That needs to be our focus when we create something - even if it's a basic store, it needs to look nice."
The Wall family moved to San Angelo from Austin two years ago. At Laura Wall's request, her parents recently followed suit to help her with the business. Angelo Events & Tents, located at the former M.L. Leddy's site in the Village Shopping Center, celebrated its grand opening earlier this month.
Standard-Times: How did you get into the event planning business?
Laura Wall: It seems like something that I have always done.
In my past jobs, it seems like it's always been a function of my job.
Have you ever been a business owner before you opened Angelo Events & Tents?
No. I've had business ideas. I've had things I've developed and researched. With this one, I put a lot of time and effort into writing a business plan and thoroughly researching it. It just seemed more like a natural fit with my interest and set of skills.
Why did you open a business here instead of in Austin?
We moved to San Angelo because we love the West Texas people. It just seemed like such a peaceful place to be. It seemed like a much better fit for us.
Once we were here, we looked at buying a similar business and instead decided to start our own.
What's the response to your business been like so far?
Unbelievable. I knew this was a word-of-mouth town, and I knew I was in a word-of-mouth industry, but so far we've been very well received, and it seems like every day I have a new person that comes to the store who has been referred by someone or has seen one of the events that we've done. I've had total strangers tell me, "We're so glad you're here. San Angelo needed something like this."
What's it like working with your family?
You've gotta start with a great family, and I have one. I could not have opened the store without my parents' help, my parents' support.
Then of course, there's my husband, who has always been supportive of any venture I was interested in, and even more so with this one.
He believes I can do anything, and it's nice to have that unconditional support.
What has been your most popular product or service so far?
My clients are more surprised by the lighting. Custom lighting is something that has not been offered to them before. When you're putting an event together or a wedding, lighting has the power to change the feel of a room. It can make it feel festive, dramatic or romantic. It adds a lot of ambiance, and it puts a fresh face on a well-known space.
The clients also like the full-event production services. Most traditional rental stores just offer rental products, (with) pickup or delivery. It seems that in San Angelo, people are looking for an extra level of service. They want to have someone understand their event needs and to collaborate with them to come up with a unique idea and execute it for them.
What is important about the services your business offers?
(With our help) the clients can be a host or hostess of their party; they can relax, focus on their guests and not worry about supervising the catering or design elements - there's someone behind the scenes helping make sure all those things get taken care of.
What are your goals for the shop?
No. 1, we would like to develop our inventory so we can handle a dinner party or a wedding party for 50 to 300. We want to make sure we have a variety of new and exciting products as well as basic products.
Another goal is to build our staff in terms of numbers and their knowledge. I plan to continue to put a lot time into my staff to make sure they're knowledgeable about trends and how to use our rental products.
What's the size of your staff?
I have a staff of seven. I have a larger on-call staff in case we need to produce a bigger event or if we have a really tight timeline.
Are you still planning to bring a wedding planner on board?
I am planning on bringing a wedding consultant on board specifically to assist brides with the wedding planning decisions because there are so many decisions to be made by brides.
How often do you add to your inventory?
I would say we're adding to our inventory on a weekly basis, especially our linen inventory. We have to let people have more options than just a basic white or beige table cloth.
What's been the biggest challenge so far?
I've heard friends in business talk about the many hats you have to wear as a business owner, and it seemed like a cliche at the time, but it's very true. As a business owner, you have to be able to shift gears quickly, prioritize hourly, and you have to know your strengths and weaknesses. It's really trying to balance all those roles as well as trying to figure out what is the most important thing I can do for my business today that is going to push it forward.
What's the most rewarding aspect of your job?
My favorite part is getting to see my client's face when they see our collaborative vision come to fruition. When they walk in the room to their party or reception and their face lights up, they just love it and are so happy. I have a great satisfaction from that.
The Angelo Events & Tents File
- What: Party and wedding rental, tent rentals, event planning services.
- Where: 2200 W. Beauregard Ave.
- When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
- Contact: (325) 716-4112, eventsandtents.net.
Designed by Relative Marketing. Hosted by WAC Tech.