Meet Sara Heald | Curator of Unique and Creative Experiences / Helping Event Planners, Nonprofits, and Individuals Shine Through Successful Event Management

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sara Heald and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
When I was just out of college, I seemed to have endless amounts of time for myself. As the years have past and I’ve become a wife, mother, and business owner, that time for myself has become less and less. To maintain balance, I schedule as much as I can on my calendar and reserve time for myself, spouse, children, and friends as meetings. I also find that moving my body is incredibly important to my productivity and balance so I exercise when I can. I’ve learned to be better at asking for what I need from those that care about me, and they are often willing to lend a hand to help me manage my time and balance better.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Using my experience, problem solving skills, and curiosity about the world, I help people that are planning meetings and events create unique experiences that their guests will remember while fulfilling the purposes and goals planners have.

After 17 years in the event and hospitality industry, I wanted to be able to support my clients without the constraints of a job description. I also wanted to form relationships with my clients, colleagues, and partners on my own terms, without the invisible walls sometimes built by well-meaning employers.

⭐️ Accomplished and certified professional with a diverse background in project management, event and destination management, hotel site selection & festival direction spanning a career of over 17 years!
⭐️ Consistently recognized for achievement in performance, winning National NACE ONE award for event design and execution in summer 2019, The Keep Houston Beautiful Mayor’s Proud Partner Award on behalf of Earth Day Houston in 2015, and several other honorable designations on behalf of clients.
⭐️ Enneagram 6 “The Loyalist”

Here is whom I love to help:

📌Corporate Meeting Planners: Let me help you mitigate risk, leverage costs, and plan fantastic experiences that meet your budgets, satisfy your company’s goals, and offer opportunities for enjoyment to your employees.

📌Non-Profits: Add me to your fundraising event teams for strategic planning, donor data management, and attendee fun! I love sharing my gifts to help those working to make the world a better place.

📌Grown Ups: If you’re looking to host an event for a special occasion and need help coming up with an original theme, finding the best local partners, or managing vendors during the event, I’m you’re gal!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week in Houston would need to include:

a walk along Buffalo Bayou Park with views of the Houston skyline and through the Montrose Area with brunch at Empire Cafe

massages at the recently renovated Trellis Spa at the Houstonian followed by a nap in their quiet room while wearing a warm neck pillow

Brewery Bus Tour of Houston best craft beers. I love Karbach, Saint Arnold, and Buffalo Bayou Brewery for their atmosphere and views of the city as well as the drinks and food

Day trip to Brenham, Texas to visit the Antique Rose Farm with lunch at the original Truth BBQ

Day trip to Galveston to walk on the beach, feel the salty breeze, and eat charbroiled oysters at Benno’s

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I celebrated a milestone birthday this year and started my own business in the previous year. I enjoy spending time reflecting on all the people that have influenced me to get where I am today. In particular, my path has been influenced by other female entrepreneurs that have shown me the beauty in building a space for yourself where feminine attributes can be an advantage, particularly when they are partnered with ambition, goal-setting, and courage. Recently, I have benefitted greatly from the perspectives and encouragement from April Roberts (Roberts Wealth Management,) Martha Beaudry (Boulevard Realty,) Monica Garcia (Make Space to Live Home Editing,) and Emily Cisek (The Postage.)

Website: www.sarainthecityevents.com

Instagram: @sarainthecityevents

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarainthecity/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraintheCityEvents

Image Credits
Bryan Anderson Photo took the vertical photo of me in the jacket and the one in the coffee shop. I did purchase the rights to the photos from him, but if you’d like to credit him, I do not mind