Meet Kerri Clark | Event Planner & Designer

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

Hi Kerri, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I think work life balance is a myth. If you are thinking of it as spending and equal amount of time on both each day, that’s just not how my life works. The way I “balance” each differs from day to day. Up until about two months ago I worked a full time job as I created my business. I had to find time in my days whether that was during my lunch break or very early mornings and many late nights. Once I had children that became even more difficult. Now that I have left that job and have more free time I’m trying to figure out what feels balanced, but that changes day by day. If I end each day feeling fulfilled and accomplished, then I feel balanced. Do I end every day feeling that way? Nope, rarely in fact, but it’s trial and error for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
This all started because so many of my friends got married and had babies around the same time and somehow I ended up planning and organizing all events that go along with those milestones. I never really thought of it as a career until I started listening to podcasts about women who left a job they didn’t’ love and created a career out of something they did. So I figured I might as well try.

I think my biggest challenge has been overcoming my perfectionism and imposter syndrome. I don’t know that I have or ever will fully overcome those things. It’s a daily challenge. I am constantly comparing myself to other people. It’s not intentional, it just happens. It’s taken a lot of listening to other professionals, reading and talking it out to be able to have just enough confidence to maintain a business and continue to grow and learn. A couple quotes I keep top of mind are “Comparison is the thief of joy” and “Done is better than perfect”. I just keep going and everyday I feel more capable and more deserving.

When working with couples or clients my main goal is to execute their ideal vision. For example, I wan to plan a wedding that fully expresses who that couple is. I’m not concerned with “the right way to do things”. I want it to be done their way. Whether that means it is super traditional or completely off the wall, never been done, I’m here for it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think that would depend on the time of year they decided to visit. For these purposes let’s just say it’s springtime! We’d hit the festivals of course! Festival International downtown has SO MUCH to offer. Food, music, shops, dancing, you name it. For a more low key day maybe we’d drive out to Rip Van Winkle Gardens, have lunch at the café and just enjoy the scenery. Then maybe I’d take them on a swamp tour because I’ve never been! And of course we’d have to have a crawfish boil complete with Abita Strawberry beer and for dessert…a Keller’s King Cake.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh gosh, so many people! From friends and family sharing things I post on social media to them actually helping me in a pinch on the day of the event. From my parents helping with the kids to my husband building custom decor when a bride can’t find exactly what she wants.

I’ve also somehow managed to find people within the industry that have been so gracious with their knowledge and giving with their time. Other planners, photographers, florists…I have learned so much from them. There is no way I would’ve been able to grow my business without their guidance and now friendship.

Website: http://threauxevents.com/

Instagram: @threauxevents

Facebook: Threaux Event Coordination & Design

Image Credits
DK Hebert Media JKS Photography Hannah Herpin Creative The Rylands Photo Co.