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

Hi Anna, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Ever since I could remember, I was always planning parties, get-togethers, vacations, dinners – you name it. I absolutely loved the concept of researching and organizing a special moment for my friends and family.

Fast forward to college where I studied Business with a focus on sports management & hospitality. Throughout college, I interned for my school’s athletics marketing internship, where I managed multiple ticketed sporting events and got my first official experience of the event planning world! I was hooked!

Upon graduating college, I was very fortunate to get an amazing corporate career which included traveling the world working & managing global sporting events, entertainment galas & hospitality programs. I was living my dream life & job- visiting new countries, meeting amazing people and creating memories through live event experiences… what could be better.

I was taught at a young age the “right” and successful path was to go to college, get a degree, work a corporate job, and climb that corporate ladder.

And that’s exactly what I did.

But somewhere along the way, I had this voice in my head telling me that I was meant for more. I was meant to create a greater impact on the world. And that’s when I started dreaming up the idea of owning my own boutique event company curating transformational experiences for change-makers and visionaries. I never quite believed that I was someone who could make that dream a reality until I experienced my 3rd burnout in my corporate career. This time I knew something had to change.

It was then that I decided to take the leap of faith (after a lot of guidance by my mentors and coaches) and go all in on my dream! It was important to me to build a business that was routed in community and connection but also curated an “elevated” experience. And that is how ‘The Elevated Collective’ was born!

What should our readers know about your business?
Entrepreneurship is a journey of many ups & downs, twists & turns– but I think that is what makes it such an adventure! And I wouldn’t trade it for anything! To be honest, my business did not start out as an event business right from the beginning. Juggling the corporate day job and the “side hustle” for a few years was a huge learning opportunity. And during that period, I had many variations of what my business was; from being an online business manager (OBM) to a branding & graphics business and ultimately the event company that we have today! I am so grateful to have gone through the different variations of this business because it taught me vital business & life skills, connected me with so many other amazing entrepreneurs, and introduced me into a whole new way of thinking and strategizing.

The Elevated Collective is a woman-owned & operated event company helping visionary businesses worldwide create connections through live event experiences. We offer three incredible services to support businesses at each stage of their event planning journey; 1:1 Full Service Planning, 3-Month Consulting, and VIP Intensives.

We know the true impact a live event experience can have on a person and a community. We pour our hearts into every event + retreat because we know we are helping create change! Our clients have a beautiful vision and we work together to bring that vision to life through collaboration, creativity, and purpose.

Our core mission is to help curate more connections, conversations, communities, and impact in the world.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people in my life that have helped me get to where I am today. It definitely takes a village. A few people I would love to shoutout are: my boyfriend, Shawn, for being my rock and sounding board for ALL my crazy ideas, my family for being a great support system throughout this entrepreneurial journey, my life & business coaches (Amber Lilyestrom & Kate Perkovic) for helping me in every season with guidance and mentorship, and my amazing team (Sarah, Amber, Rosa, Ashleigh) for helping me and our clients with the BEST care and service.

Website: www.theelevatedcollective.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna.gryglewska/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-gryglewska/

Image Credits
Chris Tyre Lauren Elizabeth Films Amanda Libby

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