Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Vasquez Bruton.
Abigail, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
“This love found me.” I worked at the corporate level and also for a public not for profit state college before starting my company. As part of my professional development goals, I was asked to be a part of group planning committees for various types of events or to work as the lead planner in planning Award Ceremonies. I think my organizational skills together with me being a people person have helped me in the past when recruiting volunteers, making connections with outside vendors, working as part of a team and managing many projects in short time frames.
After 9 years of assisting with planning, coordinating and executing events, I realized how much I loved the process. That is why when I am asked, how did you decide to get into this business, I always say: “it was a love affair that found me.” I am new to the industry but not to the process. I truly hope to plan amazing experiences for the rest of my life. There is such a sense of elation when you get to see your work come to fruition. I could not do my work without my amazing, and talented team. We help to create beautiful experiences. From destination weddings, private receptions, annual corporate events to the renewal of vows ceremonies. We bring our clients vision to life with love, passion, creativity and precision.
My mentor Keith Willard who has been in the business for over 20 years has shared his insight and has been an inspiration to me. Thanks to him, I have a clear vision as to where I want to take my company. I have initiatives which involve philanthropic efforts, implementation of the internship program and establishing a hospitality specialized staffing division. Our goal is to deliver exceptional customer service while providing an innovative platform of delivery. Making the planning and event management process more efficient and effective.
We believe that technology is a powerful tool when used strategically to expand our brand, and helps to engage our clients. We are offering a virtual planning experience with the help of App’s and platforms such as Allseated.com, Propared.com, Zoomvideoconferencing, and HelloSign just to name a few. We believe that in order to engage clients, we must be in tune with current and progressive technologies which in turn will create a fabulous and creative experience. One amazing event at a time. A true Signature Event Experience.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been an easy journey being one of the new kids on the block. I think being an entrepreneur is challenging on different levels and can be a bit lonely at times. You need to have strong time management skills, people skills, money management skills and a good business plan to help you stay focused and not lose your excitement about the journey.
Making new connections, bringing prospective clients to venues for site visits and setting appointments with catering managers is a constant. Following up with industry colleagues (vendors) is such an important part of this business as we help to make our businesses a success together. Learning what makes each person unique, what their strength is, and what motivates them is key. This is what helps me select the right team for my clients.
We not only rely on happy clients but happy vendors as well. I firmly believe that vendors are my first clients. Word of mouth referrals are important to our success. But, referrals from team members (vendors) are equally important. Earning trust and support from catering managers, vendors, and clients has been my focus. I strive to always operate at the highest level of service not only to gain clients but to remain in this competitive and ever-changing industry.
Signature Events by Abby – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a boutique planning, management and staffing company based out of Florida. Our staff will travel to most destinations. Our goal is to deliver exceptional customer service while providing an innovative platform of delivery. Making the planning and event management process more efficient and effective. We believe that technology is a powerful tool when used strategically to expand our brand, and engage with our clients. We want to bring about change in delivering live and virtual experiences to our clients using event-specific technology and apps.
We have an internship program to help students in the event and hospitality degree program gain real work experience. We train interns in all areas related to customer service, event planning, networking, and what is most important the day of the event. We work with large corporate companies who also have established internship programs which gives our interns a broader understanding of customer service, marketing, staffing and production.
We offer stand only Entertainment services of various styles of music. J. Leonard Bruton is the Entertainment Services Manager who works with each client to assure that the entire process from introductions to contracting is seamless. Leonard is a musician with over 25 years experience in this industry. He understands the importance of entertainment for your special occasion.
We use platforms such as AllSeated which now offers the experience of creating a Virtual Reality (VR) “look around” of a 3D designed floorplan: https://youtu.be/S6lfYS_ylqU
Engaging our clients with innovative communication tools:
Zoom video conferencing: https://youtu.be/BGH1y70zSkg
Prepared project management tool: https://youtu.be/mqHfKXtfPuo
I am truly honored to be a part of a team that is passionate about creating beautiful memories for our clients. I love helping to connect people and giving college interns real-life work experience. I feel this is one way that I can give back to the community. I have also established a scholarship to help single parents who are either first-time students or students returning to learn a new career.
Providing a unique experience and a fabulous event has truly become my love affair.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
We are only as good as your last event. In knowing this, I like to convene with my staff a few days after events and review details to see where we need to improve, what each person observed, where we should make changes, and did we reach our customer service levels.
Some of the ways that I gauge customer service levels are:
• Reviews from clients
• Reviews from vendors (the team- including entertainers)
• Reviews from Catering Managers, Social Events Coordinators, Banquet Managers, Directors of Catering
• Feedback from venue staff: bartenders, and servers
Customer Service levels:
• efficient and effective communication
• prompt response to an inquiry or problem that arises
• turnaround time for submitting or requesting information, contracts, feedback or payments
• options made available to client, team and coordinator to help make their process efficient
• safety and security of all guests, team and staff
If we receive feedback that says we did not meet a specific customer service level, we find out specifically how this can be improved.
Success to me is a team effort. We are only as good as our teams. Flawless and fabulous events make for happy clients.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6900 Aberdeen Drive Boynton Beach, FL 33472
- Website: www.signatureeventsbyabby.com
- Phone: (786)571-4467
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signatureeventsbyabby
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/signatureeventsbyabby
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/sigeventsinfo
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/SignatureEventsbyAbby
Image Credit:
Lukas G. Photography, Emily Harris Photography, Todd Averette, Four Seasons Palm Beach, Mondrian, Morikami Museum, Seagate Beach Club, Harriett Himmel Theater
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
