{"id":8818,"date":"2016-04-14T15:01:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-14T20:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/?p=8818"},"modified":"2016-04-14T15:01:18","modified_gmt":"2016-04-14T20:01:18","slug":"graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek","title":{"rendered":"Graduate Feature: Chelsea Steffek"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"overflow: auto\">\n<div class=\"half-1\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Chelsea-Steffek_ed_ed.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8855\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"323\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Chelsea-Steffek_ed_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Chelsea Steffek\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Chelsea-Steffek_ed_ed.jpg 323w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Chelsea-Steffek_ed_ed-253x300.jpg 253w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 323px) 100vw, 323px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>Photographer: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.algawlikphotography.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Al Gawlik Photography<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"half-2\">\n<p><b>Name:<\/b> Chelsea Steffek<\/p>\n<p><b>Location:<\/b> Texas &amp; NYC<\/p>\n<p><b>Program:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/online-event-courses\/event-and-wedding-planning\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Certified International Event &amp; Wedding Planning Professional (IEWP)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Website:<\/b> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.iloveweddingandeventdesign.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.iloveweddingandeventdesign.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/iLoveWeddingandEventDesign\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a><\/b> \/ <b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/iloveweddingandeventdesign\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a><\/b> \/ <b><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/iluveventdesign\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a><\/b>\/ <b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/iluveventdesign\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pinterest<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek\/#Tell_us_a_little_bit_about_yourself\" >Tell us a little bit about yourself.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek\/#What_made_you_decide_to_start_a_career_as_a_professional_in_the_wedding_and_event_industry\" >What made you decide to start a career as a professional in the wedding and event industry?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek\/#Your_businesss_name_iLove_is_so_creative_How_did_you_come_up_with_it\" >Your business\u2019s name, iLove, is so creative! How did you come up with it?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek\/#We_notice_youre_a_floral_designer_as_well_as_a_wedding_planner_What_are_the_perks_of_offering_this_additional_service_to_your_clients_Are_there_any_challenges\" >We notice you\u2019re a floral designer as well as a wedding planner. What are the perks of offering this additional service to your clients? Are there any challenges?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek\/#Youre_based_in_Texas_but_youve_also_got_a_branch_of_your_business_in_New_York_How_did_that_happen\" >You\u2019re based in Texas, but you\u2019ve also got a branch of your business in New York! How did that happen?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek\/#What_are_some_highlights_of_your_career_so_far\" >What are some highlights of your career so far?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek\/#How_did_your_coursework_prepare_you_for_working_in_the_field\" >How did your coursework prepare you for working in the field?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek\/#What_advice_would_you_give_to_someone_just_starting_out_with_their_training_or_career\" >What advice would you give to someone just starting out with their training or career?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/2016\/04\/graduate-feature-chelsea-steffek\/#What_do_you_think_the_future_holds_for_you_and_your_business\" >What do you think the future holds for you and your business?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_us_a_little_bit_about_yourself\"><\/span>Tell us a little bit about yourself.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I am a wife to a wonderful husband of 3 years and a new mother to an amazing 3-month-old little boy. My husband and I are having so much fun watching him grow!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>When I am not working, I love spending time with my family, walking our 2 Labrador retrievers (Max &amp; Bella), catching up on some favorite TV Shows (Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, Blindspot, and Fixer Upper, to name a few), working out, sports, and traveling!<\/p>\n<p>My husband and I love to experience new places and cultures. Traveling and planning trips is one of our favorite things to do! We can\u2019t wait to start taking our little boy along with us as he gets older. We both own our own businesses, so I get to have my husband help me with most of my events. He is the muscle behind the scenes! We are a great team! He knows exactly how I work and need things done so I love having him there. Plus, it allows us to spend some time together even when I am working.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_made_you_decide_to_start_a_career_as_a_professional_in_the_wedding_and_event_industry\"><\/span>What made you decide to start a career as a professional in the wedding and event industry?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I love marketing and advertising and, like most college students do after they graduate, I began job searching. I have also always had a love for weddings and events, but I never thought about it as a career. As I was job searching one day, I ran across a wedding planning job and thought <i>that would be really fun!<\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/AmandaColton-754_ed.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8824\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"672\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/AmandaColton-754_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Chelsea Steffek wedding\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8824\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/AmandaColton-754_ed.jpg 672w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/AmandaColton-754_ed-300x178.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>Photographer: <a href=\"http:\/\/sarahgossphotography.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sarah Goss Photography<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<p>I applied and actually got offered the job but when looking over everything, I realized that I would basically be starting my own business in my \u201cterritory\u201d with the use of this established business name. This is fine for most, but my big plan was to start my own business one day. If I took this position, the non-compete clause would\u2019ve kept me from doing that since I would\u2019ve had to be out of the industry for two years if I ever left.<\/p>\n<p>After looking at the big picture, I did a lot of thinking, praying, and advice-seeking. With the help of my parents at the time, I decided to step out of my \u201ccomfort zone\u201d and start my own business at the age of 23. They both told me\u2026 \u201cChelsea, if your goal is to eventually start your own business then why don\u2019t you just do it now instead of waiting?\u201d My dad had started his own business and was very successful, so I had the guidance I needed to get started on the right foot. I also had a degree in Business and an entrepreneurial spirit, so I was able to start putting that to work in a different way than I had ever expected!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP568_ed.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8832\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"672\" height=\"413\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP568_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Wedding table decor by Chelsea Steffek\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8832\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP568_ed.jpg 672w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP568_ed-300x184.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>Photographer: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leoevidente.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Leo Evidente Photographers<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<p><p>I wasn\u2019t sure where to begin, so I did some research and decided to get certified as a wedding &amp; event planner through the QC School of Event &amp; Wedding Planning. I had not planned my own wedding (or even met my husband yet!) so I knew I needed some education on the process, and the rest is history! After getting certified, my wedding planning business began in December of 2010 and we implemented floral design as an additional service in 2013.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_businesss_name_iLove_is_so_creative_How_did_you_come_up_with_it\"><\/span>Your business\u2019s name, iLove, is so creative! How did you come up with it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I actually started out as \u201cWeddings &amp; Events by Chelsea\u201d and did all of my own marketing, business cards, and website, but as I started to grow, my business name and brand needed to grow. I couldn\u2019t see \u201cWeddings &amp; Events by Chelsea\u201d on the big scale and in advertising, so I decided to re-brand my business. It was a BIG decision and I wanted to do it the right way with a name that I was proud of and that represented \u201cme\u201d and what my business stood for\u2026 And that is where iLove was created!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP085_ed.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8827\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"672\" height=\"404\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP085_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Chelsea Steffek wedding\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8827\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP085_ed.jpg 672w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP085_ed-300x180.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>Photographer: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leoevidente.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Leo Evident Photographers<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<p>I truly LOVE what I do\u2026 I love my family, friends, clients, and my business. The name was available, so I took it and ran with it. It was finally a name that I could see on the \u201cBig Scale\u201d and I was very happy with it. I had a vision of the brand and I found a great company that helped me bring that to life in the logo we have now!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"We_notice_youre_a_floral_designer_as_well_as_a_wedding_planner_What_are_the_perks_of_offering_this_additional_service_to_your_clients_Are_there_any_challenges\"><\/span>We notice you\u2019re a floral designer as well as a wedding planner. What are the perks of offering this additional service to your clients? Are there any challenges?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Adding floral was a BIG step for me. This was something that was way out of my \u201ccomfort zone\u201d at first. My sister-in-law was the expert in this area and taught me what I needed to know and from there, the floral designing began. It has been a great addition to our business! I love the creativity involved in designing a wedding or event with floral. It brings so much life and color and can truly transform a space! This part of my business really challenges and pushes me to grow and learn with each new wedding.<\/p>\n<p>It is also great to be able to offer planning AND floral OR just planning or just floral to a client. It gives them options, which they love and we do too!!<\/p>\n<div style=\"overflow: auto\">\n<div class=\"half-1\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Blincoe_Polidore_Nessa_K_Photography_sarahandjohn496_low_ed2.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8838\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"323\" height=\"485\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Blincoe_Polidore_Nessa_K_Photography_sarahandjohn496_low_ed2.jpg\" alt=\"Floral design by Chelsea Steffek\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Blincoe_Polidore_Nessa_K_Photography_sarahandjohn496_low_ed2.jpg 323w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Blincoe_Polidore_Nessa_K_Photography_sarahandjohn496_low_ed2-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 323px) 100vw, 323px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>Photographer: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nessakphotography.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ness K Photography<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"half-2\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/gawlik-139-of-211_ed.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8840\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"323\" height=\"485\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/gawlik-139-of-211_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Floral design by Chelsea Steffek\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8840\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/gawlik-139-of-211_ed.jpg 323w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/gawlik-139-of-211_ed-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 323px) 100vw, 323px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>Photographer: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.algawlikphotography.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Al Gawlick Photography<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Youre_based_in_Texas_but_youve_also_got_a_branch_of_your_business_in_New_York_How_did_that_happen\"><\/span>You\u2019re based in Texas, but you\u2019ve also got a branch of your business in New York! How did that happen? <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When I was in college, I participated in the Washington Semester Program in Washington, D.C.. It was an amazing experience! My roommates and I became great friends and one of them moved to NYC upon graduating from college. She contacted me last year and expressed interest in the planning industry and wanted to get certified. We spoke quite a bit about everything and decided to open up a branch in NYC.<\/p>\n<p>She received her IEWP certification through the QC School of Event &amp; Wedding Planning and upon getting certified, she came down to Texas to work some weddings and get some \u201creal\u201d wedding experience. We have really enjoyed this addition in the North East and Melissa has hit the ground running in her area!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP582_ed.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8834\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"672\" height=\"428\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP582_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Place setting by Chelsea Steffek\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP582_ed.jpg 672w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP582_ed-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>Photographer: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leoevidente.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Leo Evidente Photographers<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_some_highlights_of_your_career_so_far\"><\/span>What are some highlights of your career so far?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are so many! But if I had to pick a few it would be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>My very first wedding! It was such a great experience and really showed me I was doing something I loved.<\/li>\n<li>A destination wedding we did on Catalina Island off the coast of California. This was such a fun wedding and we love traveling, so it was the best of both worlds!<\/li>\n<li>Adding floral design in 2013!<\/li>\n<li>Expanding to NYC in 2015!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_did_your_coursework_prepare_you_for_working_in_the_field\"><\/span>How did your coursework prepare you for working in the field?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I loved taking the course! It challenged me and pushed me to work my way through planning a full wedding from start to finish. It also prepared me for things that may come up in the planning or on the Day Of that I may not have thought of before. Each wedding\/event is different with its own unique set of challenges, so it is best to be prepared for any tasks that may arise!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Rummel-166-copy_ed.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8844\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"672\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Rummel-166-copy_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Wedding reception setup by Chelsea Steffek\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Rummel-166-copy_ed.jpg 672w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Rummel-166-copy_ed-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>Photographer: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.monicarphotography.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Monica Roberts Photography<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_advice_would_you_give_to_someone_just_starting_out_with_their_training_or_career\"><\/span>What advice would you give to someone just starting out with their training or career?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cIf you can dream it, you can achieve it!\u201d I read this saying while I was starting my business and it stuck. It is so true! There are so many times when we underestimate ourselves or think we can\u2019t do something because we are too young or are too inexperienced. The fact is, we can do anything we set our minds to. I never thought I would\u2019ve started a business at the age of 23, but thankfully I had someone tell me that I could do it. Once I truly believed I could, great things started to happen! Dream Big \ud83d\ude42 You CAN do it!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP585_ed.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8842\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"672\" height=\"448\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.qceventplanning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP585_ed.jpg\" alt=\"Tabletop by Chelsea Steffek\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8842\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP585_ed.jpg 672w, https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/ChristineLukexLEP585_ed-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 672px) 100vw, 672px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i>Photographer: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leoevidente.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Leo Evidente Photographers<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_you_think_the_future_holds_for_you_and_your_business\"><\/span>What do you think the future holds for you and your business?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>We are growing more and more every year! I think it is so important to let iLove grow at its own pace\u2014not too fast, not too slow. I see great things in our future and we are very excited to see what is in store for us! Possibly expanding into new locations \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<h3 align=\"center\"><i>Inspired by Chelsea&#8217;s story? All of QC&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qceventplanning.com\/online-event-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wedding and event planning courses<\/a> will give you the industry knowledge and business know-how you need to start your own event planning career!<\/i><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>QC graduate Chelsea Steffek never imagined she&#8217;d be starting her own business by the age of 23. Find out how she did it!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":8857,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[349],"class_list":["post-8818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-graduate-features"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v26.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Graduate Feature: Chelsea Steffek - Pointers for Planners<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"QC graduate Chelsea Steffek never imagined she&#039;d be starting her own wedding and event planning business by the age of 23. 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