October 17, 2019
There’s A First Time For Everything
On Sunday 6th May 2018, I attended my first wedding expo in Geelong. Prior to attending, I was very hesitant about booking a stand. I was so hesitant, that I did not finalise the booking finalise until four days prior to the event.
I didn’t know what to expect. I was told by people within the industry not to expect much in the way of bookings or potential clients and to use the day as a chance to network.
On the day of the expo I was nervous as I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. However, I was willing to jump in head first and take the chance. We spent many hours creating and designing a stand that would represent me well.
The truth is I relied on friends and family to help me pull my stand together as on my own I would not have got the look I desired. I can plan a wedding no drama, but sorting out the promotion to promote myself was daunting (Crazy…. I know).
As I got to the expo I noticed what felt like 100’s of other celebrants and I momentarily thought that I wouldn’t stand a chance. I was intimidated by those who were born and bred in Geelong, knew many people in the region and had been operating in the area as a celebrant for years. And here was me, with less than three years in Australia.
Whilst being consumed by negativity, I recalled the voices of my friends and family telling me “use your point of difference, you will stand out, there is nobody like you”. I have never really appreciated my point of difference – being a black man in an arena dominated by white women.
By the time the many people started arriving I fully embraced my difference. I relaxed and enjoyed myself, so much so, I was making jokes at my own expense. Some people were initially unsure whether to even laugh at my commentary…political correctness gone mad? If you can’t laugh at yourself who can you laugh at? I truly appreciate everyone who embraced me.
I had a great time meeting other wonderful and friendly celebrants, wedding suppliers and the hundreds of people I would have never met if I didn’t show up at the expo. More importantly, I got bookings on the SPOT. I was told outright, this wouldn’t happen. It appears my point of difference was not only welcomed but long overdue and refreshing.
It’s ok to be you, its ok to be different and want something different, it’s ok to put yourself into situations that statistics & society doesn’t expect you to be in. It doesn’t change who you are – it enhances YOU! A point of difference can be a wonderful thing and makes our world so much more interesting. Never allow your point of difference to hinder your potential. Embrace your point of difference and use it to your advantage.
Needless to say, I will definitely be back at the Geelong Wedding Expo next year.
