Dress for Success Vancouver events are about to get even prettier – thanks to Janeil MacKay. Janeil is partnering with us at our signature events and giving back with her vision, talent, sequins, and belief that female empowerment is crucial to success.
We had a chance to sit down with Janeil and discuss her journey with Dress for Success Vancouver.
I would tell myself to worry less about each event and know that things always work out in the end. Life never works out the way you thought but it always works out to the way it was supposed to be! Its hard to let that go and accept what life throws at you!
What was the catalyst that pushed you to go out on your own and start your own business?
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and have never been afraid to try new things. I had an event business when I was in my early 20’s and had a blast! After a successful corporate career I thought it was time to try another venture. I had reached that glass ceiling and felt now was the time to take that leap of faith, so I started the floral business and eventually purchased the décor business to provide that one stop shop my customers are always looking for.
Self Care is important for everyone, especially one woman shows like yourself. What are your tips for putting yourself first during wedding season?
It is hard being a driven individual in an industry that strives for perfection. You are always trying to make sure your client’s events are perfect, so with that comes long days/weeks, weekends not spent with your children and missed opportunities with friends and family!! Not to mention stress you put yourself under on event day working tirelessly to ensure the client’s day is magical! So it is imperative to try and stop and smell the roses (so to speak). I sometimes have to schedule in that time or sneak away from the office for an hour or two and grab a coffee, make a lunch date with an old friend, whatever it is that is good for your soul. It’s truly all about the little stolen moments that keep me going.
What stands out for you as the most remarkable event that you have planned?
I would actually have to say my own wedding! It actually led me to where I am today. I didn’t have the décor side of the business yet just the florist. I had a vision for my big day and it just came easy for me to organize and plan. I knew what I wanted and I just ran with it. I am very creative and able to see the end result with little or no information. I think that’s one of my strengths, to be able to gather my clients ideas/visuals and come up with a look/style for their big day! I think my clients learn very quickly I have their back and I have everything under control. I know after I had executed my own wedding and how successful and stress free It was, I realized that I could help others with their big day!
I have been involved and supported Dress for Success over the last 20 years, as a student studying fashion and interior design I would volunteer and help DFS when I could. I enjoyed being a part of the program as it was all about giving back to our community and supported women in a way that was so important. I was excited when DFS reached out to me to help enhance their community events and put their best face forward. I am so excited to be a part of the team and love helping out in a totally different way.
The hardest thing in business is hiring good people! You can’t do everything yourself, so you must build a strong network of great people to work with you. My team is primarily women and are a creative driven group. I have had to have some tough conversations with people especially when it’s not the right fit, but that’s what it is all about being the boss lady! I am always looking for good people, thats the key to success when you own a small business, always look for the gems in the crowd and hang on to them when you find them. They are worth their weight in gold.
Being a Special Events Decor Maven that specializes in the wow factor, have you ever met a sequin you didn’t like?
I have to say I have never met a sequin/chiffon/organza I didn’t like. I think having a fashion design background has helped me come up with new styles of draping, new ways to present centrepieces or new backdrop fabrics. My passion for this business has evolved over the years and keeps me coming back for more!