After I launched this new golden site last week, the comments began flooding in and the love was spreading and frankly, I'm still overwhelmed with gratitude for all your kind words. It still feels surreal, like I'm having a dance party every day wondering when someone will come stop the music. Thankfully, no one has yet :)
This past weekend, I did something I'd never done: I printed up all these cutie photos of all of you, had my fabulous designer Rae create these adorable collateral pieces and I headed over to the Jewish Community Center's Celebration & Gift Showcase. To be quite honest, I felt a little unprepared. Looking around the room, there was dozens upon dozens of vendors who were seasoned pros. And there I was, in all my gold heart confetti glory, hoping to make an impact too. I must have, because the very next day, I had two calls on my fancy business line from potential clients regarding their son or daughter's mitzvah in 2013. #grateful
I'll be honest, the first time I stepped foot in Temple Israel in 2009, I was wide-eyed and ready for anything. From the moment Sophia began her Torah portion, I could not stop weeping. And then Andy and Norah gave their speech as her parents and I lost it. Thank goodness for the "you must stay in the balcony" rule because I was a mess! Coming from a background of faith and religious tradition, I have so much respect for anyone willing to stand up for their beliefs on their own accord. And being 13 and in the height of such an emotional time, to say the least. I loved every minute.
And then there's a party. Oh boy, is there a party. Imagine the best wedding reception you've ever been to, the best house party, the best anything with music and dancing and glowsticks and then amplify it by infinity. That's what these mitzvah parties are. Teenagers singing at the top of their lungs to Bieber, Jepsen, Gaga, One Direction, you name it. Plus, I've learned so many cool dance moves over these last three years. That alone, friends, is worth it.
When I arrived at Sophia's party, my friend and second shooter Danny Guy came running up to me, grabbed my arm and we dashed into the Coffman Union. "They're almost out of Pixie Stix powder! These kids are CRAAAZY!" You guys, this is no joke. Giant Pixie Sticks, a photobooth, a dance performance by Sophia and her friends, mini-food-everything and a giant cupcake bar? I was in heaven.
After spending time with Sophia and her family, they tugged at my heart strings and I literally prayed I would get another gig like that soon.
Apparently, word spreads fast and almost immediately, I met Gail. OH Gail, my marketing maven. The absolute sweetest woman of all time. She knows EVERYONE and if I had a dollar for every time my phone rang and I heard, "Gail told me I should call you...." I'd be rich enough to buy my own Pixie Stix machine. She's incredible. I've worked with her family for both Ana and Michael's mitzvahs and spending time with their family for those short hours made my heart almost burst.
If there's one thing I've learned the last few years spending time in the Jewish community, it's this: they will do absolutely everything for their families and for the sake of others. There's an overwhelming feeling of acceptance, love and tradition that I've yet to find in other communities. I'm 100% behind this idea, after all, I'm marketing my entire business on the idea of love and families!
One last thought: I've heard half a dozen thirteen year olds speak about values like love, respect, trust, philanthropy and acceptance over the last three years and these kids mean it. Their honesty and vulnerability and the overwhelming confidence with which they communicate is unmatched. These kids are those who give their mitzvah money to serve other kids in countries around the world. When was the last time you met a thirteen year old who did that? The heart of these kids makes my heart swell and propels me to give even more.
So enough of my words. You'll be meeting Sophia, Michael, Margot, Claire and Jacob in the weeks ahead and I'm just giddy with anticipation! You'll also meet my friends from A-List Entertainment (Hi Ross!) and Simply Entertaining (Hi Keith!) - plus a few other surprises I've got up my sleeve.
These images are from Ana's Bat Mitzvah two years ago (the kids look so young here!), but I wanted to get something up on this new spot on the Internet so ya'll can start to love these families too. And someday, maybe someday, I'll get in that chair for the Horah too :)
ps. If you're a mom or dad looking for more information on my mitzvah pricing, click here!
xoxo,
syd