I first wrote this in 2024, but never published it. I am updating it in 2025, as I freak out about my next event!
Hey You.
Yes, you.
Calm down.
Everything will be alright, I promise.
I know from experience that hosting an event can be stressful. Instead of thinking of what will go right, if you’re like me, you’ll inevitably think of everything that could go wrong: What if it rains? What if a vendor pulls out. What if *GASP* NOONE SHOWS UP?!?!
10 days ago, I hosted my 4th annual Bomb Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week. Days before the event, my stomach was in knots thinking of the many what ifs. There are so many moving parts, so many things that can and will go wrong, but I’m here to simply let you know that you’re gonna be ok.
Here are my tips on how to not freak out + remain cool and calm under pressure:
1.Speak Positively About Your Event
Before my event, I expressed to many people that I was anxious about controlling the people at the door. I wanted to make sure everyone had their seat– I spent 4 hours before the event manually assigning people to seats. The doors were supposed to open at 6pm and at 6:30pm, I got a text from a junior event planner, asking, “When should we let general admission in?” The girls at the door didn’t pay any attention to what I had done to ensure seating was a smooth process, and it was a disaster. You plan, GOD laughs, but your words carry weight. Sometimes the thing you speak about most manifests, so only say positive things. It can’t hurt!
2.Expect last minute issues
Leave it to me to go to fashion shows during fashion week–and the day before I have my own event! While I was sitting at the Christian Siriano show, I realized that our guests wouldn’t have anywhere to sit because benches we purchased needed to be delivered. We called all around town and thankfully our new venue had chairs. This was the day before our show. Stuff happens, but there is always a solution.
3. Always have a plan B or C
One of our main sponsors was supposed to provide gift bags for our products to go into, but on the day of the show, said gift bags were nowhere to be found. We turned to Instacart and Party City, but it was almost impossible to find 500 uniform gift bags on such short notice. I learned to always order our OWN gift bags, and if we have surplus, we can always use them for our next event! Always have a back up plan just in case.
4.Don’t Focus on those who don’t show up, focus on those WHO DO.
I have a bad habit of looking at those who might not always be supportive. The long time friends who have never come, the celebrity colleagues who always want a post but when I ask for something, there is silence….! Don’t worry about it. Please focus on the positive and on those who support you. Gratitude breeds abundance. And if they can’t experience the magic, it’s their loss.
Also, observe people. I really sometimes think because someone smiles at me that means they’re my friend or they’re a supporter, but if they don’t show their support in action, maybe reevaluate the place they hold in your life. I do this all the time, thinking someone is my friend when they are NOT! Just take note without an ounce of bitterness in your heart, and move on/focus on the ones who hold you down.
5. Don’t Quit
(DISNEY/Jeff Neira)
Right now I am wrangling with headaches and super high blood pressure because I am distraught over so many things. The what ifs, the unknowns, the “Dear GOD, HOW?” questions are racking my brain at night. It honestly does not get easier as the years go on, and sometimes, even when you have a proven track record of success, it’s hard to get the brand/corporate support you need. But as I look up and realize how many events I have successfully executed with limited resources and basically no experience(!), how many celebrities and influencers have rolled through without me asking them to, how many blessings have showered down, I realize that GOD doesn’t give you the vision without having provision. GOD will provide. The Universe will Provide. You can do it!
I’ll never forget, last year. It was the day before the show. We needed to pay the final balance on our venue and they told us we wouldn’t be able to gain access without a 5 figure payment. We didn’t have it. We were awaiting payment from a company that normally pays late and like magic, it came in–right on time! I can’t explain these miracles. When people question my faith or make fun of me (like some of my atheist friends) for believing in GOD, I can only point to events like those to strengthen my belief in Jesus Christ.
When y’all see us smiling in photos you have no idea what we may have gone through to get to the finish line, but that’s our strength. We are resourceful, we are faithful, we do our best. And SHINE, Shine, shine. NO matter what.
So go get ’em.
Love & Light,
*RSVP to the 5th Annual Bomb Fashion Show, going down Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 48 Wall Street. TheBombFashionShow.eventbrite.com.
*Even if you don’t believe in GOD, please believe in yourself. Start there and everything will follow. All you need to do to have faith is to look at how far you’ve come against all odds to know and understand your power, potential, and purpose.
