New YEAR.. wow! It's been awhile!

I can't believe it's been so long since I last wrote here. WOW! It's crazy how life happens and next thing you know, it's another year. My Gosh, 2014 went by fast, too fast. It really really did. My year ended (and it still lingered on to 2015) with a Fever and a cough.

For some people, they may enjoy being sick at home because they get sick time or they get to sleep in.... I cannot, for the life of me, sleep in, even if I wanted to.

2014 Review and Recap.
Man, it was a hard year for me personally in many ways. I didn't feel as though I was Happy. I didn't feel as though I want to be where I dreamed I would be at my age. 

{ Happy 9th Birthday, Especially Yours!}

Dear “EY”:

Happy Birthday Especially Yours! Wow! Can you believe we made it to Nine years together? I can’t believe it myself. It feels like yesterday when I had the conversation with Bernie with Creative Floral Designs in Los Angeles about starting my own business. I was 24 years old and had a full time medical sales career going. I had so much fun traveling from State to States, having my weekends free, having all my expenses paid for and life was great!

Nine year later, I am a small business owner and still love every minute of it. Yes, there are days when I look back and think how much it was easier when I had a 9-5PM job, but I don't have any regrets. Happy Happy 9th Birthday, EY! 

Honestly, I never thought this would be full time career. I knew nothing of the wedding industry. Most of my friends worked in the corporate world, and I only knew Bernie in LA, who helped me so much in the beginning.

My first wedding was at Yank Sing, but luckily that day, we had 3 weddings on the first day of this company. The second wedding was at Palace Hotel where I met my very good friend Karen Miyanaga. The third event was a baby shower. We started with 500 Chair Covers from the first wedding. Today we have over 4,000 chair covers and also extended our inventory to include: Linens and Chivari Chairs. 

Venue: Marines Memorial Club

Back then, I remember going to all the events, taking the chair covers to a laundry mat with Daddy and then ironing them at night. It was so much work! And I still had a full time job! 

Since then all my little cousins and best friends (every boyfriend! ha!) also pitched in to help setting up weddings w/ me. Hehe. I feel so lucky to have the support of my family and close loved ones. Today, I have an amazing set up crew, logistics manager and warehouse manager who helps me run the company :)

We exhibited at bridal faire where we met brides and grooms, and soon we started working with hotels, golf courses and restaurants. I became the Program’s Chairsperson and Co-chairperson for NACE which really helped us in the events industry. That’s where I got to meet a lot of event professionals and so blessed they became clients and friends.

Since 2004 and in less than 2 years, I gave up my full time medical sales career and ran EY full time. From my small in-law apartment, we moved to a 800 square foot warehouse and today, we occupy a 4,500 space in the Mission District.

We’ve done some amazing events and worked with the best wedding planners in the country.  Our chair covers have been featured in magazines, television and even made a debut at the 2010 World Series Championship Game in San Francisco. That was one of my most memorable moments. 

We have 105 Yelp Reviews with a 5 Star Rating! Feels great to know our clients appreciates us! 

People tell me all the time how great it must feel to be a Small business owner. But it’s not easy. It’s never easy. You have to work harder than you ever did, but it’s achievable and attainable.

I’m just a girl – just like you and me who has a vision of early retirement and enjoying life with your love ones and family. Don’t ever take your eyes off your goals. You’ll get there.

To all my EY Brides and Grooms, Venues, Clients, Mentors, friends and love ones who supported me and Especially Yours Chair Covers – THANK YOU from the Bottom of my Heart.  I can’t believe nine years went by so fast.  I am truly grateful for all the business referrals and friendships we made all these years.

Photo Credit: Ricky Wong with W Photography

Venue: Westin St. Francis Hotel

Cheers to many many more years together on this journey.

{Much love to bby143}

{Personal} EY's Sister...QUA FOOT SPA (Part One)

Dearest Readers: 

How fast the year is more than half way over! Hope The Year of the Dragon has been kind to everyone. I'm thrilled to announce my 2nd Business, QUA FOOT SPA at SOMA GRAND.

Most people ask me Why this business? and how did you get the name? Personally, I love Tea and I love massages, so why not? :) We started this project back in October 2011, where my good friend, Tim Tran of The Ivy Group Commercial Real Estate help me secure this location. Then, we hired Lisa Iwamoto and Craig Scott of IWAMAMOTOSCOTT Architecture  to help design my dream come true. Construction began in January and we officially launched our Soft Grand Opening on June 28, 2012.

I can honestly tell you it's not been easy. There were so many things about owning a "Retail Business" that I had absolutely no clue. Budgets for construction, hiring staff, picking out the color of the wall, the bathroom walls (we changed it 3x's!), perforated graphic walls, buying a cash register, computer, sound, etc..the list goes on.

In May, I attended the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas, where I was introduced to exactly that...the WORLD of Tea. I was fortunate to bring home new knowledge and new Tea's to introduce to my clients at QUA.

For the entire month of June - July, we are having a "Pre-Grand Opening" Special. It's $39 for the first hour of massage. Come and check us out, and you won't be disappointed.  For now, I'm really enjoying meeting my new friends/neighbors at SOMA GRAND.

I can't wait to connect with the Neighborhood of Mid-Market and share more photos with you at the next post.

On another personal level, The entire project of QUA is dedicated someone very special to me.. 

little BB. I miss you and love you, always in my heart.

Interior of QUA FOOT SPA

We are already on YELP! :) Read our Reviews  Here :) 

{Vendor Love: Appovio.com}

If you need web application/site, mobile app design & development, Flash demos/applications, logo and graphics design at reasonable prices, get in touch with my good friend @appoviollc@gmail.com.


Visit them at: http://www.appovio.com

{Vendor Love: JBEAUTIQUE, and her upcoming Beauty Workshop, May 26!

Recently I had the pleasure of partnering up with Joey Cheung, of JBEAUTIQUE, Hair & Make up artist for my new 2012 Headshots for marketing purposes.
(secretly, I dying to have Joey work her magic on me, so let's just say, I needed a new look ;). I visited her South San Francisco Studio and made a 10AM appointment. 
Traffic was easy and Parking was not a problem. 

I arrived with my 2 outfits for the Day, and consulted with Joey on the look and feel I wanted on my pictures. She understood my Vision and got 
me started right away with my Hair and Make up.
(yeeeeeee, new look, so happy, calm down, calm down ;)

90 minutes later, I was comfortable and I was ready for the day. Joey truly made me feel like it was my Big Day, so I can only imagine what all the Brides go through when they get their hair & make up done.

Before I proceed with the photos, I wanted to also give a testimony of why you should hire Joey Cheung as your Hair & Make Up artist for your Wedding Day.

1) She does a great job! (I didn't want to take my make up off)

2) I kept smiling throughout the day, because of the way I look. Thank you, Joey.

3) She's a professional who knows it all. Hair, Make up, Skincare. Just ask her anything.

4) As a loving mother herself, she naturally cares about you, and wants you to feel your best!

Lastly, on May 26, 2012 - Joey is hosting a Workshop, limited to only 3 lucky ladies! Inquire about her services now, and congratulations on your Big Day!

JBeautique

Contact: 650.430.5917

Email: joey@jbeautique.com

Below are a few photos, Courtesy of Chung Li Photography. 

Getting ready, starting with my Hair in Rollers.

 Loved my Hair & my natural make up! 

 After we were done, we took a few photos to remind ourselves:

Always to Laugh, Have Fun and Eat WELL! 

Thank you Joey for an amazing experience! My Hair and Make Up lasted a total of 12 Hours, as I had an event at the end of the day to attend to. 

JBEAUTIQUE's Workshop information:

and here it is, my 2012 official headshot. thanks Joey Cheung & Fern Lee! 

More photos coming soon from Fern Lee Photography! 

{Venues we LOVE} Marines Memorial Club

 If you're ever considering downtown San Francisco, here's a beautiful ballroom on Sutter Street, the Historic Marines Memorial Club. Affordable prices (at non-profit rates), tall Ceilings, Large Windows, Great food and Hotel rooms for the out of town guests.

Special Thanks to Kevin Chin Photography for the Beautiful Photos.

Chair Covers: Self Tie Ivory Lamour Chair Covers by Especially Yours Chair Covers

To Book: Weddings & Social Events

Contact: Jennifer Chin, Wedding Sales Manager 

Tel: (415) 673-6672 ext. 264

E-mail: jenniferchin@marineclub.com

Sales Office Direct Line: (415) 441-8562

Commandants Ballroom

{Venues we LOVE} Marines Memorial Club

 If you're ever considering downtown San Francisco, here's a beautiful ballroom on Sutter Street, the Historic Marines Memorial Club. Affordable prices (at non-profit rates!), Tall Ceilings, great food and hotel rooms for the out of town guests.

Special Thanks to Kevin Chin Photography for the Beautiful Photos.

Chair Covers: Self Tie Ivory Lamour Chair Covers by Especially Yours Chair Covers

To Book: Weddings & Social Events

Contact: Jennifer Chin, Wedding Sales Manager 

Tel: (415) 673-6672 ext. 264

E-mail: jenniferchin@marineclub.com

Sales Office Direct Line: (415) 441-8562

Commandants Ballroom

{Real Wedding: VY + TELEMACHUS - Westin St. Francis Hotel}

The Wedding of Vy & Telemachus is definitely a combination of Glamorous & Sexy (and I'm just talking about our Bride :) Her color Palette: Charcoal Grey and Fushia, sets the tone beautifully. Not to mention the Gorgeous Florals by the Talented NICOLE HA.

Another Favorite Vendor, Photographer Thai Mai did an amazing job to help me relieve the moment, as if it was just yesterday. 

Venue: Westin St. Francis, San Francisco

335 Powell Street. 
San Francisco
Tel: (415) 774-0126

Let's just begin with the Super Adorable Ring Bearer and Flower Girl :)  

The Ceremony

Her Beautiful Gown

Silver Chivari Chairs by Especially Yours, LLC

Beautiful Florals by Nicole Ha

Super Cute Shoes and Matching Sunglasses!

LOVE THIS!!!!

even the back of her dress is sexy! Love it!

Want to see more of their Wedding? Check out Thai Mai Photographer's BLOG! 

Thanks to Thai Mai for the photos!