Many people do not know this about me but my dream job is to
one day plan events for Paris Fashion Week. I am currently learning French, and
expanding my event planning education. This past September, I was able to live
out my Sex and the City Dream (sort of) in the big city for Fashion Week
Spring/Summer 2018. I set working for New York Fashion Week as a short term
goal that will eventually help in achieving my Long Term Goal of doing events
for Paris Fashion Week.
Ever Since I started my Career in Events I knew I wanted to
do events on a Larger Scale. I dreamed of attending Fashion Weeks and Award
Shows all over the world and being able to listen to people marvel over the
work I have done coordinating these events. So I said, “enough dreaming, let’s
start doing.” I sent my resume over to a few different companies, booked my
flight and Headed to New York.
Instantly when I arrived it was very late, dark, and air was
thick of urine. Yes, Piss! I’m not sure if it was sewer day or what, but it was
a smell that you could not get away from. I thought to myself, what have I got
myself into. I ordered my Uber and headed to Manhattan. Once I drove a bit the
smell started to ease up and I begin to see the beautiful city light up. All of
the designers, Duane Reads (Which is a fancy name for Walgreens BTW), Sky Scrapers,
and Billboards made you feel like you were in a movie. It was a lot to take in
but I was determined to do so in 6 days.
I also enjoyed the cat-calling. Yes, there are men who go
out of their way to tell you how beautiful you are, on every block. So many
people complain about it but I think it is the sweetest thing. They were the
main people I would ask directions from. Them and the gorgeous men wearing
suits catching public transportation.
I was picked up by 3 different companies and assisted the
coordination of 7 shows. Yes your girl was grinding. I was late to half of the
call times though. I just could not figure out the subway to save my life. I
started giving myself 2 hours to get from venue to venue. I finally met some
friends who helped me towards the end, now I’m a pro.
If you are into Thrill-styled Rollercoasters, take a Taxi in
Manhattan. Those Speed Demons are quick but there is a good chance that you will
feel like you are about to die. The driving is so bad, yet they maneuver around
one another pretty good. I took one and decided my life and wallet would benefit
more from taking the Subway or Uber.
This trip to New York taught me so much about myself. I’ve
always been a go-getter but for the first time in my life I was able to use the
talent, education, and passion that I gained for myself to make a dream of mine
come true. I did not have an inside connect, my parents did not know someone,
there was no affirmative action, my hard work earned me this experience. It was
an experience that money could not buy, and I am a better person because of it!
I made this post and video to say this. It is so important
for you to know what your end goal is. It is great to dream, but if you really
want to achieve your dream, you will have to set goals that line up with that
dream. How can you be an expert event planner, but you only have experience
planning birthday parties for 10 guest and under? That does not make you an expert
that just makes you good at planning small birthday parties. If you are not
willing to be an expert in the things you are most passionate about, be
prepared to be mediocre until you decide to make a change. Be prepared to be
restless, and anxious about your future until you start making time for your
passion. The only thing stopping you from your own greatness is you!
Sincerely,
Mariyah Carrie Bradshaw